Project: Sydney and Surrounds. Photo walk 24. Balmain, Leichhardt

Postcode: 2041

Population: 9783

Balmain is located 6 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD and is part of the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt.

3 facts about Balmain:

1. The area now known as Balmain was part of a 550-acre (2.2 km²) grant to surgeon Dr William Balmain (1762–1803).

2. Numerous phrases have been used to describe the suburb and its inhabitants, including "Balmain boys don't cry" (former NSW Premier Neville Wran at the Street Royal Commission); "You can take the boy out of Balmain, but you can't take Balmain out of the boy" (Unknown); "There are only two types of men in this world: those who were born in Balmain and those who wish they were" (a Police Commissioner of New South Wales). Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating commented on the suburb's gentrification by using the term "Basket weavers of Balmain".

3. Darling Street, Balmain's main thoroughfare, features boutique shops, quality restaurants and cafes alongside old drinking establishments. Landmarks on this street include the Post Office and Court House, alongside Balmain Town Hall, the historic Westpac Bank, Balmain Fire Station and Balmain Working Men's Institute.