Every area has those secret places that only the locals know about. From cool bars and restaurants, to amazing beaches or hikes, here’s how to spot where the fun happens in your neighbourhood.
If you’ve just moved to a new area, or it’s been a while since you’ve really explored your current one, it’s time to get your finger on the pulse.
Lines run deep for the pork rolls at Banh Mi Thit Nguoi in Marrickville, NSW. Picture: Kate Hunter
Take advantage of all the possibilities in your area with these out-of-the-box ideas.
Top-secret night spots
If you’re in or around an urban area, chances are there’s more than one speakeasy in your midst. Drawing on drinking traditions of the prohibition era, speakeasy bars are hidden away from the unknowing passersby.
For instance, if you’re in Sydney’s inner west, a closed butcher shop hides the popular watering hole, Earl’s Juke Joint. In Collingwood, you’ll find 16-seat cocktail bar Above Board hidden behind an unmarked door and up a flight of stairs. In Brisbane’s Woolloongabba, Jack Rabbits Whisky Bar is found on the other side of an old wardrobe.
A quick Google search of hidden bars in your area or closest city will help you stake out the latest.
Find fresh produce
Track down your local farmer’s market or fresh grocer to really get in touch with your neighbourhood. In Sydney’s inner west, the Sunday morning Marrickville Organic Food Markets are a favourite with locals and visitors alike, hidden within an unassuming residential area on Addison Rd.
If you don’t know of any markets in your area, ask local cafes or health-food stores where a local might help you out.
Browse the local vendors to compare the best produce in your area. Picture: Kate Hunter
Real estate agent Charles Bailey from Urbane Newtown says simply showing up to markets will get you the insider scoop from all the growers on where they’ll next be, and new markets likely to pop up. You heard it here first Sydney inner-westerners: Erskineville may be the next suburb to get its own market!
The Australian Farmers’ Market Association also has a handy ‘find a market’ tool on its website.
Perfect picnic spots
Want a private picnic spot? Better hit the ground! Go for a walk or hike with your lunch and discover somewhere to eat with a view. If you live in or near a major city, chances are you live close to somewhere with stunning water views. Look for parks or reserves overlooking beaches, rivers or even atop hills in surrounding suburbs.
Grab lunch and find a spare patch of grass to eat it on! It’ll help you to see your suburb in a new light. Picture: Getty
For instance, thanks to Sydney’s far-reaching river network, you can find water views within a short drive of almost anywhere.
“There are also plenty of little parks that are hidden away beyond plain sight,” Charles says. “In Newtown, Hollis Park is a great little one for kids and dog walkers. Camperdown Oval has just undergone a massive restoration with table-tennis tables, basketball courts and tennis courts brought in. They’ve even got a wall where you can do your own graffiti!”
Secret gardens
Cities are full of secret gardens! If you want to try your hand at either growing or buying local blooms, websites like Local Harvest can direct you to community gardens. Go for a drive and you might find a relaxing hideaway to just sit and watch the clouds.
Discover your suburb’s community edible garden to unearth potential additions to your next meal! Picture: Getty
Then there’s also secret community gardens – where you can harvest herbs and veggies to use in your own cooking. “Newtown’s Oxford St holds one of the most successful community gardens in Sydney’s inner west, and there’s also a massive seasonal garden at Camperdown Commons, the old Camperdown Bowling Club, where the onsite restaurants invent menu items from the produce,” Charles says.
One-of-a-kind finds
Explore the op shops and antique stores in your area to find actual hidden treasures. While you’ll be able to search online for stores, beat antique hunters at their own game by hunting down local markets or garage sales via online directories or Facebook. The real estate agent who helped you find the property is also a pretty good bet.
Charles, who knows Newtown better than most, says: “You’ll find the quirkiest op shops down the south end of King St, near St Peters. Always ask your local real estate agent for hidden treasures; it’s their job to know the area!”
