Where to Find the Best Study Spots in Sydney

One of the best things about living in Sydney is that you don’t always have to study in your room or on campus.

There are so many great places to study in Sydney that the choice really depends on your mood. Exam prep at a quiet library, or what about lecture notes with a sandwich and an iced coffee in Hyde Park?

This guide rounds up some of the best study spots in Sydney, from cafes to libraries to outdoor spots that make long study days feel a little lighter. And thanks to Sydney’s public transport network, they’re all easily accessible from the CBD itself or from student hubs like Redfern. 

Best Libraries to Study in Sydney

Sometimes you just need to focus. Getting away from the dishes, the distractions and the temptations of the TV to somewhere with the Wi-Fi and charging ports you need to lock in and get that assignment done.

Here are some of the best library study spots Sydney has to offer.

State Library of NSW

Located in: Mitchell Library, 1 Shakespeare Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

Outside the State Library of NSW, the Sydney CBD keeps moving at the same frantic pace as ever. Inside, everything is calm and serene, with high ceilings and long wooden desks. In fact, the State Library is one of Australia’s most impressive public study spaces, with silent reading rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, plenty of charging points and a focused atmosphere.

Spaces can fill up fast, especially around mid-morning, so get in early and you might even score a desk close to a window. 

One of the great things about studying at the State Library is the location. Once you finish your studies, grab lunch in Martin Place or head for a walk to either the nearby Circular Quay or Hyde Park. 

Green Square Library

Located in: 355 Botany Rd, Zetland NSW 2017

Green Square Library is modern and built for student life. Easily accessible through Green Square train station, it offers a mix of open desks, lounge seating and bookable study rooms for group projects.

With a cafe nearby, it’s no worry if you start feeling hungry during your study session or if you simply want a sweet treat.

Fisher Library, University of Sydney

Located in: F03 The University of Sydney, Eastern Ave, Camperdown NSW 2050

Fisher is one of the largest research libraries in the Southern Hemisphere. Located at the Camperdown campus of Sydney University, it’ll quickly become part of any USyd student’s routine. Student card holders have 24/7 access to the library, while opening hours for the general public are 9:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.

The floors are quiet for deep focus, while collaborative spaces are there for group assignments. 

If you’re living at Accolade On Gibbons or Accolade On Regent, you’ll find Fisher Library around a 15-minute walk from home. 

Great Study Cafes in Sydney

Libraries are great places to zone in and focus. Like all tasks, studying requires a range of environments, and sometimes you might want somewhere a bit more social.

We’ve put together a list of the best study cafes in Sydney. In these locations, you can grab a coffee and enjoy a more social atmosphere while you work. It’s just the ticket to stop the afternoon slump from getting in the way of a productive day.

One thing to remember is that cafe study sessions can quietly drain your account if you overspend. Remember to set a spending limit for these treats, alongside your regular food expenses and transport costs. 

Ampersand Café and Bookstore, Paddington

Located in: 78 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021

Ampersand is the kind of place you accidentally end up staying at for hours. It’s part cafe, part secondhand bookstore, with shelves packed tightly around warm seating areas. It’s a soft, productive atmosphere that’s perfect for solo study sessions.

The upstairs seating area is usually the quietest spot, especially on weekday mornings. 

The Library Café, State Library NSW

Located in: Shakespeare Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, within State Library of New South Wales

Situated inside the State Library, this cafe is ideal if you need an occasional coffee break without interrupting your focus. 

While it doesn’t have the traditional cafe feel, it’s very convenient. You can study hard for a couple of hours, grab lunch downstairs and then head back up without losing your momentum.

One Another, Newtown

Located in: Shop 1/131 Wilson St, Newtown NSW 2042

With its classic Sydney coffee shop vibe, One Another is the cafe students choose when everything feels relaxed.

Close to Sydney Uni and Newtown Station, it has a local yet contemporary feel with an outdoor seating area that is sure to be popular in the warmer months.

Head here when you need a reset space with great coffee, enough noise to avoid overthinking and plenty of transport links to head home again afterwards. 

Outdoor and Alternative Study Spots in Sydney

We all need regular fresh air, even when studying. Fortunately, Sydney’s great weather and abundance of green spaces make that possible. Here’s our pick of outdoor places to study in Sydney.

Royal Botanic Garden

When it comes to outdoor study spots in Sydney, the Royal Botanic Garden is hard to beat. 

Spread your study setup out on one of the harbour-facing lawns and enjoy the sunshine as you listen to your lecture recordings. 

While you won’t be zoning into work here, it’s a great place to come with a coffee and review notes or edit assignments with an unbeatably iconic view. 

Hyde Park

Hyde Park works well when you need a break without ending your study session. It’s central, easy to reach from almost anywhere and surrounded by transport connections.

Set up your laptop on one of the benches and run through a presentation or assignment before heading to campus.

The best time is usually in the morning or late afternoon when the park feels calmer. 

The Study Space You Already Have at Accolade

While it boasts great libraries and some of the best study cafes, Sydney’s pace can feel frantic at times. When that happens, the best study setup is the one already built into your everyday routine.

Accolade properties’ amenities mean you’ll have access to a study space that feels calm, practical and easy to use in the comfort of your own home. That means quiet study areas for focused work, fast unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the building, USB charging in every room and social spaces for group projects to unfold.

Finding a Study Routine That Works for You in Sydney

You’ll quickly form a routine around your favourite places to study in Sydney. You might try a library once and realise you focus better there than on campus. Or, you could find a convenient cafe that somehow makes assignments feel less stressful.

If you’re still figuring out where you want to live while studying in Sydney, you can always contact us to explore student accommodation options close to uni, transport and the everyday places you’ll actually use.