Austinmer, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AustinmerWollongong, New South Wales |
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Lookout from the Illawarra escarpment above Wombarra over the northern Illawarra plain viewing Austinmer in the foreground, Thirroul, Bulli, Wollongong up to Port Kembla in the far distance.
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 Austinmer
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 2,725 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2515 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 27 m (89 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | City of Wollongong | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Heathcote | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Cunningham | ||||||||||||||
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Austinmer is a small village located on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's part of the northern Illawarra region, just south of Stanwell Park and north of Thirroul. It's known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
The main beach here is Austinmer Beach. It's a popular spot for surfing and swimming. Lifeguards patrol this beach to keep everyone safe. North of the main beach is Little Austinmer Beach. People often call it 'dog beach' because it's a great place for dogs to run around off-leash.
The main road through Austinmer is Lawrence Hargrave Drive. This road connects to the Princes Highway at Bulli Pass. You'll find Austinmer railway station nearby. The station connects the village to Sydney and Wollongong by electric train. Along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, you'll also find shops, a police station, a school, churches, and a vet clinic.
The Headland Hotel, located near Austinmer Beach, was even featured on a TV show called headLand a few years ago!
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A Look Back: Austinmer's History
Austinmer has an interesting past. In the 1860s, this area was simply called "North Bulli." The name changed to Austinmere around 1887. This was when a coal mine, the North Illawarra Coal Company's mine, opened. The name "Austinmere" (which later dropped the 'e' to become Austinmer) came from the original mine owner, Austin, and "mer," which is French for "sea." So, it meant "Austin by the sea."
Some people thought the area was first called Sidmouth. This name was linked to Robert Marsh Westmacott, who owned land here. However, it seems a later owner, Biddulph Henning, named it Sidmouth in 1891. He named it after a place he had visited before coming back to Australia. Historians say the name "Sidmouth" wasn't used before Henning bought the land.
Austinmer was also home to the Hicks Point coal jetty. This jetty was used from 1886 until 1915. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire. Today, you can still see some iron pins and a mooring ring in the rocks. These are the only things left of the old jetty.
Who Lives Here? Austinmer's People
In 2021, about 2,725 people lived in Austinmer. Most people, about 81.2%, were born in Australia. The next biggest group, 5.8%, were born in England. Almost everyone, 93.7%, spoke only English at home. When it came to religion, 53.2% said they had no religion. About 18.6% were Catholic, and 13.2% were Anglican.
Relax and Explore: Glastonbury Gardens
Glastonbury Gardens is a lovely public park in Austinmer. It was created in 1965. This park is special because it used to be the site of a dam for the local coal mine. You can find it next to Lawrence Hargrave Drive. The park has beautiful Sabal palms, tall Norfolk Island Pines, and Canary Island Date Palms. The gardens were named after Reg Glastonbury. He was the City Engineer for Wollongong City Council from 1947 to 1962.
Learning in Austinmer: Schools
- Austinmer Public School
Places of Worship: Churches
- All Saints Anglican Church
Famous Faces: Notable People
Some well-known people have lived in Austinmer, including:
- Sydney de Kantzow: He helped start the airline Cathay Pacific.
- Frenchy: A popular comedian and YouTuber.
- Juilee Pryor: A talented street artist.
