Bundeena, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bundeena Sydney, New South Wales
Town centre, November 2009
Bundeena Location in Sydney
Population	2,103 (2021 census)
• Density	1,107/km2 (2,870/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2230
Elevation	16 m (52 ft)
Area	1.9 km2 (0.7 sq mi)
Location	29 km (18 mi) south of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Sutherland Shire
State electorate(s)	Heathcote
Federal Division(s)	Hughes
Suburbs around Bundeena: Burraneer Cronulla Maianbar Bundeena Tasman Sea Royal National Park

Bundeena is a small village and suburb. It is located on the edge of southern Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. Bundeena is about 29 kilometers south of the Sydney central business district. It is part of the Sutherland Shire local government area.

This village is right next to Maianbar. It sits on the southern side of Port Hacking. Across the water, you can see the suburbs of Cronulla and Burraneer. The amazing Royal National Park surrounds Bundeena.

Bundeena has several beautiful beaches. These include Jibbon Beach, Gunyah Beach, Horderns Beach, and Bonnie Vale Beach. Cabbage Tree Creek and 'The Basin' separate Bundeena from Maianbar. A walking track and a footbridge connect the two villages. Bonnie Vale is also a popular camping spot inside the Royal National Park.

Getting Around Bundeena

Passenger ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena

You can reach Bundeena in a few ways. One fun way is by passenger ferry from Cronulla. You can also drive through the Royal National Park. This road connects Bundeena to places like Sutherland or Waterfall.

Cronulla and National Park Ferry Cruises offers regular ferry trips. These ferries travel between Cronulla and Bundeena. The ferry wharf in Cronulla is on Gunnamatta Bay. It is close to Cronulla railway station. A ferry trip usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. This depends on the weather. Many people from Bundeena drive to Sutherland railway station. It's a 25-minute drive. This can be quicker than taking the ferry and then a train.

The Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service runs local bus route 989. This bus goes between Bundeena and Maianbar. It operates only on school days. There are also special bus trips. One trip goes to Engadine every Wednesday. Another trip goes to Miranda every Friday. Both of these trips go through Maianbar.

Bundeena's Environment

Long ago, Indonesian rusa deer were brought to this area. Now, there is a large population of them. Some people who live here see the deer as a problem. However, these deer are a protected species. The National Parks & Wildlife Service can only remove a small number each year. Many residents also enjoy seeing the deer. This creates different opinions among the people living in the area.

Bundeena's Past

View of Yenabilli, Maianbar, and Bundeena from above

The name Bundeena comes from an Aboriginal word. It means "noise like thunder." This likely refers to the sound of waves hitting Horderns Beach. You can find ancient Aboriginal rock carvings at Jibbon Head. These were made by the Dharawal people.

In 1796, explorers Bass and Flinders explored the area. They decided it was not a good place for a settlement. In 1815, some people were using caves along the foreshore for storage.

Bundeena's first official European settler was Owen Byrne. He was given land here in 1832. George Simpson received land at Bonnie Vale in 1863. George's son, William, opened Simpson's Hotel in the 1870s. This was in the area now called Simpsons Bay. The old sandstone Simpson's House, built in the 1870s, is still standing. It is now part of the Bonnie Vale Campground.

A wharf was built in 1890. In 1908, W.A. Hodgkinson started a boat service from Gunnamatta Bay. Captain R.R. Ryall began the Cronulla to Bundeena ferry service in 1915. The wharf was rebuilt in 1920. The first store in the area opened in the early 1930s. Bundeena Public School welcomed its first students on September 14, 1948.

Learning in Bundeena

Bundeena Public School started in September 1948. Classes were first held in the RSL hall. Bundeena Library is located at Bundeena Public School. It is open on Mondays and Wednesdays after school. It is also open on Saturday mornings.

Sports in Bundeena

Bundeena is home to the Bundeena-Mainbar FC soccer club. They play their games at Bundeena Oval. Bundeena Oval also hosts Bundeena Little Athletics events.

Who Lives in Bundeena?

The 2021 census showed there were 2,103 people living in Bundeena. Most people, about 73.5%, were born in Australia. The next largest group, 6.7%, were born in England. About 88.6% of people spoke only English at home. When asked about religion, 48.3% said they had no religion. 18.8% were Catholic, and 13.0% were Anglican.

Images for kids

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  Horderns Beach, Bundeena

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  Horderns Beach, Bundeena. As viewed from Bundeena ferry wharf.