Best things to do in Chatswood
By Joshua Sutton
A wonderfully diverse neighbourhood known for its exquisite food scene and stunning assortment of destinations.
Chatswood offers a thrilling variety of activities and destinations ranging from arts and entertainment to shopping, to incredible nature reserves, exhilarating entertainment, local markets, and spectacular dining.
While much of it can be found within the suburbs sprawling CBD, there are many amazing hidden gems to find all over and throughout.
Chatswood Mall Market
Enjoy food from all over the world and handmade arts and crafts at this multicultural market in the heart of Chatswood.
On every Thursday to Saturday between 10am and 9pm, the Chatswood Mall Market is great for foodies and those interested in craft, or for those looking for a quick snack.
In the centre of Chatswood and a short walk from the train station, Chatswood Mall Market provides a lively and energetic atmosphere sprinkled with buskers and great for outdoor dining and socialising on the go.
There are a variety of meals and snacks to buy at the stalls, praised for their variety and quality. Popular options include fresh dumplings, gozleme, jianbing (Chinese savoury pancakes), bubble tea, fresh pastries and baked goods.
Don’t forget to check out the variety of arts and crafts vendors!You might find something special for you or a loved one along the way.
And if you’re drawn to the lively vibes, 5pm to 7pm would be the best time to visit. Or the best time to avoid it if you like things more low-key.
Shopping Centres: Westfield & Chatswood Chase
Wander between these two premier shopping and dining precincts which beautifully compliment each other.
Westfield Chatswood offers the most variety of stores and Chatswood Chase provides the more premium shopping experience.
While Chatswood Westfield offers a mix of entertainment, international dining and major retailers…
Chatswood Chase provides designer brands, stylish architecture and an increasingly sophisticated food scene.
Of particular note are the Hoyts cinema in Westfield offering a variety of premium experiences alongside the latest blockbusters, and Hawkers Lane in the downstairs food court of Westfield which is designed to replicate the vibrant atmosphere of traditional street markets across Asia and is renowned for its exceptional assortment of food.
Dining & Food Scene
One of Sydney’s best food destinations.
Explore rich & diverse cuisines throughout Chatswood.
Although we already covered some of the wonderful food & dining scene of Chatswood with Chatswood Mall Market, Westfield, Chatswood Chase and Hawkers Lane, it hardly seemed right not to highlight the extraordinary food that Chatswood (as a whole) is known for…
Such as Victoria Avenue’s restaurant strip. One of the suburb’s greatest strengths is its remarkable diversity of excellent Asian cuisine.
Outside of the aforementioned food spots, you’ll find highly regarded local favourite restaurants scattered throughout Chatswood, such as:
Amah by Ho Jiak for contemporary Malaysian cuisine.
Mamak for its roti canai and curries.
Myung Jang for Korean BBQ.
Choji Yakiniku for Japanese charcoal grilling.
Phood Vietnamese for pho and fresh Vietnamese dishes.
Among so much more!
With an enduring depth of quality, many diners say it would be difficult to find a bad meal in Chatswood!
The Concourse
A centre of culture in Sydney’s North Shore.
A vibrant destination combining world-class performances, galleries, dining and learning.
Holding an outstanding variety of venues and features including the Concert Hall that hosts all kinds of musical performances and the Theatre that presents various musicals, plays and dances, The Concourse, Chatswood is the stunning cultural centre-piece of Chatswood.
Beyond performance and the arts, The Concourse is home to the Urban Screen, a massive outdoor digital screen that displays free screenings of films, live sports, digital art and major broadcasts throughout the year, the Chatswood Library.
It’s one of the largest and most modern libraries on the North Shore, and cafés and restaurants that line the precinct.
Perfectly positioned around some of the main attractions of Chatswood such as Westfield, Chatswood Chase, Chatswood Mall, Victoria Avenue and the train station, making this an easy location to visit in your time in Chatswood.
Parks
Peaceful bushland reserves, heritage parks, beautiful gardens, and more.
Perfect for those looking to get away from the bustle and experience the greener side of Chatswood.
Visit Ferndale Park, a bushland reserve stretching through the Lane Cove River catchment, following the tranquil Swaines Creek surrounded by native trees and home to microbats, echidnas, bandicoots, anthechinus (a mouse-like marsupial) and the vulnerably listed powerful owl. Take the Ferndale Walking Track, an easy 2 kilometre round walk through the lovely reserve.
See Beauchamp Park with its beautiful rose gardens, seasonal plantings, playground, oval, bike track, picnic areas and fenced dog park, located a short distance from Chatswood’s retail precinct.
Stop by Muston Park for its imaginative and varied set of playgrounds, large lawns, picnic areas and barbecues, especially great for young families.
Other notable parks include:
Chatswood Park & Oval hosting various sports surrounded by grand old trees.
Blue Gum Reserve, another beautiful bushland sanctuary in its own right protecting one of the last remnants of the endangered Blue Gum High Forest.
The Garden of Remembrance’s peaceful memorial garden honouring Australia’s service people near Chatswood Station.
and Mashman Park for its industrial heritage and unique history.
Games & Entertainment
Immerse yourself in virtual reality or have classic arcade fun in Chatswood’s very own Timezone.
Visit the exciting Mandarin Centre for the Strike Bowling Bar, Holey Moley Mini Golf and the Archie Brothers Arcade.
Hosting a great variety of immersive games and entertainment, you can’t go wrong looking for fun in Chatswood.
All within a short distance of the city centre and the train stations, locations and facilities include:
VR Kingdom with its specialised virtual reality escape rooms and multiplayer adventures where players work together to solve puzzles, fight zombies, explore fantasy worlds or partake in sci-fi missions
Strike Bowling Bar with its classic ten-pin bowling but also its wide range of alternative or complimentary activities including laser tag, escape rooms, interactive darts, karaoke rooms, cocktail bar with an outdoor terrace, and food
Holey Moley with its super creative 18-hole courses brimming with movie and pop culture reference, colourful art and playful obstacles, each hole featuring a unique theme
Archie Brothers with their colourful arcade machines, carnival-style games and prize-winning challenges.
Railway to River Walk
Experience a journey from the heart of the bustling Chatswood CBD to the tranquil banks of the Lane Cove River
A trail showcasing the stunning contrast between Chatswood’s city life and native bushland.
Beginning from Chatswood Station, this walk will take you on a journey through quiet residential streets before descending into the lush Swaines Creek valley at Fernsdale Park, through rainforest gullies, open woodlands and by rivers, and concluding at the Lane Cove River by Fullers Bridge, a perfect place for a rest or a picnic.