Double Bay
Snap shot
Double Bay is a harbourside suburb of Sydney 4km east of the CBD. It has a population of 4,687.
Synonymous with glamour and elegance, this sparkling jewel on the foreshores of the eastern suburbs, Double Bay sits between Point Piper and Darling Point just 4 Km east of the CBD.
Knick named “Double Pay” because of the high end shopping boutiques and expensive real estate, Double Bay is renowned for being a haven for celebrity spotting be it royalty or presidents to movie stars and pop idols this is where they come to stay and play. More notable past visitors include Princess Diana, President George and Barbara Bush, Bob Hawke and Blanche d’Alpuget to more recent celebrities such as Miranda Kerr, Laura Bingle and Sam Worthington with their baby Rocket, Miranda Kerr to Russell Crow, who’s kids went to the local school.
This grand ole society dame knows how to keep relevant. Losing some of its appeal in the early naughties with the opening of the massive Westfield in Bondi, Double Bay has reinvigorated and reinvented itself not just offering amazing shoe stores and international designer boutiques, Double Bay is now a foodies paradise with marvellous restaurants, incredible cafes and mind blowing bars. A multi-million dollar joint venture has recently seen the opening of the Kiaroa Lands site making Double Bay a highly desirable liveable, workable and playable address. The development includes a flagship Woolworths, AboutLife, a retail arcade with 20 specialty shops including Mistelle wine bar, Little Jeans and Bake Bar Organic just to name a few. Also included in the space is the new library and commercial premises.
For the day to day services Double Bay offers the best in Sydney. Florida and Lawrence Dry Cleaning offer same day ironing and dry cleaning services and hidden in Knox Lane is Elite Shoe Repairs who will not only fix those Louboutin heels they can also colour change everything from your Chloe ballet flats to that so last season’s Givenchy handbag! Every Thursday from 8:30am to 2:00pm, Guilfoyle Avenue holds an Organic Farmers Markets with great fresh produce and fanciful musicians creating a welcoming village atmosphere.
Double bay’s natural beauty lends itself to do casual just as well as it does glam and high end. Redleaf Beach is an idyllic little beach which hosts a safe harbour side, tidal enclosure with a wrap-around pontoon and floating decks. Even on the busiest days there is plenty of space to swim and is great to dabble tiny feet. If you’re feeling peckish there is a lovely café serving light snacks but has a magnificent view out to Darling Point.
Steyne Park caters for the sportsman with a cricket pitch and hockey field and plenty of space to throw around a frisbee or football. This a great place to enjoy a picnic with gourmet food from one of the many beautiful cafés enroute and sit and enjoy the harbour view. It has a small enclosed playground, gazebo and public toilets which makes it a great spot for a kids party. On the northern end of the park is a boat ramp and an area used for sailboat rigging on weekends. Dogs are permitted here off the lead between the seawall and pedestrian path but best keep them away from the playground – fines are hefty here.
Currently the median house price in Double Bay (for March 2016) was $2,810,000 but with some of the best shopping, restaurants, services and supermarkets in Sydney, it’s a price well paid.
