January 25, 2012

The Newtown district of Sydney is one of the city’s oldest suburbs. It’s also one of the most popular for students, artists and younger tourists, especially those with a more alternative bent. With King Street – also known as ”Eat Street” - running down the centre of the area, there are no shortages of food, shopping and entertainment.

photo credit: Rob_Wood

Newtown Eat Street

King Street picked up its nickname because of the many bars, cafés, restaurants and venues that line the strip. Cultural fare including Turkish, Pakistani, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese selections are nestled among the many, much loved traditional coffee houses, pizza parlours, burger joints and diners, creating a selection that truly caters for all tastes.

The pubs in this area include historical establishments and themed sports bars, again providing enough choices to suit everyone traveling in your group. Drop by Kelly’s On King, the Marlborough Hotel and the Union Hotel, all of which are on the strip, for great pub grub, like parmas, steak or fish and chips.

Must-See Sightseeing at Newtown

You can’t make the journey to Newtown in Sydney without checking out the local landmarks. The Trocadero Dance Hall is one of the biggest architectural renovations in the area. Throughout its life it has functioned as a cinema, theatre, restaurant and used furniture store. You’ll also want to visit Burland Hall and the Hub Theatre, both of which have a fascinating history.

The Newtown area is best known to the locals for its live music venues and indie artists. Plan to spend at least one evening partying at the Sandringham; be sure to ask for a schedule of upcoming events because there’s always a stream of fantastic bands coming through. It’s hard to go wrong at the much-loved Sando, so there’s little reason to skip an unknown name on the billboard, they may well be the next big thing!

If you’re into more theatrical live performances, you’re in luck; Newtown is home to a number of independent theatres where you can catch local performance artists. The New Theatre has the longest history, but the Newtown and Enmore Theatres also host their share of greatly praised performances.

Festivals and Sporting Events at Newtown

The Newtown Festival is an annual community event with lots of live music, workshops and vendors on the independent music scene. You’ll find it in the Camperdown Memorial Park each November. If you’re visiting in September, you just might stumble upon the Under the Blue Moon Festival. With music, street performers, and other entertainment options, this is the heart of the alterative culture in Sydney.

For a more sophisticated option, try Feastability, the food and wine festival organized by the Marrickville Council. Typically held on the last Sunday in September, Feastibility offers vendor stalls and live entertainment suitable for kids and adults alike.

Sports fans may want to get familiar with the local rugby team, the Newtown Jets. The team plays in nearby Marrickville but matches are often televised and shown to keen, loud crowds at bars and pubs.

Newtown is definitely one of the more alternative, trendy, and always friendly suburbs of Sydney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience it on a budget. Look for student housing or share a flat for great bargain lodging. By shopping Furnished Property, you can save a ton without sacrificing on entertainment value.

October 28, 2011

Newtown is the alternative and bohemian centre of Sydney. Along Newtown’s busy King Street is where you’ll see the greatest mix of Newtown’s residents, including university students, young professionals and older hippies, sipping fair trade coffees and ordering organic foods at the many popular cafes.

There are great cafes all along Newtown’s King Street, and just off it, offering all day big breakfasts, sweet treats and unique settings. Here are just a few of the fantastic cafes you should visit this weekend for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and everything in between!

• A Coffee & A Yarn – 413 King St – One of the more unique cafes in Newtown, A Coffee & A Yarn is a knitting cafe where you can enjoy a great cup of coffee while you knit and crochet to your heart’s content. A Coffee & A Yarn also offer knitting lessons, which are a fun way to learn to knit with friends.
• Buzzzbar Cafe – 349 King St – Buzzzbar offer a fantastic menu for breakfast, brunch and lunch. If you have a sweet tooth, check out their dessert menu because you’ll have trouble deciding on only one.
• Cafe Martini – 529A King St – A popular cafe for breakfast and brunch amongst the locals, head to Cafe Martini for an affordable and filling meal. There’s a nice courtyard out the back of the cafe which is a great place to enjoy the sun during summer.
• Corelli’s – 352 King St – If you’re after some cheap meals early in the morning to late at night, then try Corelli’s. The tables outside the cafe are great for people watching.
• Funky Brewsters – 343 King St – Funky Brewsters brews great coffee, the best in Newtown some say. For coffee lovers, you’ll just have to try it out to see if it lives up to the hype.
• Pastizzi Cafe – 523 King St – If you want the best pastizzis in Sydney, head to Newtown’s Pastizzi Cafe for a delicious range of sweet and savoury pastizzis. They even sell packs of frozen ones which you can take home and enjoy whenever you want.
• Satellite Cafe – 8/80 Wilson St – Just off King St is the Satellite Cafe. While it’s not big, the coffee and food is both fresh and delicious. Well worth venturing off King St for some quiet and a great menu.