With easy access to university and college campuses and a world of food choices in Chinatown, Ultimo and Haymarket bring convenience to you.
HIGHLIGHTS
As you head into this area from the city centre you will find a wide range of options for a night out, including live music at the Metro Theatre. This popular venue on George Street is an institution for music lovers. Check out the Agincourt Hotel as well for your latenight gig cravings.
The Lord Wolseley is a Sydney mainstay that’s been operating since 1881, and officially the ‘narrowest pub in Sydney’.
You don’t need to go far for food options, either. The range available in Chinatown is phenomenal. For the best dumplings in town, head to the eternally busy Din Tai Fung at World Square. If you score a table near the kitchen you can watch the chefs as they fold your dumplings from scratch.
You can’t go past the yum cha over at Marigold. Literally meaning ‘drinking tea’ in Cantonese, it’s a custom you must experience. As the staff wheel trolleys in between the tables, piled with steam baskets filled with tempting aromas, you can try whatever takes your fancy.
You’re sorted for coffee in Ultimo, with trendy Mecca Espresso bringing the goods, and even roasting their beans in-house. The Pigeonhole Café dishes up tasty food, great coffee, and good vibes, open from 7am and until late on the weekends.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, spend some time relaxing in the UTS Gallery, which exhibits the work of students and alumni, and local and international artists. For a more electrifying time, wander around the Powerhouse Museum, and learn about Australia’s history of science technology.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The Haymarket Library, located in the heart of Chinatown, houses an extensive collection of English and Chinese publications – the largest in Australia, in fact. This impressive, three-storey heritage building also has daily international newspapers and provides free Wi-Fi.
Ultimo Medical Practice on Mountain Street has you covered for all your health needs, including family health, counselling, and pre employment medical checks.
The Ultimo Community Centre is your spot for learning, arts and craft, or sports activities.
Featuring after school care, regular art groups, sports competitions, and even tai chi classes, this is the place to meet new friends and become part of the community.
If you’re looking to get your heart pumping, the Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre, named after our five-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer, Ian Thorpe – or ‘Thorpey’ – features three indoor pools, a gym, and offers swimming lessons and fitness classes for all ages. Free Wi-Fi and a café are just a bonus.
FREE & FRUGAL
Visiting Chinatown is a must when venturing into Ultimo, and better yet, it can provide you with some cheap and cheerful grub. Get 16 hand-made dumplings for $9.80 at Oriental Dumpling King, or grab two curries, complete with sambal, at Mamak for just $7.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is your place to relax, rewind, and centre yourself amidst the rush of the Sydney lifestyle. It combines the traditional elements of stone, water, garden, and architecture into a stunning inner city garden, complete with a shimmering pond and traditional Chinese pagodas. At $3 for a student ticket, it’s a bargain for the calm and relaxation you’ll find there.
For a cheap lunch head back to The Pigeonhole Café, where for less than $12 you can get a coffee and panini to fill that rumbling belly.
