How Much Is That Duckie in the Window: Hurstville

Occasionally, I can get a little bit burnt out from doing this blog. After all, who wants to spend their weekends reviewing the residential streets of places like Old Guildford? When that happens, the best thing for me to do is to have a chill afternoon strolling and eating through a vibrant commercial centre like 

Hurstville

Hurstville is a suburb of the St George, most easily accessed by train after an easy 20-25 minute ride from Central. Hurstville Station, like a couple of its neighbours, has a less-than-usual undercover yet open air layout owing to a shopping centre built over the top of it. 

Despite the underground feel, it's an escalator downwards to get onto Forest Road. 

First impressions? This suburb smells amazing. 

Now Forest is a misnomer, because this isn't a place of bushland. Instead, Hurstville treats its visitors to endless Asian eateries (the source of the good aromas), 

Asian grocers,

including one which has diversified into offering both South Asian and South American,

and related services such as fishmongers, 

fabricmongers,

and, of course, maths tutoring.

Nestled in amongst it all are a few small pieces of park and public space,

but really, nobody's in Hurstville to enjoy the great outdoors.

So why was I in Hurstville then?

Lunch of course!

Having done my research in advance, I came to the conclusion that I'd never eaten at those Chinese places that have barbecued ducks hanging in the window. Hurstville seemed the place to give that a whirl. Luckily, I was spoiled for choice.

There's this one,

this one (featuring the world's most reflective glass),

and, of course, this one.

I went for the final one - Golden Sun.

My choice today was a "two meat with rice" where I chose barbecue pork and barbecue duck. Tea and soup are complimentary. 

My verdict, as someone who's new to these places? Well, the meat was juicy and flavoursome, which is always great, and complimentary tea is always welcome on a dreary day like today. I wasn't a huge fan of the soup though, which was a little bit too fatty in flavour for my tastes. Still though, for $12 this was a great feed. 

I also got a kick out of the staff member's amazement that I knew how to eat with the provided chopsticks (and I think she told her colleague in Chinese too). My proudest moment. 

Anyway, from here I was at liberty to continue exploring the wonderful streets of Hurstville. 

This took me past more interesting businesses, from the Nepalese,

to the herbalist,

to the Good (and more).

There's also an interesting urban streetscape or two, if that's your flavour. 

Satisfied I'd covered Forest Road sufficiently, I turned off to see what residential Hurstville has to offer.

In a statement: not too much.

Apartments of various vintages,

stairs McGee,

and the world's stinkiest ibis,

outside of the above-average local park.

I also found this house unusually funky for a mid-twentieth century brick number. 

Continuing on,

I made my way towards the Hurstville Westfield.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't bother with a Westfield, especially during a pandemic. 

But this is Hurstville, and I wanted bubble tea. 

Continuing the theme of trying things I hadn't tried before, I came to King Tea because they have the option to add "cheese foam" to your tea. 

Verdict? I don't like cheese foam in my tea. Ah well.

Bubble tea in hand, I'd now exhausted my Hurstville to-do list. 

Taking a Westfield back exit,

I followed these stairs, 

to this back alley,

and back onto the street. (I probably went the wrong way at some stage).

From here, it was only a short walk,

back to where I started.

Hurstville: The kind of place that makes me glad I live in Sydney.