Discover North Sydney

Cricket history and events at North Sydney Oval

The first cricket pitch at North Sydney Oval was laid on 6 December 1867. This makes the Oval one of Australia’s oldest cricket grounds. It is a striking historical landmark for anyone interested in the long history of cricket. The Function Centre also hosts occasional sporting and special events. Which events are taking place during your trip depends on the dates, so the Oval is notable not only for its history but also for occasional events in present-day use.

From historic business district to a cityscape of office towers

The name North Sydney also has a layered history. The Municipality of St Leonards was officially proclaimed in 1838. From 1890, the business district in the centre of St Leonards was called North Sydney. The streetscape later changed: from 1957 through the 1980s, the area developed into a business district with office towers, described as a twin image of the city on the southern side. These dates offer different perspectives on the transformation: first the municipality’s official proclamation, then the naming of the business district, and finally the physical changes of the later 20th century.

St Leonards Park offers another historical dimension. It is one of the largest parks in North Sydney and is rich in history and heritage. The Old North Sydney History Walk describes a Conservation Area that extends partly across North Sydney, Waverton and McMahons Point. Those who prefer to explore history through a particular building will find a tangible counterpart to these broader urban developments at the Don Bank Museum.

A house, its residents and local history

Don Bank Museum, at 6 Napier Street, is the oldest timber house in North Sydney. The building opened as a museum in 1981; its exhibitions cover the history of the house and its former residents. This focuses on one specific place and the people associated with it, rather than on the development of an entire neighbourhood. The museum is a ten-minute walk from North Sydney railway station. You can use this stated walking time as a guide when planning; the exact route may vary along the way.

Together, the Oval, the city’s history and Don Bank illustrate different scales: a historic sports ground, the transformation of a business district and the story of a single house. If you plan your days around particular themes, these differences can help you choose suitable focuses for your stay without having to experience everything in the same way.

More to explore in the wider North Sydney Council destination

In the wider North Sydney Council destination, The Coal Loader is a heritage-listed former industrial site by the harbour, bringing together history, culture, industry, nature and community. Tunnel 2 at The Coal Loader is a public path leading to Balls Head. Balls Head Reserve contains numerous Aboriginal sites, including archaeological deposits, shell middens, artworks and rock engravings. These sites are part of the wider North Sydney Council destination and should be distinguished from the features of North Sydney Oval, St Leonards Park and Don Bank Museum described here.

Also in the wider North Sydney Council destination, the Gadyan Track offers a different focus: this 750-metre signposted bushland circuit around Berry Island is considered easy to walk. The name Gadyan refers to the Sydney carpet shell, which is commonly found in shell middens on the island; the track shares stories and legends of the Cammeraygal. Landscape and cultural interpretation come together there, while North Sydney itself is described primarily through its sporting history, urban transformation and architecture.

Discover more destinations

If you’d like to explore more places: Rockdale, Bankstown City, Bondi Beach, Miranda, Artarmon, Penrith, Palm Beach, Maroubra.

For the wider travel overview: Sydney.