Berkeley, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BerkeleyWollongong, New South Wales |
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 Berkeley
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 7,798 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2506 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | City of Wollongong | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Wollongong | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Whitlam | ||||||||||||||
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Berkeley is a suburb in Wollongong, New South Wales. It's located south of the city, right on the northern shore of Lake Illawarra. Berkeley is one of Wollongong's biggest suburbs, with many people calling it home. In 2021, about 7,798 people lived here.
Contents
About Berkeley
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, Berkeley was mostly farmland. It sat between the hills and Lake Illawarra. Over time, it became a place where many new homes were built. This helped provide housing for people in the Illawarra area. Some of these homes were built for public housing, which means they are managed by the government to help people find affordable places to live.
In the last 20 years, Berkeley has grown a lot. Many young families have moved here looking for new homes. Because Berkeley was a bit further from Wollongong and had lots of open space, it was a great choice for these families. Today, much of the old farmland has turned into housing areas, like the "Regency Heights" estates. Berkeley is now home to a diverse mix of people from all over Wollongong.
What's in Berkeley?
Shops and Community Spots
Berkeley has a small shopping area. Here you can find a supermarket, a petrol station, a pub, and a post office. There's also a community swimming pool and a medical centre. You'll find other small shops and services too. The Community Centre is a place where local residents can meet up.
Fun by the Lake
Near Lake Illawarra, there are big parklands. You can also find several jetties. These spots are perfect for enjoying the lake and having fun outdoors. The Berkeley Sports and Social Club is also located near the shopping area. It's owned and run by the Easts Group.
Sports and Recreation
Fred Finch Park is a popular spot for sports. It has baseball fields and courts for both indoor and outdoor basketball. It's a central place for sports activities in the area. Some of the older streets in Berkeley are named after the original farmers who owned the land here.
Famous Temple
The Nan Tien Temple is located in Berkeley. It is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern half of the world. It's a very impressive and peaceful place to visit.
Schools in Berkeley
Berkeley has two primary schools: Berkeley Public School and Berkeley West Public School. There used to be a third, Berkeley South Public School, but it closed in 2009. Its students then went to the other two schools. Berkeley is also home to a public high school, the Illawarra Sports High School. It was once called Berkeley High School. In 1998, it changed its name to focus on sports.
Getting Around
Buses are the main way to get around using public transport. Premier Illawarra is the bus company that provides these services. They work with the New South Wales Ministry of Transport. They help people travel across most of the Illawarra region.
Keeping Everyone Safe
The Lake Illawarra Local Area Command provides police services to Berkeley. The NSW Ambulance Service also helps the suburb from its station in Warrawong.
Well-Known People
Vincent Massey (1926–2002) was born in Berkeley. He was a biochemist and enzymologist, which means he studied how chemicals work in living things.
