What to know about Surry Hills
Local knowledge, each fact with a link to where it comes from.
At the 2021 Census, 68.5% of Surry Hills' occupied private dwellings were flats or apartments, 29.1% were semi-detached, terrace or townhouses and 1.1% were separate houses.
65.4% of Surry Hills households rented their home at the 2021 Census, and its homes averaged 1.8 bedrooms against 3.1 across NSW.
Devonshire Street between Randle and Elizabeth Streets has been closed to traffic since 2017 for the light rail; the City of Sydney's 2020 pedestrian boulevard report allows special deliveries along the tram tracks only with approval from the City, Transport for NSW and the light rail operator.
For apartment buildings the City of Sydney takes one bulky item booking per item group per building each week, with a limit of 4 cubic metres per booking, made through the building manager or booking contact where there is one.
Terraces, walk-ups and small homes
Almost every Surry Hills home is attached to another. At the 2021 Census 68.5% were flats or apartments and 29.1% were semi-detached, terrace or townhouses, leaving barely one in a hundred as a separate house (ABS). Homes are small too, at 1.8 bedrooms on average against 3.1 for NSW. A narrow terrace staircase or a walk-up with no lift can take longer than the load itself, so tell the removalist which floor you are on and how tight the turns are. See apartment and unit moves.
About two in three Surry Hills households (65.4%) rent. When a lease end sets your moving date, put the key handover date in your quote request so the removalist plans backwards from it.
Devonshire Street and the light rail
A truck cannot pull up on Devonshire Street between Randle and Elizabeth Streets: it has been closed to traffic since 2017, when the light rail went in. The City of Sydney's 2020 pedestrian boulevard report lets special deliveries use the tram tracks only with approval from the City, Transport for NSW and the light rail operator (City of Sydney). If your building fronts that stretch, plan to load from a cross street or a rear lane and allow for the longer carry.
Clearing out of a unit block
In an apartment building the City of Sydney takes one bulky item booking per item group per building each week, up to 4 cubic metres per booking, and it is made through the building manager or booking contact if there is one (City of Sydney). Ask your manager early in the week you move, because a neighbour's booking may already have taken the slot.
Common questions
Can a removal truck stop on Devonshire Street in Surry Hills?
Not between Randle and Elizabeth Streets, which has been closed to traffic since 2017. Special deliveries along the tram tracks need approval from the City of Sydney, Transport for NSW and the light rail operator, so most moves load from a nearby street.
How do I get rid of furniture from a Surry Hills apartment?
Ask your building manager or booking contact. The City of Sydney takes one bulky item booking per item group per apartment building each week, up to 4 cubic metres.
What should I tell a removalist about a Surry Hills terrace?
The number of stairs, how narrow the hallway and stair turns are, whether large items came in through a window or a rear lane and how close the truck can park.