Sydney’s Paddington is home to a large proportion of Sydney’s gay and lesbian population and home of the world-famous Mardi Gras.
Bounded by the City on the West and Kings Cross on the East Paddington Street has some of Sydney’s best examples of Victorian and Bohemian Architecture.
Oxford Street is regarded as the epicentre of Sydney chic and cool, drawing the famous and infamous. People come to Oxford Street just to be seen or to see. The whole strip is built on cutting edge fashion and style.
There are dozens of places to stay in the area, catering for all budgets. The beautiful Hyde Park which is designed as a scale version of its namesake in London is surrounded by plenty of hotels, bed and breakfasts and apartments.
Oxford Street is lined with cafés, bars and some of Sydney’s best fashion boutiques. The strip is a shoppers delight.
One popular attraction is the Paddington Markets, which open every Saturday from 10 to 4. They are a great place to pick up a bargain or that something special.
Paddington is in easy walking distance from the city and is serviced well by busses, and is only a short stroll from Central Railway Station.
On the southern end of Paddington is Centennial Park, the home of the Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Cricket Ground and Fox Studios.
Fox Studios is located on the old Sydney Showgrounds and has been used to make films such as Moulin Rouge and the new Star Wars episodes. For a few years a mini Fox theme park operated here, but this has now been transformed into “The Entertainment Quarter”. There are many cafés, restaurants and bars located at the Entertainment Quarter, on the weekend markets operate from the old show ring as well as in Bent Street. The Showgrounds are also home to some historic buildings like the Hordern Pavilion, where some of the world’s best bands have played.
