Things to Do in Surry Hills: The Neighbourhood Guide
Surry Hills sits about two kilometres south-east of the Sydney CBD, but it feels nothing like the city centre. The streets are quieter, lined with original Victorian terrace houses. It’s a dense, walkable suburb built on a ridge, with Crown Street running along the top as the main commercial strip.
The vibe is arty without trying to be. Small bars, good food, independent businesses, and some impressive street art murals tucked into laneways and across building walls. You won’t find many tour groups here. The people you see on the streets mostly live or work in the suburb.
Surry Hills itself is comfortable to walk around during the day. At night, stick to the main streets. Once you cross Cleveland Street heading south you’re into a different area and it can sometimes feel rundown and a little sketchy after dark.
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Getting to Surry Hills
Surry Hills is an easy suburb to reach without a car. Central Station is a short walk from the western edge of the suburb and is served by most Sydney train lines. Museum Station is at the northern end.
The light rail runs along Devonshire Street with a stop that puts you right in the middle of the action — useful if you’re coming from the CBD or continuing on to the eastern suburbs after your visit. Several bus routes run along Crown Street and Elizabeth Street.
If you’re starting the walk at Taylor Square, the easiest option is a bus along Oxford Street from the city.
Surry hills Walking Map
Wandering Surry Hills: A Route Worth Taking
My recommendation is to start at Taylor Square and walk south. The suburb sits on a ridge and the ground drops away as you head toward the light rail, which makes the whole walk noticeably easier on the legs. It also means you finish near a tram stop, which is a sensible way to end an afternoon.
Taylor Square and the Rainbow Crossing
Taylor Square marks the northern boundary of Surry Hills where it meets Darlinghurst and Oxford Street. It’s busy and traffic-heavy, so don’t linger — but before you head south, look down at the crossing. Sydney’s Rainbow Crossing is painted across the intersection in the colours of the Pride flag and is one of the more photographed spots in the inner city.
Factory Grind
Pick up a coffee from Factory Grind near the top of the walk. It’s a good takeaway stop and sets you up for the first stretch of laneways ahead.
Lamp for Mary
Head down Bourke Street and look for Mary’s Place, a small laneway between Campbell and Burton Streets. You’ll spot it by the large hot pink street lamp that stays lit around the clock. The artwork, created by Mikala Dwyer in 2011, is a memorial to a woman who was assaulted in the lane in 1996.
The attack prompted a strong response from the local LGBTQ+ community, who campaigned for the lane to be named and properly lit.
Running along the wall of the Beresford Hotel is a line of pink laser-cut lettering that tells the story plainly. It’s worth stopping to read it.
McElhone Place
A short detour takes you into McElhone Place, a narrow laneway that locals sometimes call Cat Alley. It’s one of those streets that stops you mid-stride.
The residents have filled every available surface with potted plants, hanging vines and window boxes, turning what is essentially a back lane into something that feels entirely its own. Walk slowly.
Bennett Place
Bennett Place is easy to walk through without looking up — which would mean missing Bridget entirely. The sculptured figure by Gaby Porter sits high on the overhead bridge that connects two heritage buildings across the lane.
She’s been there long enough that most people who know the area consider her part of the furniture. The Victorian workers’ cottages lining the lane are worth a look too, particularly the matching wooden balconies.
Adam Goodes Mural — Foveaux Street
Back on the main route, Foveaux Street has one of the suburb’s most striking murals — a large-scale portrait of Adam Goodes.
If you’re travelling with anyone unfamiliar with Goodes and his significance to Australian sport and Indigenous rights, this is a good moment to fill them in.
Brett Whiteley Studio
The Brett Whiteley Studio on Raper Street is the former home and workspace of one of Australia’s most recognised painters. It’s now a museum run by the Art Gallery of NSW and displays a permanent collection of his work along with his personal belongings.
If you’ve visited the Art Gallery of NSW, you may have noticed the oversized matchstick sculpture out front — the one inside the studio is its pair. Worth a visit, particularly if you have an interest in Australian art. Check opening hours before you go as it is not open every day.
Bourke Street Bakery
From the studio, head toward Bourke Street Bakery. Get the Ginger Brulee tart. I have never once walked past without stopping.
Wimbo Park and the Mosaic
Wimbo Park sits between Bourke Street and the light rail tracks and has recently been expanded significantly. Near the Bourke Street entrance, look for the large mosaic — a work made from thousands of pieces of coloured glass and tile depicting the site’s 19th-century history as a common used for travelling circuses.
