Audio tour Humble to Handsome walk

Arriving by ferry at East Balmain wharf is the best possible introduction to Balmain. From the water, you can see the jumble of architectural styles from every decade since the 1840s. Austere Post-Regency stone buildings stand beside ornate late Victorian stucco terraces, 1960’s brick walk-up apartment blocks, and 21st century concrete and glass boxes. Balmain’s diverse buildings reflect its diverse population: it is home to bikers and barristers, movie stars and public housing tenants.

The ferry trip is a reminder of the importance of water transport to Balmain, especially in early colonial days when road transport was slow and hazardous. A steam ferry service from Balmain to the city began in 1844.