Surry Hills facts for kids

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Surry Hills
Sydney, New South Wales

Surry Hills Library and Community Centre

Surry Hills

Location in New South Wales

Postcode(s)

2010

Elevation

51 m (167 ft)

Area

1.2 km² (0.5 sq mi)

Location

1 km (1 mi) SE of Sydney central business district

LGA(s)

City of Sydney

State electorate(s)

Newtown
Sydney

Federal Division(s)

Sydney

Suburbs around Surry Hills:
Sydney central business district	Darlinghurst	Darlinghurst
Haymarket	Surry Hills	Paddington
Chippendale	Redfern	Moore Park

Surry Hills is a lively suburb located just south-east of the Sydney central business district in New South Wales, Australia. It's known for its mix of homes, shops, and small businesses. People sometimes call it "Surry" for short.

This area is bordered by several streets: Elizabeth Street and Chalmers Street to the west, Cleveland Street to the south, South Dowling Street to the east, and Oxford Street to the north. Crown Street is a busy road filled with many places to eat and hang out.

You'll find Central Station in the north-west part of Surry Hills, which is a major transport hub. Prince Alfred Park is also nearby, offering a great green space. Surry Hills is a multicultural suburb, meaning many different cultures live there. It has a special connection with Sydney's Portuguese community.

Surry Hills: A Look at Its Past
- Trams in Surry Hills
What Surry Hills is Like Today
- Surry Hills in Books
Getting Around Surry Hills
Places of Worship
Famous Landmarks
Homes in Surry Hills
Schools in Surry Hills
Who Lives in Surry Hills?
Notable People from Surry Hills
Images for kids
See also

Surry Hills: A Look at Its Past

The first land in Surry Hills was given out in the 1790s. Major Joseph Foveaux received a large piece of land. He named his property Surry Hills Farm, after the Surrey Hills in England. A street, Foveaux Street, is named after him today.

In the early 1800s, much of the area was open land, especially around what is now Prince Alfred Park. A few houses were built in the late 1820s. For a long time, Surry Hills was a mix of homes for wealthy people and houses for working-class families.

A Surry Hills street scene in the 1940s

In 1820, a cemetery called Devonshire Street Cemetery was created. Many early settlers were buried there. Later, this cemetery was moved to make way for the Central railway station, which opened in 1906.

From the 1850s, many terrace houses and small cottages were built. The area became a working-class suburb, with many Irish immigrants. It was also known for some crime during this time. A famous Sydney figure, Kate Leigh, lived in Surry Hills for over 80 years.

In 1896, one of Australia's first films, Patineur Grotesque, was filmed in Prince Alfred Park.

After World War II, many new families moved to Surry Hills because homes were affordable. However, from the 1980s, the area started to change. Many old houses were fixed up, and new residents moved in, making it a more upscale area. Today, it's a popular place for young professionals and families.

Trams in Surry Hills

Surry Hills used to have a tram system. From 1881, a steam tramway ran down Crown Street. Over the years, the tram lines were extended. The tram line along Crown Street closed in 1957. Today, some bus routes follow the old tram paths.

What Surry Hills is Like Today

Surry Hills has a mix of homes, shops, and light industries. It's still a major hub for fashion businesses, especially on its western side. The area is also home to a large and welcoming LGBTQIA+ community. Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (Pride Parade) often takes place nearby.

Commercial buildings on the corner of Crown and Campbell Streets

The Surry Hills Markets are held on the first Saturday of every month in Shannon Reserve. The Surry Hills Festival is a big yearly event that brings many people to the area. The Surry Hills Library and Community Centre is also a central spot for locals.

Surry Hills in Books

The famous novel The Harp in the South by Ruth Park is set in Surry Hills. Published in 1948, it tells the story of an Irish-Australian family living in the area when it was a poorer part of the city. A second book, Poor Man's Orange, continued their story.

Getting Around Surry Hills

Central railway station is right on the western edge of Surry Hills. It's the biggest train station in Sydney. Buses also serve the area, making it easy to get around. The Eastern Distributor is a major road on the eastern side.

Main roads include Crown Street, Cleveland Street, Bourke Street, and Foveaux Street. Surry Hills is also close enough to the Sydney CBD that you can easily walk there. There are also many bike paths for cyclists.

A new light rail system, the CBD and South East Light Rail, opened in Surry Hills in 2019 and 2020. This project helped connect the area even better to other parts of Sydney.

Places of Worship

Surry Hills has many different places of worship for various faiths.

St Peters Catholic Church

Buddhist Temple

Chinese Presbyterian Church
Christian Israelite Church
Dawn of Islam Mosque
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
King Faisal Mosque
St Peters Catholic Church
Surry Hills Baptist Church
Sydney Streetlevel Mission (The Salvation Army)

Famous Landmarks

Surry Hills is home to many interesting landmarks.

Prince Alfred Park

White Horse Hotel

Surry Hills' Rainbow Crossing, celebrating the area's LGBTQIA+ community

Sydney Police Centre
Belvoir Street Theatre
Prince Alfred Park & Swimming Pool
Tom Mann Theatre
Harmony Park
Ward Park
Rainbow Crossing, Taylor Square
Surry Hills Library and Community Centre
The Kirk

Restaurants and Cafes

Surry Hills is famous for its huge number of cafes and restaurants. You can find almost any type of food here! It's one of the best places in Sydney to try different cuisines.

Pubs and Bars

Because of its history, Surry Hills has many pubs. These buildings often have beautiful old designs, from Victorian to Art Deco styles. Many have been updated to include modern restaurants and facilities.

Historic Buildings

Surry Hills has many buildings that are important to its history. Some of these are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, meaning they are protected.

Durham Hall
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Surry Hills
Busby's Bore (an old water tunnel)
Cleveland House, Surry Hills
Crown Street Public School
Crown Street Reservoir
Hopetoun Hotel

Heritage-listed former police station

Other important historic buildings include:

Bourke Street Public School
Children's Court
Former Police Station
Society of Friends Meeting House

Homes in Surry Hills

Terraces on Nichols Street

Most homes in Surry Hills are grand Victorian terraced houses. These are long, narrow houses built in a row. There are also some public housing units. Some old buildings, like former hospitals, have been turned into apartments.

Schools in Surry Hills

Cleveland Street Intensive English High School

Surry Hills has several schools, including:

Bourke Street Public School
Crown Street Public School
Sydney Community College
Australian Institute of Music (Sydney Campus)

Who Lives in Surry Hills?

Surry Hills is a mix of people. Many wealthy newcomers have moved in, but there are also people who have lived there for a very long time.

In 2021, the population of Surry Hills was about 15,828 people. Most homes (68.5%) are flats or apartments. Many people in Surry Hills don't own a car (47.5% of homes). A lot of people walk or use public transport to get to work. Many also work from home.

Historically, after World War II, many immigrants from Europe, especially from Greece, Portugal, and Italy, came to live in Surry Hills. Today, while many people speak English, you can also hear languages like Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, and Greek spoken at home.

Notable People from Surry Hills

Jimmy Hannan (1937–2019), a well-known radio and television host.
Kate Leigh (1881–1964), a famous figure who lived in Surry Hills for many years.
Jessica Mauboy, (born 1989) a popular singer and actress.
Ruth Park (1917–2010), an author whose famous book The Harp in the South was set in Surry Hills.
Kenneth Slessor (1901–1972), a poet who wrote many poems about Surry Hills.
Brett Whiteley (1939–1992), a famous artist who had a studio in Surry Hills.