Village Vibe
McMahons Pt village has much to offer with it’s lively café scene, harbour views and leafy suburb walks. While it has a great selection of cafés, restaurants and bars, it is also a beautiful place to explore on foot. In addition, the charming Wendy Whiteley Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is only minutes away. Wherever you wander in this area you will be delighted, it is truly one of Sydney’s hidden gems!
Where: McMahons Pt–1km Sth of North Sydney or 3km Nth of CBD
Allow: 2-3 hours
Getting there: Ferries – Buses – Trains – Drive 10 mins from CBD
Also see: Lavender Bay, Waverton Peninsula, Harbourside Dining
What to See & Do
McMahons Pt fits snugly between Lavender Bay to the east, Waverton to the west and North Sydney to the North. Here’s a few suggestions of what to see and do… mostly eating and drinking, unless you like to walk 🙂
1. Cafés & Restaurants
In the warmer months there are many open air eateries to sit and enjoy the vibrant village street life. Being protected from the hot summer sun by awnings and large shady trees makes this a pleasant place to be. In winter, tables and heaters are lined up along the footpath inviting one to sit and soak up the atmosphere.
Our favourite restaurant in this little cluster of eateries is Moorish Blue, tasty North African food.
Only recently we ventured over the road to Delicado. Over the years I’ve photographed this place many times, with it’s striking black, red and white colour scheme and blackboard menu, all sitting perfectly under a large shady tree! It was wonderful to finally get a seat to enjoy a few Spanish tapas and a glass of wine!
2. Pubs
If you prefer the pub scene, McMahons Pt boasts 2 good pubs. Close to the village is the historic Blues Point Hotel which has recently undergone renovations ~ welcoming in winter with it’s open fire. Alternatively, the modern Commodore Hotel on the corner of Blues Pt Road and Union St has a leafy terrace, a great place to gather with friends for drinks in summer.
3. Walk Blues Point Rd to Harbour
On Blues Point Rd, just south of Lavender and Union Streets is where you will find the huddle of cafes, restaurants and a gorgeous little gift shop. If you continue for a further 10 minutes south along Blues Point Rd you will be rewarded with fabulous harbour views to the city and CBD (refer map below).
4. Walk Sawmillers Reserve
To the west of the village is Sawmillers Reserve with it’s shady waterside walkways and a rusted old shipwreck. Winding your way through the backstreets you can enter the reserve from a number of streets (refer map below).
5. Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
Head east from the village cafes, down King George St where you will come across some stairs leading down to Lavender Bay and Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. I prefer to take the stairs and leafy walk that start from Waiwera St (turn left off King George into Waiwera) and follow the stairs down to Watt Park (refer map below).
6. Walk to Berry’s Bay Lookout at Waverton
An easy 30 minute walk will get you to the superbly redeveloped Waverton Peninsular. Follow Union St west toward Waverton Park, then through the park to Larkin St will have you at Berry’s Bay Lookout in no time.
Hope you enjoy your outing to McMahons Point!
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