Cult. Circuit #005: Popping Bubbles.
Sydney is massive. Let’s make that clearer; the Australian Bureau of Statistics measures Greater Sydney’s size as a little over 12,000 square kilometres – bigger than London, bigger than New York. Writing about ‘Sydney culture’ is uniquely challenging because it encompasses industrial, commercial, rural and dense residential sectors, as well as a technicolour diaspora of cultures within the ≈5.23 million residents.Writing about ‘Sydney’ is tough sometimes, because the name means a lot of things to a lot of people.
I was inspired to write this article when I was having dinner with friends of friends in Castle Hill; they told me how typical and boring it is to read the ‘best cafe’ or ‘best salon’ lists of Sydney all include the usual-suspect suburbs of Bondi, Newtown, Manly, Surry Hills – almost always localised to the East. This struck a chord with me, because of course I love those areas, and maybe have been guilty of this in the past. When writing about ‘Sydney’, of course you want to write what you think is best, but I also thought that the reason there is such a bubble, and because the same areas get shoutouts, is because of writers like me. So, while I do try to get out of the CBD bubble as best I can, I resolved to ensure that when I’m writing about ‘Sydney’, I write about Sydney, not just the usual suspects.
The population and geographical centre of Sydney is, to the surprise of pretty much everyone when they learn this, is Parramatta. This is surprising to more Sydney-siders than you’d think. Yet in the easternmost cut of the City, within a roughly 10 kilometre radius, from Bondi to the Bridge (you know the one), sits virtually all of Sydney’s (and dare I say a significant portion of Australia’s, minus the Gold Coast and the ubiquitous Outback), international presence and pop culture identity. Not exactly novel to a Capital City (ok, ok, State Capital, Canberra’s around here somewhere) but the cultural, infrastructural and socio-economic disparity between larger and smaller corners of Sydney makes venturing beyond your own corner feel like crossing State borders. The generalisation of Sydney areas as points on a compass further affirm the sectionally of it all.
Most notoriously is the Eastern Suburbs, where one can rarely feel the urge to venture beyond the Inner West, the Sutherland Shire or even across the Harbour Bridge. Similar is the North Sydney Bubble, with Manly being the suburb that comes to most people’s minds. These bubbles are dense, affluent, and Sydney’s powerhouses of postcards.
Further north are the Hills and Forest districts. Sprawling suburbia is cushioned in bushland, and with the Metro, as connected and easy to get around as the CBD. A personal note, the air as close as Epping and Cherrybrook just smells fresher there. A blind spot for tourists, it has, in my opinion, some of the most worthwhile places to visit in the City, as well as home to lesser-known national parks.
There’s the Inner West, loved by many (including me) for it’s many live music and counter-culture hotspots. It has a brilliant and welcoming community for fans of everything from authentic southeast Asian cuisine to LGBTQIA+ safe spaces, halls, theatres, and the tranquility of Camperdown Park.
North- and South-West Sydney are too often over-looked by tourists and residents, but it’s there you’ll find Sydney at it’s most culturally-rich. Vietnamese, Iraqi, Lebanese, Assyrian and Cambodian culture thrives, and can be experienced fully through the local cuisine and in the architecture and cultural sites. Just the same, sites of Indigenous Australian culture and heritage can be holistically experienced at depths that can’t be reached in the high-density urbane.
Across Tom Ugly’s Bridge in Sydney’s South you’ll find the Sutherland Shire. A city walled by Australia’s natural beauty, you can move from dense areas of protected natural land into metropolitan bustle at your convenience. It guards the National Park, Cape Solander, Bundeena and countless lookouts and nature paths. In my opinion, it’s winding coastline is worth either the drive or a train on the T4 line.
The Southwest, in the areas around Campbelltown, marks the border between Sydney’s metropolitan area and regional areas of national parks, protected areas and farmland. Pretty far from the city, but absolutely not a reason to write it off entirely. Sites of Indigenous Australian heritage, natural landscape and, I’ll say again, deliciously fresh air that feels like you’re breathing pure oxygen. It’s your escape from the city and
“I’m not the adventurous type”. Is that really true of anyone? Is it really that fun keeping firmly in the familiar? Predictability is comforting, sure, but sooner or later you’ll get bored, or even worse, start wishing you HAD ventured out, taken that road trip. Here are some places to start.
The Circuit.
What’s Popping.
Looking to see Sydney beyond New Year's Fireworks and Bondi Rescue? Want a reason to check out somewhere new, different or exciting? Check out this list of local favs and hidden gems when you’re planning to pop your bubble and take your next venture into the unknown.
Sutherland Shire.
Royal National Park
Roam, wander, hike and explore the second-oldest national park in the world. Great for a drive, a walk, a bush trek or waterfall-hunting, the park is a new world lying just beyond the city.
Bundeena and Jibbon Beach
Beach town to the South; lax, quiet and tranquil, great bakeries and thrifts. What more could you need for a day trip or weekend getaway?
Cape Solander
A stretch of sublime coast to the Shire’s West, saturated with scenic views, lookouts and hidden coves, It seems like it stretches out forever, and by the end you’ll wish it did.
Western Sydney.
Liverpool Powerhouse
Galleries, film, craft and dining in one place. Liverpool Powerhouse (formerly Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre) is a dynamic creative space that offers introspective and immersive installations as well as group and family fun.
Sydney Zoo
Nearby Eastern Creek, the zoo is the perfect reason to discover Sydney’s opportunities for exploring. The picturesque landscape in sits on almost steals the spotlight from the species homed there, many of which are rare and endangered. Modern and accessible, Sydney Zoo is the adventure that you’ve been waiting for.
Auburn Gallipoli Mosque
Gorgeous historical architecture that serves both as a peaceful place of reflection and worship. It’s perfect for a mindful day trip to meet those of committed faith as well as observe Sydney’s diversity.
Cabramatta Freedom Plaza
Integral to Sydney’s cultural landscape and history, Freedom Plaza celebrates Sydney’s multiculturalism, serves as a hotspot for locals and tourists alike, and is a perfect waypoint for cafe and restaurant hopping.
Skyline Drive-In
Sydney’s last drive-in theatre that hosts a weekly market every Sunday. Either going to meet and trade with local vendors and eat authentically-crafted food, or see the latest blockbuster in widescreen.
Southwest Sydney.
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Sitting across 416 hectares, Australia’s Eden of lakes, hills and gardens is great for a day trip out of the city. Never will a garden make you feel so small or so young in the best possible way
Dharawal National Park
On the traditional land of the Dharawal people, this beautiful park shelters waterfalls, hiking trails and an escape from the city.
Northern Sydney.
Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park
Scenic national park set upon the Hawkesbury River, the traditional land of the Darramuragal, offers meaningful connection with country and nature. A must-visit for any appreciation of Australia’s inherent beauty.
Castle Towers
Most people from the north will tell you the best places for food and entertainment aren’t anywhere near the East. Castle Towers has all the luxuries – arcades, casual and fine-dining, and metro line access - as your household Eastern Suburb centres, while being (anecdotal evidence here) markedly cleaner and cheaper.
Museums discovery centre
A partnership between Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS), Australian Museum and Sydney Living Museums, you’ll see private collections, behind-the-scenes of museum curation, near-forgotten pieces of Australian and international history, and find a sense of curiosity you thought you’d lost.
Sydney is more than Bondi, Newtown and Surry Hills. CULT. CIRCUIT #005 pops the familiar bubble and heads further afield, exploring the places, cultures and landscapes that make up a much bigger picture of the city.