Sydney Photo Gallery - Balmain

Balmain was formerly an industrial suburb that has been transformed into a hip neighbourhood today. After a short ride across the ANZAC Bridge on an express bus, I emerge in this lowrise community that feels like a village rather than an inner city suburb.

Balmain is surrounded by water. Here in Elkington Park, houses face the Parramatta River and Cockatoo Island in the distance.

Wake up and head to your balcony for a beautiful river view.

There is a ship repair facility on Mort Bay. Barricaded, it was hard to get a good photo of the ferries. The best I could do was from the rooftop parking lot. Would be great to have a house on here.

Colgate Palmolive employed over 140 people at this facility back in the 1920s. They utilized the waterfront location well and built their own wharf. The factories closed in the 1990s and the site has been converted into residential use.

The suburb slopes downhill as it gets closer to the city. With skyscrapers in the distance, you realize once again that you are actually not far from the city centre.

On the other side, the homes here get lovely views of the skyline.

Balmain East Wharf is currently closed for renovation. Luckily, the bus back to the city terminates here as well although it would take a bit longer. Next to th wharf is the Illoura Reserve, a former maritime repair centre that has been converted into parkland.