If you were wondering what to do in Newtown, here you'll find all you need to know!
One of Sydney’s hippest neighbourhoods, Newtown has plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. Shop for handmade accessories, retro clothing and rare books at the colourful shops and boutiques on King Street, listen to live music at the Enmore Theatre and dine at the many restaurants, cafes and bars.
King Street is famous for it's densely clustered offering of bars, restaurants, café and pubs, from cheap student dining offering pad Thai for under a tenner, to high-end restaurants from celebrated chefs.
Things to do
There’s a whole community of dog walkers who patrol the Camperdown Cemetery (189 Church St), which is an off leash area. People also come in to sit amongst the trees and ancient gravestones and enjoy a little peace and quiet in the inner city. They also run regular tours.
For some good clean fun Dendy Newtown (261-26 King St) screens a happy mix of blockbuster films and more arthouse offerings.
Part hair salon, part airy plant arboreum, and also a café, A Loft Story (36 Lennox St) is one of the most beautiful spaces to get a new do.
Feeling like a change? Just been through a break-up and need a new you? Get something pierced or a tattoo at Industrial Strength Body Piercing Studio (192 King St).
Weekends are crammed at Sleek Nails (10/330 King St), an extremely popular nail salon just near the station.
It might just look like a crystal shop from the street, but out the back of Nature’s Energy (173 King St) there is a full day spa complete with treatment rooms and a bathhouse you can book for exclusive use.
Enmore theatre
Sydney’s oldest and longest running live theatre, the heritage-listed Enmore has been a Newtown staple since 1908. Remodelled to fit the hip art deco movement back in the day, and still featuring the retro façade today, the 100-year-old theatre hosts bands, comedy acts and other performances from around the world.
The Cipher Room
An immersive and bespoke vintage escape room in Sydney. As an indie company, they create all their own narratives, graphics, handmade props and bespoke puzzles.
Located in Newtown and St Peters, they are unique in that they make every part of their games – concepts, narratives, all the puzzles (electronic/wooden/graphic/magnetic), sound design, lighting – themselves and are independently owned and run. As proud Newtown locals who want to celebrate and support their unique suburb, they source any props from local second-hand and vintage shops. They also use reclaimed and recycled materials wherever possible.
They love immersive gaming environments, with tactile and authentic puzzles and themes. They have worked hard to create a fun and unique gaming experience that they would want to play.
Holey Moley
Are you ready to shoot for the pars, Sydney? Nestle down in the heart of Newtown with 18 holes of the craziest mini golf you’ve ever played.
With a fully-equipped cocktail bar and a full gourmet kitchen bringing you off-the-green grub, Holey Moley Newtown is top of the list for late night fun.
Sydney Park
Sydney Park is made of 40 hectares of lush grass, landscaped gardens, rolling hills, meandering pathways and picturesque wetlands. Creeks flow throughout the park and attract all different types of birds. There are plenty of spacious viewing decks that are perfectly placed to make sure you can take it all in as long as you like. Sydney Park is popular for weekend picnics and it’s very dog friendly.
A large children’s playground will probably have the grown-ups mesmerised just as much as the kids. The tactile, one-of-a-kind playground includes many different types of equipment that will keep children entertained for hours, as well as several elements that will stimulate their senses of touch, hearing and sight.
Cafés, barbecue facilities near the children’s bike track and near the wetlands, and public toilets are also available in the park.
Shopping
It’s easy to spend half a day popping into Newtown’s various boutique stores. Some of my favourites are Pentimento (stationery and books), Monster Threads (giftwares), and U-Turn (recycled/vintage fashion). I’m also a frequent visitor in the local Vinnies thrift shop on King Street north.
Young Henrys Brewery and Distillery
Young Henrys is a microbrewery in the heart of inner city Newtown, a hotbed of music, arts and culture. Come to the tasting room to try the range of beers that will include seasonal brews and the latest collaborations.
Brewery tours are available on Saturdays. Please check their website for contact details and more information.