You can make out a hot air balloon, a tightrope walker and a carousel. It was originally created in 1985 by artist Peter Day with local residents, illegally demolished by a developer in 1992, reinstated at the developer’s cost in 1993, carefully dismantled again in 2019 to make way for the light rail, and reinstalled in 2024 in a metal frame that makes it look almost like a stained glass window. The new lawn is a good spot to sit and look at it properly.
625 South Dowling Street — The Colourful House
A short walk brings you to 625 South Dowling Street and the large floral mural by Nico Nicoson that covers the building facade. The design draws on the suburb’s history as a textile and fashion district, using floral motifs inspired by local 20th-century textile designer Lola Phillips.
It’s one of the most photographed spots in Surry Hills and earns the attention.
Edgley Reserve — Peter Day Mural
Edgley Reserve is home to another Peter Day work. Given that you’ve now seen two of his pieces on this walk, it gives you a reasonable sense of the role he played in documenting Surry Hills as it changed around him.
Village Voices — Crown Street
Back on Crown Street, look for the narrow pedestrian laneway between Crown and Wilshire Streets. Village Voices is a text-based installation by Cathy Weiszmann — large white lettering on a steel frame, commissioned by the City of Sydney.
The text changes periodically and reflects local stories. Easy to walk past without noticing; worth slowing down for.
Shakespeare Hotel and Dove & Olive
The Shakespeare Hotel on Devonshire Street is one of the older pubs in the area and worth a look even if you don’t stop. If you’re ready to sit down, the Dove & Olive a short walk away on Devonshire Street is my preferred finish to this walk. Good craft beer range, a solid pub menu, and the light rail stop at Surry Hills is a short walk from the door. Hop on and you’re back in the city within minutes.
Where to Eat and Drink in Surry Hills
Bills
Bills on Crown Street is one of those Sydney institutions that has held up over time. It’s famous for two things — the scrambled eggs and the ricotta hotcakes.
I’m not a hotcakes person, so I always go the eggs. They’re worth the reputation. Expect a queue on weekend mornings.
Gelato Messina
Messina has multiple Sydney locations but the Surry Hills spot on Crown Street is a good stop after a walk. They have a core menu of classic flavours alongside daily specials that change regularly. My usual is pandan and coconut. If you see anything with apple, order it.
Eileen’s Bar — Four Pillars Laboratory
Eileen’s Bar sits inside the Four Pillars gin laboratory on Crown Street. The cocktail list is gin-focused and well put together.
Dove & Olive
Already mentioned as the finish to the walk, the Dove & Olive on Devonshire Street is worth coming back to. Large craft beer range, a pub menu that holds its own, and Sunday roast if you time it right.
Where: 156 Devonshire St, Surry Hills
Bourke Street Bakery
The original Bourke Street Bakery has been on the corner of Bourke and Devonshire Streets since 2004 and has since expanded across Sydney — but this is where it started.
Get the Ginger Brulee tart. If you’re hungry, the pork and fennel sausage roll is the other thing worth queuing for. And there usually is a queue.
Where: 633 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Guided Tours of Surry Hills
If you’d prefer someone else to do the navigating, there are two tours I can recommend from personal experience.
Discover the history of the streets of Surry Hills with one of two great walking tour options
Murders Most Foul
Local historian Elliot Lindsay, offers a number of walking tours that are a great way to learn about the lesser known but equally fascinating years of Surry Hills (between 1880 and 1930).
Starting from Central Station, you walk dingy alleys and lanes as Elliot shares the fascinating tales of Surry Hills in its dark days. Your tour include
There are two tours offered, a two hour Saturday tour and a 3 hour tour on Sunday afternoons. If these don’t suit, I suggest you check out Elliot’s full range of tours on his website.
Local Sauce
It’s well known by our regular readers that we are big fans of Local Sauce Tours. Their guides are fantastic and they offer a great variety of experiences.
On Saturday evenings they offer a 3-4 hour bar tour.
Hang out with the community
Surry Hills Market Day
The Surry Hill monthly market is a real community event and if you can time your visit for one of the market days I highly recommend it. The markets roots are in recycled, second-hand or handmade goods and it’s not often I don’t leave with at least one purchase!
The market features about 60 stalls and is held in Shannon Reserve from 8am to 4pm on the first Saturday of every month. Find out more on their Facebook page.
Where to stay in Surry hills
Surry Hills has a good spread of accommodation options, from design-focused boutique hotels to comfortable apartment-style stays. For travellers who have more than a few days in Sydney I would seriously consider staying here. It gives you a good feel of inner city life.
Adina Apartment Hotel Surry Hills
My pick for anyone staying more than a couple of nights. The Adina Surry Hills is not trying to be flashy — it’s comfortable, well run, and the apartment-style rooms give you the space to actually live rather than just sleep.
