Located approximately 3 km’s north of Sydney’s CBD and covers an area of approximately 1.4 km²
It is linked to Sydney’s CBD by road and rail, both crossing the Harbour Bridge. There is also a ferry stop at the end of High Street, (Neutral Bay ferry service), which is part of the Sydney Ferries network.The CBD hub of the North Shore. Whilst it lacks in visitor attractions, has an abundance of shopping, restaurants, galleries and transport.
Aborigines on the southern side of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) called the north side warung which meant the other side, while those on the northern side used the same name to describe the southern side.
Originally, the first name used by the European settlers for this area was Hunterhill, named after a property owned by Thomas Muir who was a scottish political reformer. The original house of Thomas Muir stood near where the North pylon of the Sydney Harbour bridge stands today and his parcel of land extended to Gore Hill. In 1836 the area was then changed to St Leonards (known today as North Sydney) and was defined by what is now Miller Street, Walker Street, Lavender and Berry Streets. By 1846, there 106 houses here and by 1859, the commercial centre had extended up the hill to Miller Street. The post office opened in 1854 and then in 1890, yet another name change officially to North Sydney as it has remained ever since.
In the early 1970’s, North Sydney undertook a dramatic transformation into the commercial hub it is today with no less than 27 skyscrapers built within only a couple of years. It currently stands as the second largest concentration of office buildings in NSW.
Sites of historical interest include Mary MacKillop Place (http://www.marymackillopplace.org.au/) and Don Bank Cottage (http://facilities.arts.nsw.gov.au/facilities/don-bank-museum/). Mary Mackillop Place tells the story of Australia's first and only Catholic Saint who founded the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866. A tour includes a visit to her tomb in the adjoining chapel. Don Bank Cottage is the oldest wooden house in North Sydney. Built in the first half of the 19th century, it was acquired by North Sydney Council in 1979 and converted into a local history museum. It is a rare example of an early timber slab house nestled in a remnant Victorian garden. Featuring the history of the house and its former occupants, Don Bank's displays focus on social history and our changing times.
Families can choose from a variety of schools in the area. Primary schools include North Sydney Demonstration School and St Marys Primary School. High schools include the public North Sydney Boys High School and North Sydney Girls High School, the Catholic Marist College North Shore and Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College and independent schools Wenona School and Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore).
For the sports minded, you can’t go past North Sydney Oval, built in 1879. Located in the south-west corner of St Leonards Park at the intersection of Miller and Ridge St, you have an array of sports played here such as Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cricket, AFL. During summer evenings, it transforms to an outdoor cinema called the Starlight Cinema (http://www.starlightcinema.com.au/) where you can take a picnic basket, some cushions and blanket to enjoy new release movies. A great first date setting here too!
There are plenty of restaurants and café’s to choose from, although hustling and bustling during the week, North Sydney can appear ghost town like over the weekend. Some worthy restaurants to note are Jagos on Miller St (great for breakfast), Shinju Teppanyaki on Berry St (very entertaining chefs) and Safi on Ridge St (specialising in a more modern take on middle eastern cuisine). Ask to sit in the back section on the cushions scattered around the floor.
References
Wikipedia
Dictionary of Sydney
North Sydney Council
Mosman Council
www.sydney.com
Trip Advisor
www.kirribilli.org.au/
www.weekendnotes.com
sydney travellers guide