Your Woollahra newsletter. Every Wednesday, free.

Painting workshop at Woollahra Gallery this June

Kyra Henley is running a three-part self-portraiture workshop at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf across three Saturday mornings in June and July. You start with collage, work up to canvas, and finish with a resolved painting. Good one if you've been meaning to actually make something rather than just look at it.

Corporate Bushcare days at Cooper Park are a thing

If your workplace does team building days, this is a much better option than an escape room. Woollahra Council runs corporate Bushcare sessions at Cooper Park — they supply the gear, you supply the bodies. Email bushcare@woollahra.nsw.gov.au to get something in the diary.

Council heritage-listing trees to block new homes

Woollahra Council is reportedly heritage-listing individual trees around the new Woollahra Station site, in a move that would block thousands of new homes. The Planning Minister isn't happy, calling it standing in the way of much-needed housing. This one's going to run and run.

Art Deco maisonette for sale near Centennial Park

This one on Ocean Street is worth a look if you've been hunting for something with a bit more space than a standard apartment. It's a two-level Art Deco place, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with a private terrace and a courtyard below. Literally 100m from the Woollahra Gates.

Jennifer Turner show opens at Woollahra gallery next week

Jennifer Turner's new show opens on 25 June — floral, contemporary, and worth getting on the mailing list for early catalogue access this weekend. Good one to catch if you're around Woollahra.

Monthly poetry nights at Woollahra Gallery are back

Poetica Petit runs one Thursday a month at the Cultural Hub at Redleaf — guest poet, live music, and an open mic if you're feeling brave. Next one is 18 June with poet Yvette Henry Holt and folk singer Don Leaton. Good excuse to finally use that Double Bay Wharf ferry.

Council wants your thoughts on affordable housing

Woollahra Council has put its Draft Affordable Housing Policy up for public feedback until 12 July. Worth reading if you care about what the NSW Government's rezoning push means for renters and young families in the area. Head to Your Say Woollahra to weigh in.

New show at Woollahra Gallery worth checking out

Myth Makers opens at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 27 May and runs through to late August. Ten artists across painting, film, sculpture and installation — including Vincent Namatjira and Jordan Gogos. Good excuse to finally wander down to Redleaf if you haven't been in a while.

Printmaking workshop at Woollahra Gallery this June

If you've got a teenager who's into art, there's a printmaking workshop at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on Saturday 14 June — drypoint etching and image transfer, using recycled materials on a proper printing press. It's for ages 15 and up, small group, so spots will go. Worth booking ahead.

Know a Young Artist? There's $500 Up for Grabs

Woollahra Council is running an art comp for locals aged 12–24, with the winning piece going into the new Youth Hub design. Five hundred dollars and a pretty good creative brief. Entries close 17 July.

New heritage plaque unveiled in Rose Bay this week

Woollahra Council just unveiled a plaque for Johnny and Rachael Baswick, Aboriginal leaders who called this stretch of coastline home in the mid-1800s. Rose Bay was a place of traditional ceremony and fishing for them — good to be reminded of that history right on our doorstep. If you want to nominate someone for the next plaque, the council scheme is open to community suggestions.

Mayor calls LMR housing policy 'a farce'

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson isn't holding back on the state government's low-to-medium density housing policy, calling it a gift to developers and a problem for suburbs like Rose Bay that don't have the infrastructure for mass apartment living. Only three LMR projects have been approved in Woollahra so far, but the pressure is building. Worth keeping an eye on, especially if you're near the proposed new train station.

Rushcutters Bay is getting a skate park

If you've walked past the western end of Rushcutters Bay Park lately and wondered about the new fencing, construction has started on a junior skate and scooter facility plus a mini basketball court. It's aimed at 8-14 year olds, so worth knowing about if you've got kids who need somewhere to be on weekends. Small footprint, apparently — just over 2% of the park — so the dog walkers can breathe easy.

