Kings Cross & Surrounds
Click Map for a larger view
Originally a prestigious address where the wealthy built their villas, such as Elizabeth Bay House, Kings Cross later became the haunt of bohemian artists and writers and a ‘rest and recreation’ destination for servicemen. Today, ‘The Cross’, along with neighbouring Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay, is Australia’s most densely populated district – a famous nightlife and dining area and a magnet for tourists and locals. Down the hill, the once working-class area of Woolloomooloo contains delightful terrace houses and the Finger Wharf, now transformed into a glamorous hotel, dining and apartment complex.
Leisure
Parks & Open Spaces
To book a City park or open space:
Tel: 02 9265 9550 / 9265 9946 / 9246 7805
Email: openspacebookings@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Arthur McElhone Reserve
Situated opposite historic Elizabeth Bay House, this award-winning little park features a picturesque fish pond and spectacular harbour views.
Beare Park
On the water's edge at Elizabeth Bay, this park has views across the harbour, a children's playground, seating and plenty of open space. A great place to relax and unwind.
Embarkation Park
Located in Victoria Street, Potts Point, the rooftop gardens of the Navy car park provide panoramic views over Woolloomooloo Bay.
Fitzroy Gardens 
In the heart of cosmopolitan Kings Cross, these attractive gardens, containing the famous El Alamein Fountain, provide a great place to pause and relax in a busy environment.
Rushcutters Bay Park
A waterfront gem with tennis courts, a playground and cafe, plenty of green open space and glorious harbour and marina views. Ideal for a family picnic. The adjacent Reg Bartley Oval provides nearby suburbs with a highly-prized sporting field that is suitable for cricket, soccer and Rugby Union, as well as a delightful venue for concerts, festivals and other community events.
Walking
Historical Walking Tour
The City’s self-guided historical walking tour – Passion – will introduce you to the Kings Cross area. Download a brochure or pick one up from any Council Location for a look into the bohemian side of Sydney.
The Strip on The Strip
Take a look at the broken strip of bronze that is embedded in the footpath along Darlinghurst Road. It tells the story of a street that has seen it all – mansions, pubs, strip joints and restaurants; the rich and the poor, the famous and the infamous; writers, bohemians, transvestites, artists, crims, and just the plain ordinary people of The Cross.
Swimming pools
The closest pools are:
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Swimming Pool, The Domain
Tel: 02 9358 6686
Email: abc@belgravialeisure.com.au
Mrs Macquaries Road,
The Domain NSW 2000
Season: 1 September 2007 – 4 May 2008
Non Daylight Saving
Monday to Sunday: 6am to 7pm
Daylight Saving
Monday to Sunday: 6am to 8pm
The centre is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
More
Info >>
Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Sydney
Tel: 02 9326 0444
Email: info@cookandphillip.com.au
Fax: 02 9326 0599
4 College Street, Corner William Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 7am to 8pm
The centre is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
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Gyms
The closest gyms are:
Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Sydney
Tel: 02 9326 0444
Email: info@cookandphillip.com.au
Fax: 02 9326 0599
4 College Street, Corner William Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 7am to 8pm
The centre is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
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Juanita Nielsen Centre, Woolloomooloo
Tel: 02 8374 6323
Email: jnlc@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 02 8374 6321
Cnr Nicholson & Dowling St
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8pm
Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sundays and Public Holidays: Closed
More Info>>
Tennis
Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts
Tel: 02 9357 1675
Email: tennisman@unwired.com.au
Waratah Avenue
Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
More Info >>
Sports
City of Sydney PCYC
51 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo
Tel: 9360 5835
E: cityofsydney@pcycnsw.org.au
Library
Kings Cross Library
Tel: 02 9246 4530
Email: library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 02 9246 4535
Level 1, 50 – 52 Darlinghurst Road
Kings Cross NSW 2011
Monday and Tuesday: 10am - 7pm
Wednesday to Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 11am - 4pm
More Info >>
Entertainment
Museums, Galleries & Attractions
Movies
The closest cinemas are:
- Palace Academy Cinemas
- Palace Verona Cinemas
Theatres and performance venues
Shopping
The best shopping strip is Macleay Street, Potts Point, the location of delis and food stores, clothing boutiques, homeware shops and a major supermarket. There are several good bookshops in the area, and Elizabeth Bay Road offers a delicatessen, upmarket boutique and bottle shop. Other supermarkets and convenience stores are located in Kings Cross and Woolloomoolloo, and don’t forget the local Sunday market, held in Fitzroy Gardens – a great place to find new age items, second-hand goods, books and crafts.
Dining
There are over 200 bars, restaurants and cafes in the area, particularly around Darlinghurst Road, Macleay Street, Bayswater Road and Kellett Street, as well as leafy Victoria Street in Potts Point. Woolloomooloo also has some good options – from sampling a famous pie floater at Harry’s Cafe de Wheels (open until late every night) or enjoying affordable pub food, to dining on seafood, steaks, Asian dishes and Modern Australian cuisine at the fabulous waterfront Wharf complex. You can visit oldest coffee shop in Sydney at Rosylyn Street, Kings Cross.
Did You Know?
The El Alamein Fountain at Fitzroy Gardens was built in 1961 to commemorate the Australian Army’s role during the WWII battles at Tobruk in Libya and El Alamein in Egypt.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels was started by Harry ‘Tiger’ Edwards in the 1940s to provide pies and other refreshments to late nighters. On a busy Saturday evening the cart sells more than 2,000 pies.
More Information
For more information on local businesses, attractions, transport, history and maps visit Web: www.kingscrossonline.com.au
Last Updated: Tuesday 6 November, 2007
