Balgowlah, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BalgowlahSydney, New South Wales |
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North Harbour, Balgowlah
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| Population | 7,961 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1832 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2093 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 43 m (141 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 12 km (7 mi) north-east of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Northern Beaches Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Manly | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Warringah | ||||||||||||||
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Balgowlah is a lovely suburb located in northern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 12 kilometres north-east of the city centre. The name Balgowlah comes from an Aboriginal word that means "North Harbour," which makes sense because of its location near the water. Long ago, the Aboriginal people called this area Jilling. Balgowlah is part of the Northern Beaches Council area and shares its postcode 2093 with nearby places like Manly Vale and Balgowlah Heights.
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A Look Back: Balgowlah's History
Balgowlah got its name in 1832. It comes from an Aboriginal word meaning north harbour, because of its location near Port Jackson. When Europeans first settled here, it was sometimes called Little Manly.
Did you know that Sir Edmund Barton, who was Australia's very first prime minister, used to live in Balgowlah? His home was a building called Whitehall on White Street. Today, Whitehall is home to the Norwegian Seamen's Church.
Important Places: Heritage Sites
Balgowlah has some special places that are protected because of their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One example is the Balgowlah Substation at 83 Griffiths Street.
Who Lives Here? Balgowlah's People
According to the 2016 census, there were 7,961 people living in Balgowlah. Most residents, about 63.3%, were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces included England (9.5%), New Zealand (3.0%), and South Africa (1.8%).
Most people (81.4%) in Balgowlah speak only English at home. When it comes to religion, many residents said they had no religion (37.4%). Others identified as Catholic (23.7%) or Anglican (17.1%).
Shopping and More: Commercial Area
Balgowlah has a busy main shopping area along Condamine Street and Sydney Road. You'll find big stores like Harvey Norman and Bunnings Warehouse here.
The main shopping centre is called Stockland Balgowlah, located on Condamine Street. It opened in 2009 and has a Coles supermarket, a Fitness First gym, and many other shops.
Stockland Balgowlah was built on the site of an older shopping centre called the Totem Centre, which opened way back in 1959. The Totem Centre was quite famous in its day, with 33 shops, a bowling alley, and a huge Woolworths store. Even though the Totem Centre was knocked down in 2007, many locals still call the new centre "the Totem."
There are also a few smaller shopping spots in Balgowlah. These are often old "corner shops" that have been around for a long time.
Getting Around: Transport
Getting around Balgowlah is easy! The Northern Beaches Council runs a free bus service called Hop-Skip-Jump. Many public buses also travel through Balgowlah. These buses can take you to places like Manly, Westfield Warringah Mall, Seaforth, and even the city centre.
Learning Places: Schools in Balgowlah
Balgowlah and its nearby areas have several schools for students:
- St. Cecilias Primary School
- Balgowlah Heights Public School
- Manly West Public School
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus
Fun Outdoors: Parks and Reserves
If you love spending time outdoors, Balgowlah has some great spots! The North Harbour Reserve on Condamine Street is a popular place for picnics and gatherings. It's also part of a beautiful walking path that goes from Manly through Fairlight, Balgowlah, Balgowlah Heights, and Clontarf all the way to The Spit, near the Spit Bridge. It's a fantastic way to see the scenic coastline!
Famous Faces: Notable People
Some well-known people have connections to Balgowlah:
- Wayne Jarratt – an actor who has performed on stage and television.
- Emma Jeffcoat – an Australian triathlete, who is a top athlete in her sport.
- Callan Mulvey – an actor known for his roles in television and films.
- Jack Vidgen – a talented singer.
