Explore Mosman
St. Valentines will win your heart!
Mosman, on Sydney’s north shore, sits on a picturesque peninsula between Sydney Harbour and Middle Harbour, virtually surrounded by water.
Prior to the British colony at Sydney the area was occupied by the Bororegal tribe.
Mosman was named after twins Archibald & George Mosman who in 1831 were granted a 4 acre piece of land on which they commenced market gardening. In addition Archibald Mosman and his business partner John Bell founded a whaling station in nearby Mosman Bay. Archibald Mosman was one of the founding fathers of the Sydney Harbour Mosman & Cremorne ferry service .
In the 1880’s and 1890’s Mosman became the home of numerous artists’ colonies and the locality was painted extensively by notable Australian artists Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Julian Ashton and John Mather. (Visit the fabulous Mosman Art Gallery for works typical of the era and locality).
Established around the turn of the 20th century the strip shopping areas of Mosman and the Spit include some stunning examples of the architecture of the time, known as “Federation” architecture.
In about 1916 Taronga Zoo moved to Mosman from its site near Centennial Park. The word “Taronga” means “beautiful view” and it certainly has many of those! One of the most stunning sites for a zoo in the entire world, a sojourn in Mosman is not complete without a visit to Taronga Zoo.
Today the area affords so many leisure activities! Yet it’s so close to downtown Sydney!
There are so many restaurants and cafes – approaching 100 of them – of different styles of cuisine which allow one to enjoy snacks from coffee and cake to different ethnic experiences.
Swimming, sunbathing and ambling along the beachfront at Balmoral Beach are relaxing activities as well as enjoying the summer Shakespeare Festival, Mudgee Wine Festival and Carols by Candlelight. In addition there are several cafes and restaurants at this beachside location.
Taronga Zoo is a short bus ride or an achievable walk from St. Valentines, and the views from this location as well as the experience of enjoying the animal life are not to be missed!
Apart from the B Line express bus to Sydney CBD which provides access in about 10 minutes to Sydney its possible to enjoy a relaxed ferry ride from Mosman Bay to Circular Quay visiting the other pretty ferry stops along the way. Mosman is full of reception houses that host weddings and other events and St. Valentines Apartments provide easy and accessible accommodation for guests at such events.