Victorian terrace on Edgecliff Road up for auction

104 Edgecliff Road is going to auction on 13 June with a $2.6m guide. It's a corner terrace with DA-approved plans already in hand for a second storey addition. Worth a look if you've been watching that stretch near Cooper Park.

Regina Law show now open on Queen Street

New exhibition up at 10 Queen Street if you're walking past. Regina Law's landscapes are on the walls and the catalogue is online if you want a closer look before heading in.

More off-leash areas open across Woollahra

Good news if you have a dog. Woollahra Council has opened eight new off-leash areas, with five more coming, plus extended hours at some existing spots. Worth checking the council website to see what's nearest you.

More off-leash spots open across the area

Good news if you have a dog. Council has added off-leash areas across eight locations from Watsons Bay to Woollahra, plus on-leash access at Tingira Memorial Park and beach in Rose Bay, Derby Street Reserve in Vaucluse, and Murray Rose Pool up to the café level. Worth checking the full list on the council site before your next walk.

Affordable housing rules likely coming to Woollahra

Woollahra Council looks set to adopt new affordable housing requirements, which would apply to future developments in the area. Worth keeping an eye on if you've been watching what gets built around here.

New show opening at a Woollahra gallery this week

Regina Law's 'Shapes of the Land' opens Thursday at a Woollahra gallery — abstract landscapes, if that's your thing. Opening drinks are Saturday the 30th from 3:30pm. Good excuse to wander in if you're around.

New show opens at Woollahra Gallery next week

Myth Makers opens at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on Wednesday 3 June, 6-8pm. It's a group show with some big names — Vincent Namatjira is in it, along with nine other artists working across painting, film, sculpture and installation. Free entry, drinks provided, runs until late August.

Bushcare turns 20, and they need more hands

Woollahra's Bushcare program just hit 20 years, with volunteers out at Cooper Park, Parsley Bay, Trumper Park and more pulling weeds and planting seedlings every week. If you've ever walked through those reserves and thought 'someone's keeping this nice', it's them. Worth a look if you want to get outside and do something useful.

More off-leash spots open across the LGA

Council just added eight new off-leash areas across the LGA, including Camp Cove, Cooper Park's upper amphitheatre, Percival Park and Steyne Park Sportsfield in Double Bay. Hours have also been extended at Lower Cooper Park, Lough Playing Fields and Dumaresq Reserve. Good news if your dog has been side-eyeing the same stretch of footpath every morning.

Skate park construction underway at Rushcutters Bay

The fences are up at the western end of Rushcutters Bay Park — construction has started on a junior skate and scooter area, mini basketball court, and some new landscaping. It's been in the works for ages so good to finally see it happening. Should be a solid spot for the 8-14 crowd once it's done.

Holdsworth Playgroup Is Back for Term 2

Playgroup is running again at Holdsworth Woollahra if you've got a toddler and a free Wednesday morning. New themes this term — beach, fairy tales, music, that sort of thing. Good way to break up the week and meet other parents in the area.

More off-leash spots just opened across the LGA

Council just added eight new off-leash areas including Camp Cove, Cooper Park's upper amphitheatre, Percival Park and Steyne Park Sportsfield. Robertson Park beach and Moncur Reserve are in too, with time-based rules (roughly after school till morning). Five more are coming once some playground fencing gets sorted.

Poetica Petit turns four at Woollahra Gallery

The local poetry night is celebrating its fourth birthday this Thursday, 14 May at Woollahra Gallery from 6pm. There's a special performance from poet Elizabeth Walton and musician Richard Lawson, plus an open mic with a city theme. Wine, cheese and kombucha included — as a poetry night should.

St Michael's Vintage Fair is on this weekend

The St Michael's Vintage Fair is back this Saturday and Sunday (16-17 May), 9am to 4pm. Thousands of vintage pieces, bric-a-brac, tea and treats, and that ridiculous harbour view. All proceeds go to Nungalinya College in the NT, so it's a good excuse to buy more than you planned.

