Willoughby, Sydney, NSW

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Willoughby | Sydney, NSW

Why Locals Love it

Willoughby is part of Sydney’s lower North Shore surburbia. It’s close to the city and boasts amazing bush walks, parks and cafes.

Coffee

The Incinerator (Willoughby) located inside the Incinerator designed by Walter Burley Griffin – next to Hallstrom Park and Willoughby Leisure Centre. This cafe has seriously good food and coffee, indoor and outdoor seating and an art gallery downstairs.

Forsyth (Naremburn) located in the little set of Naremburn Shops on Willoughby Rd, Forsyth roast their own coffee and if you want a really good coffee or beans to take home this is the place to go.

Ritual (Northbridge) a very small cafe on Sailors Bay Rd that does great coffee and breakfast. Limited seating – perfect for take away.

Food

Yang’s Ramen & Tacos in Castlecrag. Sounds like a weird combo but this place is amazing!

Motza Pizza in Castlecrag. Really good proper Italian pizza in a family friendly but fashionable environment.

Via Alta in Willoughby. Traditional Italian food in a very nice setting. Great service and delicious food.

High St Bakery in Willoughby. If you can deal with the long lines to get in, you will be rewarded with yummy baked goods and really good Vietnamese Bahn Mi.

Outdoor Adventures

Northbridge Baths is a beautiful swimming spot for doing laps or splashing with the kids

Harold Reid Foreshore Track, a wonderful bushwalk that wraps around Sugarload Bay through Middle Cove and Castle Cove. The bush is beautiful, there are lots of animals to spot and the track goes past the Castle Cove Castle.

Flat Rock Gully bushwalk from Willoughby Leisure Centre to Tunks Park is a great shorter bushwalk with water running through the middle.

Tunks Park in Northbridge is a great spot for exercising. It has bush tracks on either side of it, 3 or 4 ovals, exercise equipment and a ramp for launching boats or kayaks.

Bike/walking Paths connect Willoughby to surrounding suburbs such as Artarmon, Lane Cove, Naremburn and North Sydney. You can walk and ride away from the traffic.

Transport

Buses are the best public transport. Trains are close by and ferries too. Uber and taxis don’t cost much to other suburbs or to the city.

Nightlife

Sailor Bar on Sailors Bay Rd in Northbridge specialises in gin and shared plates of food. The best spot to head for drinks close by would be Crows Nest, with heaps of small bars and pubs to choose from, just down the road.

Unique Experiences

Sydney’s Vivid Festival have lights on display in nearby Chatswood.
In summer there are outdoor movies at a sunset cinema at nearby North Sydney Oval.
There are tonnes of kid friendly parks and playgrounds in Willoughby – Willoughby Park, Hallstrom Park, Warners Park and so many more.

Meet Your Local

Wheels as she is affectionately known has been a Willoughby local for 6+ years and a North Sydney resident most of her life. Wheels loves bushwalking and long distance outdoor swimming and spends most of her time trying to amuse 2 small humans.

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