An attempt to visit every suburb in Sydney.

Shakespeare once wrote "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" , so let's work out if that also applies to the subu...

Many Tree Hill: Roseville



Roseville is a suburb in the city's north, lying between Chatswood and Lindfield. The most convenient way to make it into the suburb is by sitting on the train for twenty eight minutes from Central.

Roseville station is quite nice. It's got that quaint vibe that these northern suburbs do quite well, with plenty of foliage surrounding the platforms.

I was actually in Roseville for quite an exciting reason today - I was recording an interview for ABC Overnights Radio! The gist of the story is that I met radio host Rod Quinn at the top of the stairs, who interviewed me in a few selects spots around the suburb. You can "podcast" a copy of the interview here if you're interested.

Anyway, like many suburbs, Roseville is split into two by the train line. I first departed at the western side.

This leads to a small commercial area on the Pacific Highway.

The main thing of note in this shopping area is the Roseville Cinema, an independent movie theatre in a historic art-deco building.

A little up the road you've also got the RSL, which isn't that exciting in and of itself, but it does sit in quite a nice memorial garden.

The radio interview ended in this alleyway just off the shopping street, and I was now at liberty to aimlessly wander the suburb.

This bit of Roseville is quite thick with trees, which is understandable considering we're quite close to the edge of Lane Cove National Park.

Add in the fairly steep slopes and you end up with the chance to take a few unusual photos, for suburban Sydney anyway.

Strolling along, western Roseville appears to be full of well-kept older houses, which is quite typical for this part of Sydney.

The occasional orange coloured tree along the suburb's wooden fences makes for a very pleasant walk too.

Eventually, I looped back to the Pacific Highway,

through the shops again,

and across to the other side of the station.

The small commercial area on this side of the station is definitely the nicer of the two, featuring a little bit more life and a lot less cars due to the lack of Pacific Highway. I think the word is "villagey". When's the last time you saw a milk bar?!

They've even got a historic post office.

Once more, I turned away from the commercial area to explore the suburb's residential streets.

Do you like heritage homes? If so, Roseville is the place for you. This suburb is absolutely overflowing with them, and some are rather pretty.

As a twenty-something who lives in a city apartment and doesn't own a car, Roseville isn't made for a person like me. That being said, between the trees everywhere, the beautiful houses, and the fact that the place is incredibly quiet, while still being a thirty minute train ride to the city, I definitely understand the appeal.

I didn't run into much else of note while here. This is Little Digger Park, a small and woody patch of grass with a bench or two,

and this is another roofy boi - minus the usually pointiness.

After heading past a cafe with folks enjoying their weekend brunch,

I wound up back at the station.

Roseville: More leafy than rosy, but I still like it.