Glebe, New South Wales - Definition and Overview

Glebe is a suburb located slightly west of Sydney's central business district, in the Inner West, between Ultimo to the east and Annandale to the west. It hugs Blackwattle Bay, an inlet of Sydney Harbour in the north, and the southern boundary is formed by Parramatta Road and Broadway. Glebe's name derives from the fact that the land on which it developed was originally owned by the Anglican Church.

Glebe has a bohemian atmosphere generally attributed to the high number of inhabitants involved in artistic pursuits. Glebe Point Road (the main street of Glebe) has been noted as having a distinctive style, the buildings, although similar to other terrace houses in other inner city areas such as Paddington, are often decorated with an individual style.

In recent years Glebe's popularity as a backpacker area has been increasing as the Kings Cross area of Sydney has grown more expensive with higher crime rates and prostitution. Glebe has several hostels such as the Glebe Village.

From the tip of Glebe Point (at the western end of Glebe Point Road) there is a view of the central business district of Sydney and Sydney Tower and Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen in the distance. At its south-eastern end is the Glebe Estate, an area of Housing Commission properties purchased by the government of Gough Whitlam to provide public housing for the needy. This area today has a high level of Aboriginal population and a high crime rate. The suburb is, however, generally gentrified, and popular with students due to its proximity to the University of Sydney.