Holdsworth Playgroup is back for Term 2

Holdsworth Woollahra Playgroup is running again this term, with weekly themes covering everything from beach adventures to NAIDOC celebrations. It's a relaxed morning out for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, with the added bonus of actual adult conversation over coffee. Worth putting in the calendar if you've got little ones at home.

NSW wants to cut local DA notification rights

The state government is proposing to scrap council-level community participation plans in favour of a single statewide approach, and Woollahra's mayor isn't happy about it. The big concern: residential flat buildings, shop top housing, and school alterations could be approved without any public notification if they meet planning controls. Feedback is open on the NSW Planning Portal until 3 June, so worth having your say.

Free gallery tours running every Sunday in Double Bay

Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf is running free guided tours of its current exhibition 'Players' every Sunday in May, led by gallery assistant James Dorahy. The show brings together Australian and international artists working across sculpture, video, painting and photography, with curiosity and experimentation at the heart of it. Worth a Sunday morning stroll, especially if you're already walking from Double Bay Wharf.

The Woollahra Hotel's Pub Menu Is Quietly Impressive

The Woollahra Hotel on Queen Street has quietly become one of the better spots for a pub meal in the area, with a pan-Asian menu that goes well beyond the usual. Think braised beef short rib bao, kingfish sashimi with nam jim, and house-made curries worth returning for. The art deco front bar and fairy-lit courtyard don't hurt either.

Local Artist Opens Abstract Show on Queen Street

Woollahra painter and documentary filmmaker Martin Guinness has a new exhibition at Halls Lane Gallery on Queen Street, running 1 to 10 May 2026. His large abstract works are all about colour, texture and that feeling when a memory surfaces out of nowhere. Worth a wander in if you're already doing the Queen Street loop.

New show at Woollahra Gallery asks big questions

Hainanese-Australian artist Yanti Peng has a new exhibition at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, running from 8 April to 24 May. Public Eye(i) explores our screen-saturated lives through film, sculpture, photography and 3D work. Worth a visit if you've ever felt like your phone is running you, not the other way around.

Woollahra's Sculpture Prize turns 25 in 2026

The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, and entries are now open. Australia's first acquisitive award for small-scale sculpture is hosted right here at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, with a $25,000 prize up for grabs. The finalist exhibition runs from October to November 2026, so mark it in the diary now.

Teen filmmakers wanted at Woollahra Gallery this May

Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf is running a free filmmaking workshop on Friday 1 May for young people aged 16 to 21. Three working Australian filmmakers will walk participants through the whole process, from pre-production right through to distribution. Spots are limited so an RSVP is essential.

Composting workshop, writer residency and fuel updates

Woollahra Council is keeping an eye on fuel shortages but says no local services are affected yet. On 4 May, there's a free composting workshop at Rose Bay Community Garden covering everything from basics to worm farming, with morning tea included. Writers take note: the Woollahra Libraries Writer in Residence program is still open for applications but closes 3 May.

Waratahs Watch Party at the Woollahra Hotel Friday

The Woollahra Hotel is hosting a Waratahs vs Crusaders watch party on Friday 24 April from 4pm, with the game screening live from 5:35pm on The Terrace. A few players from the Waratahs squad are expected to show up, and there are prizes on the night including a corporate suite at a future match.

Woollahra's Digital Literary Award is open for entries

The Woollahra Digital Literary Award is back and taking entries for 2026. It's one of the few Australian prizes dedicated to digital literature, and it's run right here by Woollahra Council. If you or someone you know is writing in the digital space, now's the time to put your hand up.

Woollahra Hotel's Sunday Roast Is Back

The Woollahra Hotel is doing a proper Sunday roast every week from 12pm until sold out. Choose between roasted half chicken or pasture fed striploin, both served with duck fat potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings for $35. Book ahead so you don't miss out.

