This area is rich in Aboriginal culture and history. The original occupants of this region, the Kameraigal, lived along the foreshores and in the bushland, cliffs and rock shelters prior to European settlement.

The lower North Shore was settled and urbanised decades later than the inner-city suburbs on the southern side of the harbour. It wasn't until the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built that this area was populated and visited.

One of the earliest settlers north of the harbour was James Milson who was granted land for a farm in 1806. It extended from Milsons Point to Kirribilli. Later, he was granted more land covering Blues Point.

Alexander Berry and Edward Wollstonecraft were granted land in 1819, part of which forms the suburbs of Waverton and Wollstonecraft. They were involved in the shipping and whaling industries on Berrys Bay, between McMahons Point and Balls Head.

Development at McMahons Point and Lavender Bay came in the middle of the nineteenth century. Lavender Bay was a busy harbourside suburb. The main access road to the ferry at Lavender Bay was named after Sydney Harbour waterman, Billy Blue. Today, Blues Point Road is still a busy street, bustling with shops, cafés and hotels.

In 1957, a vast area of McMahons Point was to be rezoned as 'waterfront industrial' by North Sydney Council, but a group formed by residents and architects, led by Harry Seidler, argued for a residential vision. Seidler proposed a 29-apartment block development set in gardens. The scheme collapsed and only one tower was built - Blues Point Tower.

McMahons Point has a village-like ambience. It's a leafy and quiet environment enjoying harbour views and proximity to the city. There's a mix of new and old terrace housing, Californian bungalows, modern apartments and contemporary housing with waterfront views.

Locals have been raving about the ambience and food of Ivan and Lizzie's and Fare Go Gourmet on Union Street for years. Other firm favourites are Armstrongs, the refurbished Commodore Hotel bistro and deli-come-café, Finks Fabulous Foods, in nearby Waverton. Enjoy Food, a newcomer to the area, has imaginative, fresh food to eat in or take home.

North Sydney Girls' and Boys' High Schools are the state schools in the area. Nearby are Wenona Girls and Sydney Church of England Grammar (Shore) as well as Monte Sant'Angelo College and the North Sydney Demonstration School. The Australian Catholic University and the Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE are also in the area.

Within the Graythwaite Nursing Home in North Sydney is Euroka, one of the earliest and largest residences in the area. Other prominent features in the area include the controversial Seidler-designed Blues Point Tower.

There are some fine examples of Art Deco architecture surviving in the area including the North Sydney Pool and Luna Park entrance.

The foreshore areas of Balls Head and Berry Island have some of the finest examples of Aboriginal cultural sites on the lower north shore.

At Balls Head, there's the notable relic of a now unused coal loader. Just beyond the coal loader is Balls Head Bay, now the home of HMAS Waterhen, a naval establishment for small vessels.

On the western side of Balls Head Bay is Gore Cove, an oil terminal. The cove, one of the most sheltered in Sydney Harbour, has been associated with the oil industry since World War I when John Fells established an oil refinery there using crude oil from his shale mine at Hartley in the Blue Mountains.

On Union Street, you'll find a handful of shops including a deli, art gallery and antique shop. Blues Point Road has a cluster of shops as well including a dry cleaners, liquor shop, newsagent, hairdressers and pharmacy.

Head to Greenwood Plaza for boutique shopping or picking up a few items for dinner - fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables, meat and deli items.

McMahons Point has a number of inviting parks and reserves including Blues Point Reserve with a well-equipped playground on the foreshore; Charlie Watts playground; Mary French Reserve, an interesting park with sandstone outcrops and Victoria Street playground. There's also the waterfront Sawmillers Reserve, a wonderful location for picnics and a great vantage point for New Year's Eve fireworks.

McMahons Point is well located for easy train, bus and ferry travel to the CBD. Buses from North Sydney, ferries from McMahons Point wharf and trains from North Sydney station will have you in the city within 10-15 minutes.

McMahons Point is approximately 4.5 km away from the CBD.