suburb No 17: Surry Hills

The first suburb in 2010 had to be the one that bears the very same postcode – Surry Hills 2010. 
Which was handy because Surry Hills is relatively close to home and there’s been no time to roam 
far these past few weeks.

My five minute research revealed Surry Hills to have endured a roller coaster ride over the past 
200 years.

In short, it goes something like this:

Cadigal kicked out in the 1790’s – British farmed the land – population explosion – crime-ridden 
slum – reborn by post-war migrant influx – gentrification from 1960’s to today. Now a vibrant suburb 
filled with restaurants, pubs, art galleries and the rag trade.

I’ve been many times before over the years but as with suburbs like Haberfield and Pyrmont, I’ve 
never really wandered the streets for hours on end, just for the sake of looking. I left with a much 
greater appreciation of Surry Hills’ history as well as its present day incarnation as a wonderfully 
colourful corner of the city…

Part 1: Red

Ruby red

 

red flower girl

 

it has spark

 

chop chop!

 

the colour of Asia

 

branch out (shot of house is from last winter - the tree is now in full green bloom)


 

or maybe not

 

let the battle begin

 

a classic check

 

the woman with the long black hair

 

Part 2: Gold

is everything

 

a gold mine (Bourke Street Bakery)

 

different religions (Bourke Street Bakery and St Peters Catholic Church)

 

time for a drink (Clock Hotel)

 

tropical Surry Hills

 

the bell

 

No 11

 

web

pink and gold

 

light streams in (Toko)

 

living walls

 

skinny lanes

 

but old spirits

 

Part 3: Green

green eyed 

 

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 1

 

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 2

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 3

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 4

some flowers can grow anywhere

 

hand-made (street art and sushi being made at Toko)


 

patina vs perfection

 

Part 4: Blue

protector of children :: 1 (Superman and the former Children's Court)

 

stick 'em up sister

 

Sagittarian?

chopsticks

Part 5: Black and White

the well-heeled mix with the downtrodden

 

window shopping (David met Nicole)

 

day of rest (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church)

 

which way will the Hopetoun go? (music venue currently closed until further notice)

 

is he?

 

an old butchers, now serving cooked cuts of meat

 

black and white

 

protector of children :: 2 (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and former Children's Court)

urban jungle

 

creator of crustacean art (Toko)

sun on screen
 

The beauty for me in Surry Hills - the way its tangled streets and lanes remain true to their history, 
peppered with handsome beauties that have seen better days but still stand tall. The street art that 
enlivens otherwise characterless walls. And the mix of residents, from seasoned old timers to fresh 
faced young hopefuls.

Next week - I plan on day tripping somewhere far far away. See you then.