Back in1831, Scotsman Archibald Mosman set up a whaling station in what is now known as Mosman Bay, and thus lent his name to what has become one of the most desirable suburbs on the northern foreshore of Sydney Harbour.

Mosman is a collection of bays, coves and headlands running between Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour. Toward the end of the 19th century the dramatic beauty of Mosman drew the great Australian artists of the Heidelberg School Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts, and poet Robert Louis Stevenson.

Its desirability as a residential suburb can be traced back to early Federation, and thanks to a century of stable ownership, much of its original architecture has been maintained. The Bradley’s Head environs have some of the cities finest examples of Federation mansions. The surrounding suburb has many lovingly restored semi detached houses of the same period, the plum brick free standing properties of the early 1920’s, and a smattering of old and new apartments.

Mosman is home to chic boutiques, fine tailoring and stores specialising in the essentials of civilised homemaking. A walk along Military Road will uncover all the ingredients for a great dinner party.

On the first Saturday of each month, Mosman takes on a slightly raffish note with the markets held in Mosman Square.

Mosman caters to a families needs with a good selection of pre school and day care centre. Then there is Mosman and Neutral Bay Primary Schools, Mosman High and the highly respected North Sydney High only a few minutes drive. Private schools include S.C.E.C.G.S and Queenwood with Monte St Angelo and Shore only a couple of minutes drive away in North Sydney.

Littered around the Military and Spit precincts are perfect “local “ restaurants, ideal for those nights when cooking is just too hard. Pick from all Asian persuasions, Italian, great pizza or a decent steak.

Mosman is home to Sydney’s world famous Taronga Park Zoo, and the prime slices of the Sydney Harbour National Park.

One of televisions’ favourite compares, Mike Hammond, is a long term Mosman resident, together with America’s Cup, Admiral’s Cup and Sydney to Hobart yachtsman, Syd Fischer.

Fitness First at Mosman is an essential for keeping mind and body in perfect tone with its combination of serious weights and exercise classes geared to the demands of busy lives. Rowers can get their oars wet at the Mosman Rowing Club on the shore of Mosman Bay. For joggers or walkers, capture the dawn or sunset over the Harbour along the pathways of the Sydney Harbour National Park.

Mosman is 5km away from the CBD on the northern side of the Harbour. It’s a quick drive via either the bridge or Harbour tunnel, and there are plenty of buses. If you’re close to the Harbour, then try the ferry from Mosman Bay to the city.