Lavender Bay, NSW 2060

The diminutive yet idyllic suburb of Lavender Bay takes its name from the picturesque inlet that it overlooks, with many of its historic homes enjoying captivating views across Sydney Harbour to the city skyline.

Peel west off the Harbour Bridge and you'll find yourself in this pretty haven which comprises just a handful of streets. They're lined with transformed classic terraces and a number of prestigious waterfront residences, some enjoying the rare luxury of a private jetty and mooring. A smattering of apartment buildings of various eras are also dotted throughout.

Throughout the 1970s the suburb became home to a colourful artistic scene, with the late Brett Whiteley purchasing a Walker Street Federation residence now known as Brett Whiteley House where painters, writers, poets, actors and musicians would attend raucous parties.

Other notable identities who called Lavender Bay home at one time are cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman and renowned artists Norman Lindsay and John Firth-Smith. It's not surprising then that The Royal Art Society Of New South Wales, an independent gallery and art school, is based in a gracious old building here.

Almost half of Lavender Bay is devoted to waterfront parkland, the best-known of which is undoubtedly Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden. After her husband's death in 1992, Wendy began to transform the overgrown unused railway land at the foot of their house into the magical sanctuary that it is today, which is now has government funding to aid in its upkeep.

While Lavender Bay itself is purely residential, neighbouring McMahons Point is renowned for its vibrant Blues Point Road dining scene while Milsons Point has a number of cafes and takeaways. Adjacent North Sydney is a thriving CBD and nearby Kirribilli also has a charming local village. If you're a fan of the jacarandas that grace Sydney for a couple of months in Spring, then Lavender Bay is the perfect place to gaze upon the pretty mauve haze. 

Local schools are abundant and highly regarded, both public and private. Nearby you'll find North Sydney Public School, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Cammeraygal High School, North Sydney Boys High School, North Sydney Girls High School, Wenona School, Monte Sant'Angelo Mercy College, Shore School, Marist College North Shore, Cameragal Montessori School, Loreto Kirribilli and St Aloysius' College.

Well serviced by public transport, Lavender Bay can be accessed via a number of bus routes. Alternatively you can take a picturesque stroll around the harbour to ferry wharves at either Milsons Point or McMahons Point or walk to the Milsons Point or North Sydney train stations with ease.