Blakehurst, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blakehurst Sydney, New South Wales
Blakehurst marina
Population	6,219 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	2221
Elevation	20 m (66 ft)
Location	18 km (11 mi) south of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Georges River Council
State electorate(s)	Oatley Kogarah
Federal Division(s)	Banks Cook
Suburbs around Blakehurst: South Hurstville Carlton Kogarah Bay Connells Point Blakehurst Carss Park Kyle Bay Sylvania Sans Souci

Blakehurst is a lovely suburb located in southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 18 kilometres south of the main city centre, known as the Sydney CBD. This area is part of the Georges River Council and the wider St George region.

Blakehurst is connected to Sylvania in the Sutherland Shire by the Tom Uglys Bridge. This bridge crosses the beautiful Georges River. The very southern tip of Blakehurst is called Tom Uglys Point. The suburb also borders Kogarah Bay to the east and Kyle Bay to the west.

History of Blakehurst

Blakehurst got its name from William Blake. He was a road assessor and postmaster back in 1863. William Blake had a small farm in this area. The land was originally given to Robert Townson in 1808.

The Story of Tom Uglys Point

A special boat service, called a punt, started at Tom Uglys Point in 1864. People used it to cross the river. There are a few stories about how this point got its unique name. Some thought it was a mispronunciation of local names like Tom Huxley.

However, it is now believed the name came from an Aboriginal man. His name was 'Towwaa' or 'Toweiry', and he lived at the point. His nickname was Tom Ugly.

The famous Tom Uglys Bridge was first opened in 1929. It was originally called the Georges River Bridge. A second bridge was built next to it and opened in 1987, making travel easier.

Historic Places in Blakehurst

Blakehurst has some interesting heritage-listed sites. These are places that are important to history and are protected.

• 9 Stuart Crescent: This is where you can find Thurlow House.

Shopping and Services

The Princes Highway intersection with King Georges Road

Bald Face Public School

You'll find a small shopping area along the Princes Highway. It's close to where it meets King Georges Road. More shops and businesses are located further north along these two main roads.

Tom Uglys Point is a great spot for food and fun. It has small parks, places to fish, a marina for boats, and seafood restaurants. You can also grab some tasty take-away seafood.

Getting Around Blakehurst

Getting to the Sydney CBD from Blakehurst takes about 50 minutes by public transport. If you drive, it's usually around 40 minutes. The closest train station is in Hurstville, which is a nearby suburb. A bus service also runs between Hurstville and Miranda, passing through Blakehurst and Sylvania.

Schools in Blakehurst

Blakehurst has several schools for students.

• Mater Dei Primary School is a Catholic primary school.
• Blakehurst High School is a public high school.
• Blakehurst Public School and Bald Face Public School are public primary schools.

Sports and Fun Activities

Blakehurst is home to many sports teams. One popular team is The Blakehurst Blues, a rugby union team. Some famous players, like Phil Kearns, have come from this area.

If you love the water, the Kogarah Bay Sailing Club and marina is located on Princes Highway. It's a great place for sailing and enjoying the bay.

Who Lives in Blakehurst?

A view from Shipwrights Bay

According to the 2016 census, about 6,219 people live in Blakehurst. Most people, about 64.4%, were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include China (8.2%), Greece (2.5%), and Hong Kong (2.2%).

Many different languages are spoken at home. About 51.6% of people speak only English. Other languages include Greek (12.4%), Mandarin (7.7%), and Cantonese (7.7%). People in Blakehurst follow various religions, with Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican being common. Many also reported having no religion.