Randwick

Things to do

This diverse suburb is home to a number of heritage buildings, including a gorgeous Art Deco cinema and St Jude’s Anglican Church, which was designed by eminent architect Edmund Blacket in 1865. Founded in 1833, Royal Randwick Racecourse is an iconic Australian sporting venue and attracts a regular crowd revelling in the chance to dress up and enjoy the A-grade entertainment facilities. Highlights of the annual racing calendar include the world-famous Australian Derby for three-year-olds in April, which began in 1861, and the world’s richest race on turf, the Sydney Everest Carnival in October.

The Championship Races, Royal Randwick

Immerse yourself in nature and take the short walk-through Fred Hollows Reserve, a magical rainforested gully. The Museum of Human Disease may be one of the most intriguing museums in Sydney. Housed in the University of NSW, it is Australia’s only publicly accessible medical pathology collection. With over 2,000 specimens, you’ll learn about infectious, genetic, and lifestyle-related diseases.

The heritage-listed Ritz Cinema in The Spot was built in 1937. One of only two remaining Art Deco cinemas in Sydney, it’s guaranteed to transport you back to a golden age of cinema. Independently run, you’ll find an eclectic mix of screenings, from big blockbuster movies to independent films and niche film festival programs.

The Ritz Cinema, Randwick

Eat & drink

No matter your budget or cravings, there’s no shortage of delicious places to eat in Randwick. Visit the Newmarket dining precinct, which opened in 2020, and you’ll find wine bar Sella Vinoteca and outposts of RaRa Ramen, Cali Press, Ribs & Burgers and Gelato Messina. Acclaimed Baccomatto Osteria has also moved in, serving upscale Italian and fancy cocktails.

Kürtősh, Randwick

The junction of Perouse Road and St Pauls Street is known as The Spot, and has a high concentration of restaurants, cafes and bars. Try Del Punto for tapas, Kurtosh for Hungarian pastries, Maybe Frank for pizza, Soul Burger for plant-based burgers or Bat Country for cocktails. A university hub, you’ll also find an abundance of cheap and cheerful eats in the area, especially along Belmore Road. 

As you explore the boulevards of Randwick, you’ll discover a handful of charming gastropubs, such as The DOG Hotel, which has a range of craft brews on tap and a wonderful beer garden. The classic two-storey Royal Hotel Randwick, built in 1887, is a grand corner pub.

Royal Hotel, Randwick - Credit: Anna Kucera 

Getting there

Getting to Randwick is easy by public transport. Catch the light rail from Circular Quay, through inner city Surry Hills, stopping outside Royal Randwick near pretty Centennial Park, before finishing near Belmore Road, with the journey taking around 35 minutes. There’s also a range of bus options or if you fancy a leisurely walk through Moore Park, it’s an hour from Surry Hills.