Sydney with a 1 year old - where to stay

[Apphia]

We're spending 3 weeks in Sydney this November for a wedding and have accommodation sorted for the first couple of weeks in Manly.

I'd love some advice as to where's best to spend the final week bearing in mind we'll have our 1 year old daughter with us. At the moment i've found options in Tamarama and Paddington but can't decide whether it's better to stay by the beach and travel into the city or vice versa (though I know Paddington isn't particularly central).

We're looking for somewhere with a bit of cafe culture etc - any suggestions from those in the know?

I'm stumped!

Newtown or Leichdart are very cafe culture, so is Balmain, and Surry Hills or they were the last time i was home 4 years ago.

If you want somewhere buzzymy pick would be Newtown.

We live in Manly, stay here, its lovely!!

However, it can be a bit of a hassle (and expensive) getting the ferry over to the city every time you want to go, so I would probably say Newtown or maybe around Pyremont as you'll be close to Darling Harbour which is very family orientated.

I used to live in Balmain, and can heartily recommend that as a great place for hanging out for the cafe culture, interesting shops and Saturday market (and there are some good playgrounds) but there aren't many places to stay round there.

Obviously it depends on your budget, but I would stay centrally, that way you can easily hop on a ferry or bus or train to get to all the interesting different suburbs. One place I have been staying in regularly for a decade or so is the York Apartments - serviced apartments, which means loads more space than a standard hotel room, and you get a proper kitchen and washing machine, which is also very handy if you are travelling with DCs.

It is extremely central - almost on top of Wynyard station, short walk down to Circular Quay, the Rocks and the opera house, very close to central shopping district etc. We've always been very happy with it. Oh, and there's a rooftop swimming pool. The only negative I can think of is that since it is close to one of the exit roads from the harbour bridge, there can be a bit of traffic noise.

I agree with livinginoz. Pyrmont or Ultimo would be a good pick and Darling Harbour is very family friendly and is only a short walk to the city or central station.
I like the Goldsborough www.oakshotelsresorts.com/Oaks-Goldsbrough/ as it is an apartment with kitchenette, has a pool and is well priced.