Kings Cross, Sydney

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Kings Cross in inner Sydney is a hive of activity, probably more so at night than during the day!! During the day it is a pleasant area to stroll through, abundant with interesting characters and plenty places to eat. During the night ... well ... Im sure I dont have to tell you that this place literally comes alive at night time. It is "Strip Club Central" and probably not too wise to wander in this area by yourself at night, probably not during the day either!!! You must be very wary and careful while visiting Kings Cross, especially at night where muggings are common, but also during the day.

Kings Cross is in Darlinghurst Road, only a very short drive or train ride from central Sydney.

We were told that Kings Cross was the seedy part of Sydney and to be careful. I didn't think it was that bad. Yes there are some undesirables at night and some rowdy people outside of pubs but nothing I hadn't seen in New York. It seemed tame to me even with the strip clubs and sex shops.

Kings Cross has a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and interesting characters. The main focus of the "Cross" is the large Cocoa Cola sign which is a good landmark when meeting up with people.

Kings Cross is Sydney's most vibrant spot especially during the night. However, it is also very lively during the day. Many cafes, restaurants and bars are located here to choose from. Backpackers stay around this area as cheap accomodation is available. The famous Coca-Cola sign is just around the corner. Evening hours are best for people watching.

Kings Cross

Once the bohemian center of Sydney, it is now a mixture of prostitution, drug dealing, police corruption, trendy restaurants and nightclubs. Kings Cross remains today as the suburb that never sleeps. With all its sleaziness it still holds many fine restaurants and excellent nightclubs for all ages.

Situated 1.5km east of the city, it is easily reached by public transport, buses and trains run regularly from the city and Circular Quay. Although it's a crime related area mostly it is safe to visit at night. It is now home to the new dance club scene with over forty small sophisticated bars offering seductive cocktails and upbeat music.

Basic rules apply to this suburb as in any red-light district of the world. Don't walk down lonely dark alleys or lanes alone, ignore those whom pester and persist, watch your drink at all times as spiking can occur in this area.

The "Cross" which is locally known refers to the major intersection formed by William Street and Darlinghurst Street which also displays Sydney's famous icon the flashing Coke- a Cola neon sign. You will also find a large supply of backpacker hostels and budget accommodation mostly in this area. It attracts a fascinating diversity of people from budget travelers, colourful characters, tourists, bohemians, businessmen, artists, writers, sailors, and trendy locals. Kings Cross is a fun place if you ignore the sleazy underworld and really is a must do to see, even if its for a quick nightcap at one of Sydney's best nightclubs.

Trains: www.cityrail.info or call 131500 Buses: www.sydneybuses.info

Nightclubs

le panic - 20 Bayswater Road The Bourbon - 24 Darlinghurst Road Peppermint lounge - 281 Victoria Road

Soho Bar - 171 Victoria Street Iguana Bar - 15 Kellet Street Jimmy Links - 188 Victoria Road

Moulin Rouge Downunder - 39 Darlinghurst Road Lotus - 22 Challis Ave Hugo's Lounge - 33 Bayswater Road

Baron's Bar - 5 Roslyn Street Tonic - 62-64 Kellet Street.

King's Cross is Sydney's redlight district with a couple of strip joints lining up on Darlinghurst Road. Apart from that it's also a good place to stay with lots of backpackers (especially on Victoria Street) and nice restaurants.
Some people say it's quite dangerous and indeed you see some shady figures around, but I stayed there every time i visited Sydney and never had any problems.

King's Cross has for a long time been known to most Australians as the drugs and red light capital of Australia.
The strip clubs, topless waitresses, adult bookshops and tacky nightclubs are still there, but small, trendy cafes have sprung up on the fringes of the Cross that are attracting a different type of visitor. The Cross is most sleazy at night, when the bright lights come on and the action hots up. During the day it can look a lot lessYou will see some pretty strange sights around the Cross, an area frequented by people from all walks of life, and although generally it is OK to look, don't stare or make snide remarks as this could land you in trouble.

When we first made our Sydney hotel reservation, we learned that the Victoria Court Hotel was only a few blocks from King's Cross......Sydney's red light district. I heard stories of transvestites, prostitutes, drug dealers, strip shows, rampant crime and such. I spoke to the folks at the hotel and they assured me that it was no issue, and that the Cross was no problem, so long as you stayed out of it late at night. Sounds like any American city to me. : )

Anyway, when I finally got to Sydney, I had to go check out King's Cross, to find out what all the notoriety was about. It turned out, by the light of day, to be a pretty mild place. In some ways, I was a little disappointed. It was like going to see a really adult movie, when you're about 15, only to find out that it's adult because of the themes, rather than a lot of filthy language or naked women. Sigh.

Putting it another way, it was kind of like learning that the school bully is afraid of thunder. It's like being a weatherman in a desert. Rather than being an Aussie Sodom and Gomorrah, the Cross was more of a shoddy daytime Disneyland for people with nothing better to do. And as for safety, I'm not even sure about the nighttime warning. I know for a fact that lots of people sleep on th streets in King's Cross at night.

Go check out the Cross during the day, just to see it all. And remember, as bad as it is, or is supposed to be, they still have a McDonald's right there on Darlinghurst Street. You might be careful about ordering a HAPPY MEAL.

Two funny things about the Cross and our visit...
First, they have street plaques dedicated to famous individuals of ill repute.... "first cross dresser to climb Mt Everest"....that sort of thing. (I made that one up, but you get the idea)

Also, visiting King's Cross forced me to explain the concept of a red-light district to my very innocent teenaged daughter.

PLEASE SEE MY SEPARATE KING'S CROSS BY DAYLIGHT TRAVELOGUE.

The red light district in Sydney is a very seedy and somewhat shady area at all times of the day !!! A Hyatt hotel at the very entrance makes it's somewhat misleading !!!! Stay away from the alley's and stick to the main drag and you should be OK......avoid the various characters trying to sell you all types of drugs, don't make eye contact and just ignore them !!!!