Balcatta, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Balcatta Perth, Western Australia
Southern entrance of Balcatta Senior High School
Postcode(s)	6021
Area	7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi)
Location	10 km (6 mi) NNW of Perth CBD
LGA(s)	City of Stirling
State electorate(s)	Balcatta
Federal Division(s)	Cowan
Suburbs around Balcatta: Carine Hamersley Balga Gwelup Balcatta Westminster and Nollamara Stirling Osborne Park and Tuart Hill Yokine

Balcatta is a busy suburb located in Perth, Western Australia. It is part of the City of Stirling local government area. Balcatta is known for its diverse community, with many families from different European backgrounds. It is also one of the largest suburbs in the northern part of the Perth area. You will find a mix of homes, shops, and businesses here.

Balcatta's History and Name

Balcatta's name comes from Aboriginal words. "Bal" means "his" and "katta" means "hill." Alexander Forrest first recorded this name in 1877. It referred to the northern part of Careniup Swamp.

How Balcatta Grew

Before the 1960s, Balcatta was mostly used for market gardens. These were farms where people grew fresh fruits and vegetables to sell. From the 1970s onwards, more homes and businesses started to appear.

Many families from Southern Europe moved to Balcatta. They liked that they could build their own homes here. These homes often had unique styles, sometimes with special statues or columns. Other European families had already settled nearby, working as market gardeners.

The area became very popular with Macedonian families. They even built the Macedonian Cultural Centre "Ilinden" on Grindleford Place. Balcatta was also a popular place for other people from the Balkans region.

Today, as some older families move or update their homes, Balcatta is becoming popular with families from Asian backgrounds. This has led to some parts of Balcatta being divided into smaller units or villas.

Interesting Places in Balcatta

Balcatta has several important streets and community spots.

Jones Street

Jones Street is the longest street in Balcatta. It winds through the area, and the local council has worked to make it safer. New roundabouts have been built to help slow down traffic. Jones Street also passes Takari Primary School. It ends near the Water Corporation Depot and the Stirling Recycling Plant.

Amelia Street

This street is quite hilly and runs from east to west through Balcatta. It also goes past one side of Balcatta Senior High School.

Balcatta Senior High School

Balcatta Senior High School (BSHS) is the only public high school in Balcatta. Many students at the school come from diverse cultural backgrounds. The school offers special programs in the arts, like dance and drama. BSHS opened in 1967. At that time, it was the northernmost high school in the Perth area.

Jones Paskin Reserve

This is a large oval, which is a big grassy area. In the summer, it is mainly used for cricket games. The local community also uses it for general activities. It is the home ground for the Balcatta Cricket Club.

Getting Around Balcatta

Balcatta has good public transport options, mainly through its bus network. Buses connect Balcatta to various train stations and other suburbs.

Bus Services

Many bus routes serve Balcatta, connecting it to places like Warwick Station, Stirling Station, and the Perth Busport in the city centre. Some routes also connect to Mirrabooka Bus Station and other nearby areas. Major roads like Erindale Road, Balcatta Road, and Wanneroo Road are served by these buses. The CircleRoute bus service also passes through Balcatta, offering connections around Perth.