The best kind of places for bookworms are cosy nooks where you can be left alone for a couple of hours. Thankfully beneath the veneer of Sydney’s fast-paced culture are institutions that cater to a book-centric community. On top of having brilliant libraries dotted around the city, it’s also home to bookshop cafes serving their own brews and storied locations where you can linger for hours. Here are some of the best book-lined spots, reading trails and even towns that are perfect for book lovers in and around Sydney.
1. Gertrude and Alice
Few things are better than stumbling upon a cosy bookstore on a rainy day. Even better if the bookstore is in the heart of one of Sydney’s trendiest suburbs and within steps of the beach. Gertrude and Alice is a Bondi institution that has delighted Sydney readers for over 20 years. Also on offer is excellent coffee to go with your book and a close-knit community of regular readers. And yes, it is named after literary greats Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.
2. The Shakespeare Room
Fans of Shakespeare can find their next tragic love story at the State Library of NSW’s wonderful Shakespeare Room. There is plenty of literary inspiration to be found in this hidden gem if you’re looking to walk in the footsteps of the world’s greatest playwright. Even the decor is a nod to the Bard’s play As You Like It and you can get your hands on hundreds of Shakeskpeare’s most beloved heritage-listed collections of plays and sonnets. It’s one of the best places for book lovers in Sydney and is open 7 days a week so visit at leisure. Head here for more.
3. Southern Highlands
Did you know Australia’s first-ever booktown was established in 2002 and it’s a short 90-minute drive from Sydney? You’ll find plenty of bookshops dotted around Bowral and the Southern Highlands and snug cafes with a noteworthy collection of books tucked inside. It also has a dedicated book trail which will lead you to charming bookstores around the region with information on local authors and more. Find it here and start planning a weekend getaway.
4. Blue Mountains Bookshop Trail
Tucked away amidst the Blue Mountains’ many walking trails, lookouts and waterfalls is a wonderful bookshop trail that we were surprised to learn about. Lovingly curated by bookshop owners across the region, this trail spans 9 idyllic villages and features eleven bookshops sprinkled along the route with a substantial archive of books including rare and collectible items, latest releases, folklore and more. Find all the bookshops on the trail here.
5. Ampersand Cafe
You can’t talk about bookish corners in Sydney without mentioning Ampersand Cafe. The cafe and bookshop offers 3 storeys of floor-to-wall shelves stacked with books of all kinds. You’ll find unique second-hand books here, options to sell your own books, plenty of warm nooks to curl up in and excellent breakfast and brunch options. They also make their own chai, iced teas and fresh juices so you’ll never run out of wholesome drinks to go with your latest read.
6. The Book Station
Providing the ideal atmosphere for sinking into a thrilling page-turner is Caringbah’s The Book Station, one of the cosiest places for book lovers in Sydney. This lovely spot is all about second-hand books that have been lovingly passed down and offers options to exchange and wholesome meals to warm up with on a cold day.