Cafe Cressida Is Woollahra's Lovely New Local

Cafe Cressida opened on Queen Street in January, breathing new life into the old Caffe Agostini site. The team behind Ursula's brought back a replica of the beloved Sicilian orange cake, and the menu runs from an excellent Iggy's toastie at breakfast through to a relaxed multi-course dinner with Australian wines. Worth knowing about if you're after a neighbourhood spot that actually feels like one.

10,000 homes near Woollahra station. Yes, really.

The state government has Woollahra station in its sights, with plans to build 10,000 new homes in the area as part of its transport-linked housing push. If you've been wondering why your neighbours are suddenly very interested in zoning maps, this is why. Expect this one to dominate the school pickup conversation for a while.

The Woollahra Station debate is heating up again

The long-dormant Woollahra Station is back in the conversation, with discussion growing around whether it should be reopened. It's a question that divides locals, especially with the state government pushing for thousands of new homes in the area. More people, more pressure on infrastructure, and a mothballed station sitting right there.

New show at Woollahra Gallery is worth a look

Jacquie Meng's latest exhibition opens at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 18 February and runs until 5 April 2026. The show features seven paintings on sculptural structures, one for each day of the week, inspired partly by her residency in the gallery itself. It's a good excuse to wander through Redleaf if you haven't been lately.

New six-storey block proposed for Edgecliff Road

A development application has landed for a new six-storey residential flat building at 115 Edgecliff Road Woollahra, with basement parking, a rooftop pool and communal terrace. Elsewhere in the area, a Point Piper strata block on Wolseley Road is seeking approval to convert back into a single dwelling house. The usual mix of renovations and additions are also moving through council across Paddington, Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Vaucluse.

Woollahra apartment in 'Wallaroy Gardens' sells at auction

A renovated two-bedroom apartment at 5/15 Wallaroy Road has sold in one of Woollahra's most sought-after boutique blocks. The north east-facing unit features marble benchtops, oak flooring and sweeping valley views. It's a five-minute walk to Double Bay village and Edgecliff Station.

Free Bus to Books Gallery Visit in Double Bay

Woollahra Library's Bus to Books program is heading to the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 26 March 2026. The free monthly service picks up residents with limited mobility from home, visits the gallery, and includes morning tea and a browse through the library's books, films and magazines. Bookings are essential, so call 9391-7100 or email hls@woollahra.nsw.gov.au to grab a spot.

Free open studio day at Woollahra Gallery this Saturday

Drop into Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf this Saturday from 3pm for a relaxed peek inside the artists' studios. Current residents Jaye Early and Rachel Mackay will be on hand to chat about their work in progress. It's free, there are refreshments, and it coincides with the opening of Yanti Peng's new exhibition.

New Group Show Opens at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf

Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf has a cracking new exhibition running from February through to late May 2026. Players features nine Australian and international artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, video and installation. Think found objects, layered photography and some genuinely playful approaches to art-making. Worth a visit next time you're walking through the neighbourhood.

Rasā House in Rose Bay is worth the hype

A new restaurant has landed on the Rose Bay waterfront and it's already turning heads. Rasā House at 639B New South Head Road serves South and South East Asian dishes cooked by chefs from India, Indonesia and Nepal, with the Lamb Shank Boti getting plenty of early praise. The space is full of character, the wine list is solid and the harbour views don't hurt either.

Your Local Bar Guide: Where to Drink in Woollahra

If you're after a great glass of wine close to home, The Wine Library on Oxford Street is hard to beat. With 350 handpicked varieties and a cosy courtyard, it's the kind of place you pop in for one and stay for three. El Primo Sanchez is just down the road too, if a tequila-forward cocktail in a Mexican-inspired bar sounds more your speed.

Neighbour Day is coming up this Sunday

Neighbour Day falls on Sunday 29 March, and it's a good excuse to finally meet the people on your street. Whether you host a driveway BBQ, drop off a note, or just say a proper hello, Woollahra Council is encouraging everyone to get involved. Small gestures go a long way.