Surrounded by Water
Tucked in neatly behind Balmain and surrounded by water on three sides makes Birchgrove an inspiring destination. The waterfront reserves and attractive homes and gardens are just some of its many charms.
Historic Architecture
Birchgrove’s quiet streets are lined with beautifully restored cottages, grand mansions, historic pubs and old corner shops. Its position on the Balmain peninsula with harbour and city skyline views has resulted in property prices becoming some of Sydney’s most expensive.
When we visit Birchgrove we love to wander aimlessly, enjoying the tree-lined streets and gardens and admiring the architectural details, such as the delicate Victorian iron lacework… there is always something new to discover!
Waterfront Parks
Surrounded by water it’s not surprising that Birchgrove boasts a number of significant waterfront parks… Ballast Point Park, Mort Bay Park and Birchgrove Oval. All are within easy walking distance of each other and can be combined with a suburb walk.
From Ballast Point and Mort Bay there are superb views to the city and harbour bridge, perspectives that many would find unfamiliar.
Ballast Point Park
Ballast Point Park so inspired me that I had to write a separate blog … please see the Ballast Point Park walk on my website.
Mort Bay Park
What was in the latter half of the 19th century Mort’s Dock, the largest shipyard and engineering workshop in Australia, is now a leafy park with large grassy playing fields and remnants of the site’s industrial past.
When we visited, many locals were out and about enjoying the park, families, kids, couples, dogs… and even a fully naked man with football in hand, playing an imagined and quite serious game of footy… I think he was winning 🙂
We were pleased to find that the waterfront path led to the adjacent Ballast Point Park and from there a 5-10 minute walk to Birchgrove Oval.
Birchgrove Oval & Park
Birchgrove Oval is a large spacious park with playing fields, tennis courts and lawns flowing down to the water’s edge.
Surrounding the park are a number of heritage listed terrace houses. The large trees and beautifully cared for gardens make it a pleasure to wander the streets. There’s also a fabulous little corner shop, ‘Gladstone Store’ across the road where you can grab a cappuccino or bite to eat (see Eat & Drink below).
I’ve been told that Birchgrove Park Oval is the ‘spiritual home’ of rugby league in Australia, with the first professional match played there in 1908! Maybe a pilgrimage site for the many thousands of footy fans in Australia… thankfully not on the day I was there 🙂 Birchgrove Park is an easy 5-10 minute walk from Ballast Point Park along Wharf Road.
Eat & Drink
Birchgrove has a few options for eating, including a number of traditional old pubs, although I’ve not had time to try them yet.
Gladstone Store
A quaint corner store with a few small stools on the footpath and a very welcoming feel. This is a place where one could easily spend time quietly enjoying homemade treats, a cappuccino and the Birchgrove Oval views. You could also consider the Gladstone Store Picnic Box, packed with a selection of their tasty goodies. Unfortunately I only had room for a juice 🙂
Charlotte Café
A locally loved café positioned in a small enclave of shops, located just a few blocks from the Mort Bay Park.
Dry Dock Hotel
Close to Mort Bay Park is the Dry Dock Hotel, boasting ‘Balmain’s Oldest Licensed Hotel’… that’s quite a claim! There is a small restaurant at the back of the hotel. Maybe next time we will have to do a pub crawl.
Information
Where: Birchgrove – Sydney Inner West – 5km West of CBD
Allow: 1/2 day
Website: Birchgrove
Visit: Ballast Point Park | Other Historic Sites | Walks Inner West
Getting There
Drive: 15 minutes from the CBD .
Ferry: From Circular Quay to Birchgrove and Balmain
- Balmain – Thames St Wharf near Mort Bay Park
- East Balmain – end of Darling St
- Birchgrove – end of Louisa Rd.
For a short 10-15 minute walk one way, catch the ferry to Balmain Thames St Wharf, adjacent to Mort Bay Park.
For a longer 20-30 minute walk one way, catch the ferry to East Balmain Wharf and wander through the streets and via Mort Bay Park.
Bus: The area is also served by a number of buses.
Map Ballast Point Park
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