In the mid 1970’s, Premier Neville Wran summed Balmain’s rough and tumble past when he said “Balmain boys don’t cry”. Until the last two decades, Balmain was tough suburb, home to Sydney’s maritime workers, shipyards and healthy smattering of its noteworthy criminals and their associates.

With our cities desire for stylish housing close to both the city and harbour, the un-renovated cottages of local sandstone or aged timber of Balmain suddenly became highly sought after. These days its magnificent Victorian public buildings, great local pubs, run down houses and derelict industrial sites have been brilliantly refocused as elegant inner city essentials.

Balmain major public buildings, the Court House and Town Hall, together with local stone and timber cottages and terraces, reflect the Victorian origins of the suburb. Beside them, sit chic warehouse loft apartments, and contemporary homes and townhouses.

A must in Balmain is the Saturday markets held in St Andrews Congregational Church in Darling Street and is one of Sydney’s best. Antiques, estate jewellery and ingenious art and craft items are on sale.

Canteen café, Fundamental Food café, Sorrentino’s, Fish Bowl and the Monkey Bar are just a few of the trendy café and restaurants that line Balmain’s very popular Darling Street.

Dawn Fraser Pool
Rose Street Tennis courts
Balmain Bowling Club
Gladstone Park
Balmain Fitness Gym

State schools are Balmain Primary and High, or there is the Montessori School, and the Sydney College of the Arts.

At only 4km across the Anzac Bridge, you can get to the CBD on foot in a brisk half hour walk. The drive quick and there are plenty of buses, but the best way to arrive in the city is to take the ferry from Balmain Wharf to Circular Quay Wharf 5.

Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier of NSW and the “Father of Federation” lived in Hampton Villa. Still in fine condition is the former, well used by all accounts, local lock up “The Watch House”, and of course, the pool named after Balmain’s most famous resident, multiple gold medallist Dawn Fraser.

Balmain is a haven for the creative and entertainment professions. You’ll find Oscar winner Judy Davis and her husband, actor Colin Friels out doing their shopping, and yes, that is Dawn Fraser coming out of the supermarket.

Saturday morning, and all Balmain locals are in the village going about their weekend’s business, after coffee and the papers in one of the many cafes of course. Start with the markets at St Andrews Church, wander around the many antique stores, browse the book shops, galleries and clothing boutiques, or head out for provisions at the many great produce stores.

Start your day with coffee and light snack at many cafes, then grab some of the cities best bread at Victoire, vegetables from Emil’s and then head home for some sun in the garden. The locals come out with the arrival of evening and start with a cocktail at the Monkey Bar and then onto any of great local eateries ranging from cheap and cheerful pizza, pasta, Indian or Asian, or to fashionable bistros like Bird Cow Fish.

The beauty of Balmain is best enjoyed on foot, either brisk walk or a light run. You can hone your swimming at the Dawn Fraser pool, put down a few ends with the older locals at the Bowling Club, or hit the Balmain Gym for some serious weights or aerobics.

Balmain Primary
Balmain High school
The Montissori School
Sydney College of the Arts

Balmain is located 4km west of the CBD.The Ferry departs every 30 minutes from Darling Street wharf to Circular Quay Wharf 5.