Woollahra Village Guide
Everything you need to know about living in Woollahra village.
Where it is
Woollahra village is a leafy residential suburb centred on Queen Street, located four kilometres east of the Sydney CBD within the Woollahra local government area. It is bordered by Paddington to the west, Edgecliff and Double Bay to the north, and Bondi Junction to the south. The postcode is 2025. The name “Woollahra” is thought to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning “meeting ground”.
A brief history
Woollahra was proclaimed as a municipality in 1860, following a petition by 144 local residents. In the 19th century, the area was largely residential, with some small cottage industries in Woollahra, Double Bay and Paddington. The arrival of the tram line through Queen Street and Moncur Street connected the suburb to the city and spurred residential growth. Through the 20th century, Queen Street evolved from a local shopping strip into a destination for antique dealers and art galleries, a character it retains today. More recently, the street has experienced a hospitality revival with several new restaurants and wine bars.
Who lives here
At the 2021 Census, Woollahra village had a population of approximately 6,400. The suburb is predominantly residential, with a mix of Victorian terraces, Federation houses, interwar apartments and some newer developments. Residents are typically professionals and families who value the quiet, leafy streets and proximity to Paddington, Bondi Junction and the CBD.
Parks and outdoor spaces
Woollahra village borders Centennial Park to the south, one of Sydney’s largest and most popular public parklands, offering cycling, running, horse riding, birdwatching and picnic areas across 189 hectares. Cooper Park, shared with Bellevue Hill, is accessible from the suburb’s northern edge. Queen Street itself, lined with mature trees, has a pleasant village atmosphere for walking.
Getting around
Woollahra village is served by bus routes along Oxford Street and Queen Street, connecting to the CBD, Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach. Edgecliff train station is a 10-minute walk from the northern end of the suburb, and Bondi Junction station is accessible from the southern end. The suburb is highly walkable, with Queen Street, Paddington and Bondi Junction all within a short walk.
Shopping and dining
Queen Street is the heart of Woollahra village. The strip runs for several blocks and is known for its antique dealers, art galleries, homewares shops and boutiques. In recent years, several restaurants and wine bars have opened, adding a hospitality layer to the established retail mix. The street has a distinctly village feel, quieter and more refined than nearby Oxford Street. Victor Churchill, a heritage butcher shop on Queen Street, is a local landmark known for its design-forward approach.
Schools
Woollahra Public School, on Forth Street, is a co-educational government primary school. The suburb is also within easy reach of schools in neighbouring Bellevue Hill, Paddington and Bondi Junction.
Heritage and landmarks
Woollahra is a heritage conservation area with a high proportion of intact Victorian and Federation-era housing. The Woollahra Library, on Queen Street, is a well-used community resource. The Woollahra Hotel, on the corner of Queen Street and Moncur Street, is a heritage-listed corner pub home to the acclaimed French restaurant Bistro Moncur.
Local government
Woollahra village is part of the Paddington Ward within Woollahra Council, represented by three elected councillors.