What are the best things to do in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney?
The best things to do in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, include Elizabeth Bay House, the El Alamein fountain, the Arthur McElhone Reserve and picnics in Beare Park.
Elizabeth Bay is remarkably close to Sydney city centre, but often overlooked. This is partly because it’s a built-up section of Sydney Harbour, and doesn’t have a harbour beach. But it’s also because boundaries are blurry in these parts of Sydney – Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Potts Point and Kings Cross hazily lap over each other.
If you’re not too fussed about going for a swim, though, Elizabeth Bay has its appeal. Firstly, it’s an easy walk from Kings Cross Station – you can check out the dandelion-esque El Alamein fountain in Fitzroy Gardens along the way.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
Visiting Elizabeth Bay House in Sydney
Elizabeth Bay also has its fair share of heritage buildings, the most important of which is Elizabeth Bay House on Onslow Avenue. This was the home of colonial secretary Alexander Macleay, who started building his trophy house in 1835. At the time, it was regarded as the grandest private home in the colony of New South Wales.
Elizabeth Bay House is built in the Greek revival style, and Macleay would have welcomed comparisons with Greek temples. The interior doesn’t quite match, though, with a handful of circular and elliptical rooms which were fashionable at the time.
Sydney Living Museums runs Elizabeth Bay House. Entry costs $15. However, at time of writing, Covid-19 restrictions had temporarily closed Elizabeth Bay House. You can still visit the delightfully pretty Arthur McElhone Reserve and its koi carp pond opposite, however.
Picnics in Beare Park, Elizabeth Bay
Otherwise, the main Elizabeth Bay attraction is Beare Park, managed by the City of Sydney. There’s a large grassy area, public toilets and a children’s playground.
The harbourside location makes Beare Park a fine spot for a picnic, and there’s a café at the neighbouring Elizabeth Bay Marina.
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