There are two words, both starting with “E”, which perhaps best sum up Wahroonga as a whole – Enchanting, and Excess. The former can be chalked down to the fact that this elite, northern Sydney suburb is undeniably visually appealing, with the skill involved in the design, building, and maintaining its array of historic, manor-scale homes something that has well and truly stood the test of time.
One of the pinnacles of where Sydney’s mix of wealth and bushland greenery collide, Wahroonga on the Upper North Shore is a showcase of pretty gardens, sprawling mansions and estates, and the occasional helping of unit blocks, little amenities and local shops sprinkled in. There’s an element of prestige that permeates almost everything within the suburb’s boundaries, from its homes, to its schools, to even the cleanliness and upkeep of its convenient train station which offers easy access down into Sydney city. While it’s impressive to gawk at and wander its largely-peaceful streets, Wahroonga also has a practical element to it, with a decent smattering of amenities & dining throughout, it boasts an extremely low crime rate in return, too.
Wahroonga is well known for its very impressive selection of assorted dining and cafes, forsaking some more practical services in return for an array of enjoyable eateries instead. These cover a couple of international cuisines and fast food, but are mostly standouts for their cafe, coffee and otherwise street-side al fresco dining is busy and buzzing at times.
It’s also home to several of Wahroonga’s prestigious schools, including its private variety that can include Knox Grammar and Abbotsleigh, both of which are historic, renowned for their education, and simply quite pretty to look at. Deeper into this part of Wahroonga off Fox Valley Road lies the suburb’s Adventist and medical pocket serving as a mini-hub of hospital, schooling and clinical needs.
It’s most noticeable and immediate star of the show is the suburb’s highly pretty namesake Wahroonga Park. This is a scenic and well-maintained flagship green area with a good mix of facilities such as clean public toilets, playground for the kids, gazebos, and a particularly charming flower garden that combine to make it for a highly popular hangout spot for picnics and celebrations alike. Sydney that has been artfully carved out of the native bushland.