Alexandria & Rosebery

Alexandria and Rosebery have undergone dramatic gentrification in recent years, replacing industrial factories with an exciting mix of eateries, boutiques and action thrills. In this trendy pocket of inner Sydney, enjoy indoor rock climbing, browse for homewares and uncover foodie delights such as urban distilleries, food emporiums and funky cafes in converted warehouses.

Archie Rose Distilling Co., Rosebery

Things to do

Unleash your inner Viking and challenge your friends to an axe-throwing competition at Kiss My Axe. If you’re a fan of heights, try bouldering at 9 Degrees. Or enjoy bumper cars, bowling, arcade games and laser tag at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, which turns into an adults-only cocktail bar after dark.

Sydney Park, St Peters

The underground Green Square Library is worth a visit to see how urban design can re-energise a neighbourhood. It serves the emerging community that has moved into surrounding new apartment blocks and is about more than just books. There’s a subterranean garden and open-air amphitheatre, plus you can hire the music room, which comes with a baby grand piano.

For some fresh air, take a walk in Sydney Park, a 40-hectare green space on the edge of Alexandria. Fancy some shopping? Stop into Lunatiques to peruse the huge warehouse of vintage finds, before stocking up on gourmet home cooking essentials at Simon Johnson Providore.

Sydney Park, St Peters

Eat & drink

Home to top cafes, bars and restaurants, Alexandria and Rosebery is a foodie’s dream. The Cannery Rosebery precinct showcases some of the area’s best food and design finds in a huge, revived heritage warehouse space that was once the Rosella Soup Cannery. Dine at the popular Three Blue Ducks, take a cooking class at VIVE Cooking School and tour Archie Rose Distilling Co., followed by a visit to the gin bar.

Three Blue Ducks, Rosebery

Head to Fountain Street where a transformed warehouse is now a bustling epicurean hub. Clean eating brunch fans will love Bread & Circus. For steaming bowls of Vietnamese pho, Nguyen Brothers has you covered. Get your dumpling fix at Chinese North Dumpling Noodle House and just across the road is Sushi Jones for great Japanese.

Bread & Circus Wholefoods Canteen, Alexandria

Yulli’s Brews does vegan snacks and craft beers, and Rocks Brewing Co offers brews inspired by Australia’s colonial past. For heartier fare, dig into rustic Italian dishes by candlelight at Pino’s Vino e Cucina or enjoy Australian-Asian fusion plates with creative cocktails at No. 5 Restaurant and Bar.

One of the most Instagrammed places in Sydney, The Grounds of Alexandria is more than just a cafe. There’s also a kitchen garden and a small population of farm animals, plus it bakes its own bread and roasts coffee. Still need a caffeine fix? You’re spoilt for choice. Some of the best in this neighbourhood are served up at Mecca Coffee on Bourke Road, while Gypsy Espresso has a sleek space on Mitchell Road.

The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria

Getting there 

Getting to the trendy neighbourhoods of Alexandria and Rosebery is easy by public transport. You can take a train from Town Hall in the city centre and alight at Redfern, Green Square or Mascot stations, or catch one of many buses.