The location puts you in easy reach of Crown Street and some of the best eating in the suburb. Good value for what you get. Check the current price.
Crystalbrook Albion
Crystalbrook Albion is housed in a former school convent built in 1903 — the heritage bones of the building are still visible and the designers have made the most of them. The interior draws on 1920s and 1970s influences, which sounds like an odd combination but works well in practice.
There’s a rooftop garden with views over the suburb and city, an honour bar, and a sustainability focus that goes beyond the usual gestures — no plastic key cards, large-pump amenities, and partnerships with OzHarvest and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef among others.
It’s a good choice for couples in particular — the location on the edge of Crown Street puts you within easy walking distance of some of the best eating in the suburb. Check the current price.
Rydges Sydney Central
Rydges Sydney Central sits on the boundary between Surry Hills and the CBD, which makes it one of the most practical bases in this part of Sydney. The rooms are larger than you’d typically find in a boutique hotel, which matters if you’re travelling with kids or just want space to spread out. There’s an indoor pool, spa, sauna and fitness centre — useful if you’re staying a few nights and want more than just a bed.
The Sydney Brewery is the onsite bar and restaurant, with specialty beers on tap. Albies Restaurant does a full buffet breakfast if you need to feed a family before a big day out. Crown Street and Oxford Street are both a short walk away, and Shaffa — one of my favourite restaurants in the area — is close by. Check the current prices.
It’s also worth noting the proximity to Capitol Theatre if you’re combining your visit with a show.
The EVE Hotel
I’ve toured rather than stayed at The EVE and honestly, it’s one of the most beautifully designed hotels I’ve seen in Sydney. The rooms are considered down to the last detail — warm timber, terrazzo, deep green tones and a round freestanding bath that would make most people rearrange their budget.
If I could justify it, I would stay here in a heartbeat. It’s pitched at special occasions rather than everyday trips, but if the budget stretches, don’t hesitate. Check the current price.
Adge Hotels
The Adge has recently been renovated and the rooms are comfortable and well appointed with good views over the suburb. The bold swirling carpet is very much a design choice — you’ll either love it or you won’t.
Either way, the location near Oxford Street makes it a solid option if you’re planning to spend time at the northern end of Surry Hills. Check the current price.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surry Hills
Where is Surry Hills in Sydney? Surry Hills sits approximately two kilometres south-east of the Sydney CBD. It is bordered by Oxford Street to the north, Cleveland Street to the south, South Dowling Street to the east, and Elizabeth and Chalmers Streets to the west. Central Station is a short walk from the western edge of the suburb.
Is Surry Hills safe? Surry Hills is comfortable to walk around during the day. At night, stick to the main streets. Once you cross Cleveland Street heading south you are in a different area and it can feel uncomfortable at any time of day.
What is Surry Hills known for? Surry Hills is known for its Victorian terrace houses, independent bars and restaurants, street art, and creative industries. Crown Street is the main commercial strip. The suburb has a strong arts culture and is home to the Brett Whiteley Studio, several significant public art installations, and one of Sydney’s best monthly community markets.
What are the best things to do in Surry Hills? The best way to spend time in Surry Hills is on foot. Start at Taylor Square and walk south along Bourke Street, taking in Lamp for Mary, McElhone Place, Bennett Place, the Brett Whiteley Studio, Wimbo Park mosaic, the Colourful House mural at 625 South Dowling Street, and Village Voices on Crown Street. Finish at the Dove and Olive pub on Devonshire Street and take the light rail back to the city.
How do I get to Surry Hills? Surry Hills is accessible by train via Central Station, by light rail with a stop on Devonshire Street, and by multiple bus routes along Crown Street and Elizabeth Street. It is also an easy walk from the CBD.
Where should I stay in Surry Hills? Surry Hills has several good accommodation options. The Adina Apartment Hotel is a practical choice for longer stays. Crystalbrook Albion is a boutique heritage hotel with strong design credentials. The Eve is the most design-led and luxurious option in the suburb. Rydges Sydney Central suits families with its larger rooms, indoor pool and family-friendly facilities.
When is the Surry Hills Market? The Surry Hills Market runs on the first Saturday of every month in Shannon Reserve on Crown Street, from 8am to 4pm. It has around 60 stalls focused on second-hand, recycled and handmade goods.
Before you go…
For a quick bite you can’t go past Bourke Street Bakery. Try the famous Pork & Fennel Sausage Roll, or a Ginger Brulee tart.
Explore more of inner Sydney by taking our walk around Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point or discovering the Sydney’s most iconic buildings.
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