If you're staying in the city and have a day to kill, Surry Hills has lots on offer. Once a slum and headquarters for gangs and brothels, parts have been gentrified leaving a mix of grime and gleam. Victorian terrace houses have been spruced up and restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries and off-beat homewares abound.
With the surging popularity of vintage clothing, this is where people in-the-know head. Wander along Crown Street and be pleasantly surprised by the choice and prices.
Cream on Crown
If you are longing for a leather jacket, cowboy boots, vintage tees, flannels or pullovers, Cream takes the hassle out of recycled shopping. You don't have to sift through smelly racks of clothes. They have their act together — and their prices are right.
C's Flashback Secondhand Clothing
The racks are messy but prices are good at C's. You can rummage to your heart's content through Hawaiian shirts, denim, school blazers and one-of-a-kind retro gear. Prices are fantastic.
Zoo Emporium
Hop into the time machine in Surry Hills' oldest vintage store. Clothing is sourced from within Australia and you will find a range of remastered clothing made from vintage fabrics. Mannequins are decked out in outfits from every era and a disco ball and vine leaves decorate the shop.
Urban Uprising
This new gallery opened with a mission to bring street art from around the world to a new audience in Australia. A couple of Australians living in London fell for the attraction of street art and became avid collectors. They opened up in Surry Hills because of its mix of people, and they hope to inspire local artists to showcase their works.
Dining in Surry Hills
Crown Street is a hotbed of restaurant activity and is the epicentre of Sydney's food scene. From pricey restaurants to casual cafes, bars and coffee houses, many in converted warehouses, the choice is wide. Pick a cuisine and you can bet you will find it represented.
Toko Restaurant & Bar
Right in the heart of Surry Hills, Toko Restaurant & Bar offers informal Japanese
izakaya dining. An
izakaya is a Japanese drinking establishment which serves food to accompany drinks. Food is more substantial than that usually served in bars or snack bars. Toko, while informal, is very chic, buzzy and a grill runs down one side of the room. Comfortable leather lounges and an intimate front bar create an atmosphere like no other.
The Surry Hills Market is on the first Saturday of every month. They have quality, affordable vintage clothing and collectables.
Location
Surry Hills, an inner-city suburb of Sydney.
Cost
Virgin Blue has flights to Sydney.
One-way fares from:
- Brisbane $75
- Melbourne $95
- Adelaide $119
- Darwin $235
- Perth $239
There are limited seats which may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Fares quoted are one-way booked on the Internet. An extra $15 will be charged for phone bookings. A credit card surcharge of an additional $2 per person per one-way flight is applicable. Fares are correct at March 26, 2009 and are subject to change.
Prices correct at March 26, 2009.
For further information
Virgin Blue
Ph: 136 789
www.virginblue.com.au
Cream on Crown
Shop 32, 277 Crown Street
Surry Hills 2010
Ph: (02) 9331 5228
Urban Uprising
314 Crown Street
Darlinghurst 2010
Ph: (02) 9331 6614
www.urbanuprising.com.au
Toko Restaurant & Bar
490 Crown Street
Surry Hills 2010
Ph: (02) 9357 6100
www.toko.com.au
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