The inner west suburb of Earlwood flies under the radar. But not, to the great relief of its residents, under the flight path. In these grounded times, aircraft noise isn’t much of a problem anywhere in Sydney.

Whilst suburbs like Marrickville, Stanmore and Erskineville get all the attention, Earlwood is fast becoming one to watch as the once under the radar suburb gains greater attention from buyers Photo: Vaida Savickaite

When air travel eventually returns to normal, residents in affected areas muffle the noise with a combination of heavy-duty glazing, industrial-strength insulation, earplugs and whatever other means they can find to dull the roar.

Earlwood, which is a suburb over from Marrickville, is one of the few inner west suburbs not impacted by flight paths Photo: Vaida Savickaite

Judy Playfair was so worried about the potential for airport curfews to be permanently relaxed after the Sydney Olympics that she relocated from Marrickville to Earlwood.

Her worst fears weren’t realised but she has no regrets about the move.

“Earlwood is not on any flightpath,” Playfair says.

Earlwood is known for having a greater amount of parklands than it’s neighbouring suburbs, some of which line the Cooks River Photo: Vaida Savickaite

Playfair, who won a silver medal in the 4×100 medley relay at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, is occasionally quizzed about her decision to live so far from the coast.

She regularly swims at Canterbury Leisure and Aquatic Centre and says the beaches of Sydney’s south and east aren’t too far away.

“Earlwood, like Canterbury pool, is a little bit of a well-kept secret. That’s part of its charm.”

Earlwood’s Greek influence has played a huge role in the suburb’s identity, with a variety of Greek restaurants and shops Photo: Vaida Savickaite

Ten kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, Earlwood sits between the southern bank of the Cooks River and the northern bank of Wolli Creek, meaning there are plenty of waterfront parks and reserves.

The suburb’s past lives include a logging camp, farmland, a returned soldiers subdivision and an estate for workers at a nearby quarry.

After World War II, the suburb’s Federation and interwar homes attracted a wave of Greek immigrants.

Many had come from more crowded inner-west neighbourhoods in search of generous blocks and easy access to their workplaces.

Earlwood’s lush green spaces, array of shops and easy access to the city makes it a great alternative from other inner western suburbs Photo: Vaida Savickaite

Greece is still the most common birthplace after Australia and you don’t have to look too hard to find seriously good Mediterranean fare, including Nieo’s Grille, Gyradiko Kitchen and Tsipouro Taverna.

Alexandra Stamatiou-Buda, an agent at McGrath Leichhardt, says buyers come to Earlwood in search of character homes like those in Ashfield, Summer Hill and Dulwich Hill.

“Here, they’re generally on a larger block of land and more affordable,” Stamatiou-Buda says.

“The majority of buyers moving into the area are not of Greek descent. They’re coming out of the east, the lower north shore, other parts of the inner west and the inner city.”

Buyers from other inner west suburbs tend to choose Earlwood in search of homes on generous blocks that can be found throughout the suburb Photo: Vaida Savickaite

The main shopping area is centred on Homer Street. Marrickville Metro is less than 10 minutes away by car.

The quickest public transport to the Sydney CBD could be by train or light rail from neighbouring suburbs, depending on which part of Earlwood you’re coming from.

There are two public primary schools and a Catholic primary here.

As the suburb gentrified over the last 20 years, Earlwood’s schools have become known as some of the best in the area Photo: Vaida Savickaite

“Earlwood Public does really well. People pay a premium to get into the catchment,” Stamatiou-Buda says.

“As the area has gentrified over the past 15 to 20 years, the public schools have really improved.”

Two to Watch 

25 Keith Street

A few blocks from the paths along the Cooks River, this double-fronted home offers a delightful combination of character-filled kerb appeal and contemporary interiors.

There’s room for a pool or granny flat on the 800-square-metre block.

Wolf Property Group takes the home to auction on May 1 with a guide of $2.7 million.

25 Keith Street, Earlwood NSW 2206 5Beds3Baths4Parking

4 Morgan Street

This bright, freestanding home on a 418-square-metre block is a short walk from Homer Street village shops and Bardwell Park station.

Sleek interiors in sophisticated neutral tones flow through to an al fresco area, pool and level lawn. 

Cobden & Hayson Marrickville takes the home to auction on May 8 with a guide of $1.8 million – $1.9 million. 

By ELICIA MURRAY