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Stretch mozzarella on Botany Road
Head south down Botany Road from Green Square station and you’ll discover Omnom Cheese Making. Held in a cosy workshop space filled with greenery, funky animal planters and hanging light globes, you’ll be immediately enamoured with this cheesy Rosebery gem.
At these urban cheesemaking classes, you’ll be greeted with a glass of bubbles as you enter into a bright and modern interior. Pose in front of the words “cheese makes everything better” printed on the wall and get to know your fellow curd nerds.
Learn how to stretch mozzarella, shape squeaky halloumi or make your own ricotta ravioli from scratch using just a few everyday ingredients from your fridge or pantry.
Before you drain your ricotta or stuff your burrata with stracciatella…
Check out the local pub, Rosebery Hotel. Although newly renovated, the pub has a classic, old-school feel and an enclosed beer garden where you can enjoy a bite to eat or a comforting pint of Guinness on tap.
Maker’s tip: plan your trip beforehand
This cheesy afternoon comes with a bottomless bubbles package, so if you want to stretch and sip, travelling by public transport is the most stress-free option for this class. If walking to and from Green Square station will have you pushed for time, then the 309 bus towards Matraville Hotel will bring you within a minute's walk to Omnom’s shopfront.
Arrange a sweet bouquet on Confectioners Way
Travel to the centre of Rosebery and arrange flowers with passionate florist Nikki Zeng inside a bubble tea shop on Confectioners Way. As one of the few European-style florists in Sydney, Nikki will show you how to design floral centrepieces, bouquets and flower crowns, surrounded by fragrant, colourful blooms.
Get comfortable at one of her workshops and sip boba as you lay out, twist and bundle flowers into bespoke creations.
Prior to playing with peonies…
Stop by Haven Speciality Coffee for a creamy cappuccino. Shrouded in soft lighting, this ambient, bustling cafe is the perfect place to unwind, enjoy a photo-worthy brunch and experience Rosebery as the locals do.
Decorate porcelain ceramics parkside
Turn into Dalmeny Avenue and you’ll pass the homey studio of Inès PorcelArts teacher, Erica. Using a combination of colourful and cute Japanese decal and European porcelain painting techniques, you’ll be able to add your own flair to beautiful ceramics like teacups and saucers.
First stop, drop into you
If you’ve got time to kill before class wander around the corner to Sweetacres Park and get acquainted with some furrier locals. An open, grassy terrain with BBQ areas and a playground, Sweetacres is the perfect place to take in your surroundings and sink into a mindful state before exploring the world of porcelarts, a brisk five-minute walk away.
Paint with watercolours at a soup factory turned cultural hub
Head about 500 metres south down Mentmore Avenue. Here you’ll find The Cannery, an old Rosella soup factory that has been transformed into a lively food, drink and design precinct.
A place to peruse everything from homegrown produce to artisan spirits, The Cannery is also home to THE SPACE Gallery, a contemporary art gallery with strong community ties. Pass by the gallery and explore the mesmerising swirls of alcohol inks and vibrant watercolours or even craft your own calendar.
Maker’s tip: leave time to browse
With award-winning distillery, Archie Rose, at one end, and authentic, modern cuisine from the Three Blue Ducks at the other, The Cannery is the perfect place for a long lunch. Taste Vietnam’s lesser-known street food at Banh Xeo Bar or stop by The Drink Hive, Australia’s first bottle shop to offer wine and beer on tap.
If you’re there for the first Saturday or Sunday of the month be sure to leave extra time to browse the current pop-up stalls. Get to know local makers and leave with anything from homemade chilli oil to artisanal jewellery. Rounded off with a creative class at THE SPACE Gallery, the weekend stalls will give you a real taste for the community.
Feast on Lebanese food at Sunday Kitchen
Just a five-minute walk down Mentmore Avenue from The Cannery is Sunday Kitchen, a family-owned cooking school led by mother and daughter duo, Sivine and Karima. Inspired by heartwarming memories of weekend family gatherings, Sunday Kitchen offers Lebanese cooking classes with a focus on culture, sharing and togetherness.
As the name suggests, classes are held at mid-morning on Sundays and are rich with moreish dishes like melt-in-the-mouth lamb shoulder, Fatteh and foul salad and sweet Lebanese Maamoul, all enjoyed family-style at the end of the session.
If you still have room for dessert…
Stroll north along Mentmore Avenue and hit up the local Messina for the flavour of the week or head back to The Cannery for house-made beers at Frenchies Bistro and Brewery.
How to get to Rosebery
Rosebery is just six kilometres south of the Sydney CBD and is easy to get to on public transport. The closest train station is Green Square, but Mascot station is also within twenty minutes' walking distance.
If you’re coming from…
Sydney CBD
30-40 minutes by public transport
Jump on the 343 bus at Martin Place Station which comes every ten minutes or catch a train from St James to Green Square.
20 minutes by car
It’ll take about 20 minutes to get to Rosebery from Sydney’s CBD, depending on traffic. Two-hour street parking is available near The Cannery and all-day parking can be found around Harcourt Parade near Sunday Kitchen, all within a five-minute walk.
Parramatta
One hour by public transport
Catch a train from Parramatta station and hop off at Central. Exit the station onto Elizabeth Street and wait for the 343 bus from Stand E, which comes by every ten minutes.
45 minutes by car
Driving in via the M4, the trip will take you around 45 minutes with tolls.
Sutherland
55 minutes by public transport
Take the train from Sutherland to Sydenham and exit onto Gleeson Avenue. At the bus stop, hail the 358 bus which will take you down Gardeners Road in Rosebery.
35 minutes by car
Starting on the Princes Highway, it will take you about 35 minutes with the usual traffic.