12/15 Doncaster Ave, Kensington, NSW, 2033
Randwick: This racing 'burb has perks across the board
Located six kilometres south-east of the CBD and less than 20-minutes’ drive from the airport, Randwick has a cosmopolitan buzz but is also brilliantly positioned for enjoying the great outdoors. Close to beaches and golf courses, the suburb has expansive parks and reserves for exercise and recreation.
The South East Light Rail provides a speedy connection to the city and Circular Quay, and, with the University of New South Wales and NIDA in neighbouring Kensington, Randwick has plenty to offer those pursuing further education.
Home to the Prince of Wales Hospital, the suburb hosts a broad demographic from medical professionals and students to young families and retirees.
Celebrant Michael Janz moved with his wife Margaret from Brisbane in 2021 and has been pleasantly surprised by the sense of community.
“We would never have thought a suburb like this would have that community vibe to it, but it’s been so easy to meet people,” he says.
Janz loves the suburb’s walkability and the convenience of myriad shops and eateries, the light rail and the dog-friendly parks.
“We’re just a short walk from The Spot with the wonderful Ritz cinema and it’s a comfortable 25-minute walk to Coogee,” he says.
The couple bought an apartment in Newmarket, a Cbus mixed-use development that has transformed the former Inglis Newmarket stables. A livestock sales arena for more than a century, the project is in the final stages of delivering 642 apartments and townhomes, a unique public park and retail and food outlets.
Eat & drink
You’ll find freshly-made pasta at Seahorse, all your pizza favourites at Mammas and Papas, sweet and savoury crepes at Four Frogs Creperie and Spanish tapas at Del Punto. Wine bar Sella Vinoteca has made a splash in the retail quarter of the five-hectare Newmarket development, where Gelato Messina, Rara Ramen and Baccomatto Osteria have also found favour. Coffee addicts head to Cali Press and Cafe Mckenzie. Try Ayam Penyet Ria for authentic Indonesian street food or Jimmy’s Bar & Restaurant for a pint of Guinness.
See & do
Randwick is spoilt for choice when it comes to green space with Centennial and Queens parks on the suburb’s northern border, Fred Hollows Reserve and Randwick Environment Park to the east, and Paine Reserve and community gardens to the west. You can be at one of a handful of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches within a few minutes’ drive or spend a day at the races with the Randwick Racecourse on your doorstep. The Ritz is one of the city’s last remaining art deco cinemas and screens both mainstream and arthouse films.
