The Sydney suburb where I first understood the joy of great neighbours

Until I moved into my home in Camperdown at the start of 2022, I’d spent a lot of time wondering whether I might just be a terrible neighbour. I’ve lived in 10 different places over the years and at nearly all of them failed to make any meaningful connection to the people who lived in the joint next door. In the three years I called one Canberra apartment home, I never once met my neighbours – a situation which ultimately became a little weird and unsettling.

In Neighbours terms, I had started to feel more like Izzy Hoyland (who, despite her status as one of the most despised residents of Ramsay Street, really only ever wanted to be welcomed into Erinsborough), than the widely adored Harold Bishop.

Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.Credit: Wolter Peeters

Thankfully, my real-life plotline changed for the better when I returned to Sydney two years ago from a posting in London to become the editor of the Herald. A day after moving in I met my new neighbours, Chris and Dave and their cavoodle puppy Jude, and we hit it off right away.

Having neighbours you can call friends really changes the way you think about your suburb. With long-sought neighbourly feels locked in, Camperdown – a wonderful suburb wedged between Sydney University to the east, Parramatta Road to the north, Newtown to the south and Stanmore to the west – took on a new life.

Chris and Dave have at various times been my best mates, counsellors, drinking buddies, swimming buddies, Camperdown Oval coffee companions, home delivery service (I always thought the “can I borrow a cup of sugar?” thing was only something you see in American TV shows), spontaneous dinner guests, or Grumpy Donuts and Booth Street Bakery banh mi procurers.

I have loved this year’s Summer in Sydney series and learnt a lot about the secret places and experiences that make Sydney the greatest place in the world to live. But Chris, Dave and Jude are a reminder that a suburb is only as good as those you get to share it with.

Best cafe? Store Espresso, facing Camperdown Oval. I’m there so often the friendly staff know my name and order without me really having to say it.

Best restaurant? Frank’s Pizza. The team are so lovely and the pizzas are the perfect comfort food. Cafe Paci, on the border of Camperdown and Newtown, is also sensational. Their potato and molasses bread with butter is a must-order.

Cafe Paci is technically in Newtown but is so good I’m claiming it for Camperdown.

Best beach, park or pool? The popular Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is nice but Camperdown Oval, back towards Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Parramatta Road, is the beating heart of the area. The giant fig trees are truly astonishing.

First place you take visitors? I know it sounds boring, but for a coffee in the sun on the oval. The simple things are sometimes the best. Some visitors are also strangely fascinated when I point out the Pyrmont Bridge Road public housing property Prime Minister Anthony Albanese grew up in.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at his childhood home.Credit: Louie Douvis

What would make your suburb better? Light rail running down Parramatta Road to the city, and in the opposite direction to the western suburbs. It’s a no-brainer, with huge potential to transform a vast stretch of urban landscape in need of some TLC.

Best secret spot in your suburb? The graffiti tunnel at Sydney University.