Newtown

Overview

Newtown is Sydney's bohemian heartland, centred on the 2 km stretch of King Street running south from Newtown Station. It's a concentration of vintage shops, Thai restaurants, street art, craft beer pubs, and live music venues reflecting the area's creative, inclusive spirit.

Highlights

• King Street: An unbroken strip of independent shops, bookstores, and eateries — no chain stores.
• Street art: Murals and paste-ups by local and international artists cover laneways and building facades.
• Live music: The Enmore Theatre (1908) and Newtown Social Club host gigs nightly.

History

Developed as a working-class suburb in the 1850s, Newtown's cheap rents attracted students, artists, and immigrants from the 1970s. It became a centre of Sydney's LGBTQI+ community and counterculture.

Visitor Tips

• Evening best: King Street comes alive after dark with live music and late-night dining.
• Train access: Newtown Station on King Street makes it easy to reach from the CBD.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.