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Whether you are visiting Sydney or live here, you should take a stroll in Annandale. Annandale is fortunate to have wide streets, footpaths and few driveways - which makes it ideal for walking. This is a leisurely exploration of Annandale. You can take one hour or several.
Local walkers and joggers are up before first light to take a daily constitutional down to Federal/Bicentennial park on the foreshore of Rozelle Bay.
Check out Joel Tarling's Annandale Sketches
From the Rozelle Bay light rail stop, check out the Paris End of Annandale by heading along Annandale St to Booth St.
At Booth St, turn left and walk into the centre of Annandale, past the gothic post office, for a drink under the grapevine, at a cafe or in the pub.
Then head South along Johnston St, noting the Neighbourhood Centre and Churches on your left and right - the Anglican, Uniting, Presbyterian and Catholic.
The Annandale Neighbourhood Centre was once the council chambers for the Municipality of Annandale. In 1949 the Annandale Council amalgamated with Balmain and Leichhardt Councils to form the Municipality of Leichhardt. There are photographs of the Annandale Councillors on display in the hallway - including the Inspector on Nuisances.
Continue across Collins St noting the spire of the Hunter Baillie and the Shingle roof and stained glass of St Brendan's catholic church.
There are a number of elegant Victorian homes and Art Deco appartment buildings along this stretch of Johnston St. There are also several aged care facilities.
When walking past Annandale School, look out for the gates of Johnston House which were relocated here, from the original home of the Johnston's in Annandale, which once stood on the other side of Paramatta Rd.
When you reach Paramatta Rd there is another pub. But if you prefer, there are a couple of cafes and a supermarket a few doors west along paramatta rd, as well as on Johnston and Northumberland sts. If you continue west, along Parammatta, you can gawk at windows of several bridal stores.
You should then turn and travel East along Paramatta Rd, where you will pass a famous Guitar store, rumour has it Ringo Star once dropped by. Continuing along Parammatta Rd you will reach the Annandale. A well known band venue and an opportunity for another drink if need be.
At the Pub turn left into Nelson St and head back into Annandale. Turn left into Albion St and then right into Trafalgar St. This will take you past the grand facade of the Beale Piano Factory. Now converted into residential apartments.
Continuing along Trafalgar St, you will pass some graceful victorian homes one of which has been converted into the WatBuddharangsee-Budhist Temple. Across the road is St Brendan's Primary School.
Crossing over Collins St and Continuing along Trafalgar st, there is a stretch of well maintained victorian terraces and you will pass the old Masonic Temple, now an Art Gallery. Where Trafalgar St meets Booth st, the large building was once a Kodak factory. It has now been converted into apartments. There are a few cafes and restaurants along booth st, for those getting peckish.
Head east along Booth St to the Nelson st roundabout and pedestrian crossing. Continue North along Nelson St, where you will pass a range of modern interpretations of Terrace houses.
Nelson street passes through parkland and under the Sewer Aqueduct, which was built in 1896. See also Images of the Aqueduct. The parkland has been revegetated, by the Rozelle Bay Bush Care Group, with plants which would have been endemic to the area. However, as a result of farming and forestry Annandale has no remnant vegetation.
Continuing along Nelson St, you get a glimpse of a dramatic limestone cliff face and maybe the abandoned Ronisch Piano.
Nelson St ends at the Crescent where you can catch a bus to the CBD, Glebe or Balmain. Alternatively on a Friday morning you can attend an Auction at Lawsons, in Chapman st (Opposite side of roundabout to Nelson St).
If you continue towards the viaduct, don't forget to look back on Annandale to glimpse the Witches Houses and Abbey high on the cliff top, above Johnston St. Note, there are public toilets, barbecues and a children's playground located behind the wetlands, between the viaduct and Roselle Bay Foreshore.
You can also check out the federal park wetlands, between Chapman St and the Viaduct, used by the Light Rail. Then follow the well worn path along Johnston's creek, before crossing over via the historic bridge, and along the foreshore or directly to the buses waiting at the other side of the park.
From here you can catch a bus into the city or continue walking along the Annandale to Sydney Walk
Comments and suggestions sought email marghanita@ramin.com.au.
For more information about Annandale NSW, visit Annandale on the Web.
This page www.ramin.com.au/annandale/walkingtour.shtml last updated 8 December 2008.