A tour of Paddington, Sydney's priciest suburb by the metre, reveals pastel Victorian terraces, trendy cafés like Barbetta and Porcine, and why young couples, families, and millionaires all want to live there. Ben Collier explains how residents work together to preserve the heritage homes and walkable streets near Centennial Park.
Chapters
It's Sydney's priciest suburb by the metre, but what's life really like in Paddington? We strolled up Oxford Street to see if it lives up to the hype. Right off the bat, you'll notice Victorian terraces dominate in this postcode, flaunting pastel paint and clever tweaks. They feel a bit like London but unmistakably Sydney. After grabbing a coffee at local favourite Barbetta, we wandered down William Street, where you'll find some of the city's most hyped boutiques. Paddington's blend of leafy laneways, charming pubs, and independent galleries gives it an artsy edge. On a scorching summer's day, a pit stop at one of Sydney's all-time great watering holes was mandatory. Shout out to the Lord Dudley. From there, we wandered down to Trumpet Park, which feels a world away from the inner city bustle. To get a feel for the houses in the area, we popped into an open home and toured a beautifully renovated terrace. Longtime Eastern Suburbs agent Ben Collier shared what makes Paddington such a great place to live.
It's been a real community effort to ensure that these endearing Victorian terraces have been retained. It goes beyond the shops and restaurants and cafes of Oxford Street. There's many other parts that appeal to people, such as Centennial Park, but literally at the bottom of the hill is Rushcutters Bay. It's the walkability into the city, convenience, and the lifestyle itself is something that attracts not just young couples but young families as well as downsizers.
Paddington is packed with foodie gems, including Sydney favourites Porcine and 10 William Street. Today, however, we couldn't resist a delectable schnitzel at the Village Inn. Perfect. Paddington shows exactly why living here is so appealing. Walkable streets, a real neighbourhood feel, and just minutes from the CBD. From millionaires to art students, everyone shares the same buzzing spots, and that's what makes it special.
