kids encyclopedia robot

Cowandilla, South Australia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Cowandilla
AdelaideSouth Australia
Cowandilla is located in South Australia
Cowandilla
Cowandilla
Location in South Australia
Population 1,433 (2016 census)
Postcode(s) 5033
LGA(s) City of West Torrens
State electorate(s) West Torrens
Federal Division(s) Adelaide
Suburbs around Cowandilla:
Brooklyn Park Torrensville Mile End
Brooklyn Park Cowandilla Hilton
West Richmond Richmond Richmond

Cowandilla is a western suburb in Adelaide, South Australia, in the City of West Torrens. It is located a few kilometres west of the CBD, close to Adelaide Airport. Sir Donald Bradman Drive crosses the middle of the suburb.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data from May 2021 identified Adelaide's Western Suburbs as having the lowest unemployment rate in South Australia.


Cowandilla street
Street corner in Cowandilla today

Its name is derived from the Kaurna name Kawandilla (Kawantilla), meaning "in the north". Kauwanta is the Kaurna word for north, and the suffix -illa means "in". However it does not reflect a place known by the Kaurna as Kawandilla (whose location is somewhat vague and possibly non-existent); when the village was established in the present location of the suburb in 1840, the developers gave it this name because they thought it meant something to do with "water" (the word kauwi) (hence also "Kauwantilla"). The whole of Greater Adelaide lies on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people.

Cowandilla is home to the renowned Western Youth Centre (established in 1956) which provides a well maintained Oval, Tennis Courts and large clubhouse to a number of sporting teams and societies. Sports such as cricket, soccer, tennis, judo, gymnastics, marching and table tennis are all played at the venue. The centre is home to the well supported Western Youth Centre Cricket Club, which was established in 1961 and fields teams in both senior and junior grades. The Oval also has adjoining, well maintained cricket practice nets that are available for public use every day.

Cricket in Cowandilla is fitting as it is where cricket under lights was birthed in 1930 by returned serviceman and tram dispatcher Alf Stone at his Cowandilla home during the depression. Up to 50 youths were attending his property every night to play under light globes.

The Western Youth Centre Tennis Club also uses the well maintained tennis courts alongside the Oval.

The Western Districts Angling Club (established in 1938) also resides at the Western Youth Centre.

The Cactus and Succulent Society of South Australia (established in 1964) is based at the Western Youth Centre, where it holds all its meetings and gatherings. Sophie Thomson, a presenter on the national weekly television show Gardening Australia, is the society's patron.

The Adelaide Red Blue Eagles Football Club, play in the South Australian Amateur Soccer League and call the Western Youth Centre home.

Unley United Football Club at home in Cowandilla
A Soccer game being played at the Western Youth Centre in 2021

Cowandilla is also home of the Cowandilla Primary School and the Orthodox Coptic Church in South Australia.

Cowandilla is home to the Calvary Flora McDonald Retirement Community. A modern facility that caters for residents from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Two new wings were opened in June 2017.

The intersection of Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive (Western end of Cowandilla) has been awarded 45 million dollars by the Federal and State Governments for upgrades in 2022

From the 3rd Quarter in 2020 to the 3rd Quarter in 2021 South Australian median house price increased by 9.66% and the Adelaide Metropolitan area rose by 13.82%  while the Valuer- General identified that Cowandilla rose by a remarkable 38.77% comparatively, making it a sought after location to live.

kids search engine
Cowandilla, South Australia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.