Glebe

With its laid-back atmosphere, pockets of greenery, and seemingly endless coffee shops, Glebe feels a long way from the bustle of the city. Yet the suburb is one of the defining inner-city suburbs of Sydney.

Large, open green spaces mark the boundaries of Glebe on every side. These leafy escapes shape both ends of Glebe Point Road, as it opens to sunny Victoria Park to the south, and Jubilee and Blackwattle Bay Parks provide destinations for picnics or afternoon strolls to the north. Wentworth Park marks the eastern boundary, with the 21 brick arches of the Light Rail viaduct serving as a reminder of the area’s working class, industrial heritage and role in building Sydney. The tram-line dips under Glebe and emerges in Jubilee Park, where the green corridor continues along Johnstons Creek into Annandale.

The vertical garden of Central Park is minutes away along Parramatta Road, providing even more variety for dining out. The newly opened Palace Central cinema has large windows overlooking the green towers and gardens, with their lounge bars inviting you to arrive early or stay late into the night after your film session. The modern buildings of the sprawling UTS campus stretch along Parramatta Road and down to Wentworth park, mixing the student town feel with the fringe of the city.

Glebe Point Road cuts perfectly down the centre of the suburb, drawing you in away from Parramatta Road, along the high, undulating ridge of Glebe, and then down into Rozelle Bay. The length of Glebe Point Road has led to small pockets of shops emerging all the way along it. The University of Sydney end has the appropriate feel of a student town, with a constant flow of students and young professionals working from the cafes and restaurants. Well Co. Cafe is the prime example, with its patchy leather couches and free WiFi attracting a daily assortment of exuberant youth.

The intimate coffee rooms and sandwich cafes turn into bars and restaurants further along the road, bringing Glebe to life at night. Music and light spill out of Beats Eats Drinks and The Record Crate, while further along the projected purple ‘X’ on the footpath outside of Lebanese eatery Thievery adds ambience on darker nights.

Over the hill, and St John’s Road presents the almost 150-year-old sandstone church, and down St John’s Road past the Fire Station and old Town Hall building lies local favourite The Nags Head Hotel. One of the numerous pubs scattered around Glebe, it serves as both reliable local as well as starting point for nights out around Newtown and Darlington.

The highest point of Glebe ridge presents an unobstructed view of Sydney’s skyline, coming to life every evening. The steep streets fall away towards the water and  countless locals share the sparkling view, wherever on the hills of Glebe they call home.

It’s as close to the New York skyline as you will find in Sydney, with the waters of Blackwattle Bay lapping at the edge of the suburb and reflecting the dazzling lights of the city.