Dapto, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DaptoWollongong, New South Wales |
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 Dapto
Location in New South Wales
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| Postcode(s) | 2530 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 17 m (56 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Wollongong | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Illawarra | ||||||||||||||
| County | Camden | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Calderwood | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Shellharbour | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Whitlam | ||||||||||||||
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Dapto is a suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the City of Wollongong and sits on the western side of Lake Illawarra. The suburb covers an area of about 7.15 square kilometers. In 2021, Dapto had a population of 10,954 people.
Contents
Dapto's History
How Dapto Got Its Name
The name Dapto comes from an Aboriginal word. Some say it's from Dabpeto, meaning "water plenty." Others believe it's from tap-toe, which described how a local Aboriginal elder walked.
Early Days and Growth
Dapto was officially started in 1834. This happened when George Brown moved his inn, the Ship Inn, from Wollongong to Mullet Creek Farm. This area is now called Brownsville in his honor.
After trying to grow wheat without much success in the 1850s, Dapto became known for its dairy farms. In 1887, a railway line opened, and a butter factory was built. This changed Dapto a lot, and the town center moved south to be closer to the new train station.
Industry and Importance
The Australian Smelting Company built a large factory on Kanahooka Road. It employed over 500 people. A special railway line connected this factory to the main government railway at Dapto. By 1903, Dapto's train station was considered the busiest on the Illawarra line. It had twice as much train traffic as Wollongong.
You can learn more about Dapto's past in books by Joseph Davis. These include John Brown of Brownsville (2012), Gooseberry and Hooka (2012), and Lake Illawarra: an ongoing history (2005).
Who Lives in Dapto?
Dapto's Population in 2021
The 2021 census showed that 10,954 people lived in Dapto.
- About 4.9% of the people were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
- Most people (81.0%) were born in Australia.
- Other common birthplaces included England (5.3%), New Zealand (1.0%), and Scotland (0.8%).
- Most people (89.6%) spoke only English at home.
- Other languages spoken included Macedonian (0.7%) and Spanish (0.6%).
- For religion, 40.6% said they had No Religion.
- 21.8% were Catholic, and 17.3% were Anglican.
What is Dapto Like?
Natural Areas and Parks
On Koonawarra Point, you'll find Mount Brown Reserve. This is a hill that is protected as a nature reserve because it's an important home for plants and animals. Part of it is owned by Tallawarra Power Station.
A small part of the Illawarra escarpment west of Dapto is also protected. This area is called the Illawarra Escarpment State Recreation Area. However, it is not open to the public.
Town Development
Dapto used to have a smelting industry, but that factory is now closed. Most of Dapto is made up of homes, with several areas for shops and businesses. The main shopping area includes Dapto Mall, which is on the Princes Highway.
The land west of Dapto, which used to be farmland, has grown a lot in the last 20 years. This area is now a fast-growing part of Wollongong. It's a spread-out suburban area called Horsley, which is now its own official suburb. The land to the west is also much hillier than the flat areas north of Wollongong.
Local Landmarks
Mount Bong Bong, west of Dapto, was the site of an aeroplane crash. This happened because controllers mistook Lake Illawarra for Botany Bay. A special plaque in Dapto remembers this event.
Getting Around Dapto
Train Services
The South Coast line electric train service used to end in Dapto. However, the electric line was extended to Kiama in 2001.
Fun Things to Do in Dapto
Sports and Activities
The Dapto Greyhound Racing Track is famous locally as the 'Dapto Greyhounds'. Greyhound races are held there every Thursday evening. The track is part of The Groundz Precinct, also known as The Groundz or Dapto Showground. South Coast Greyhounds started racing here in 1937. They are planning to move to a new location at 34 Bong Bong Road, Dapto, in 2025.
The Dapto Canaries are a local team that plays in the Illawarra Rugby League.
Important Places in Dapto
Dapto Mall
Dapto Mall is the fourth-largest shopping center in the Illawarra region. It has major stores like Big W, Woolworths, and Coles. There are also around 66 other shops.
Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
The Dapto Ribbonwood Centre is a community hub. It moved to its current location in 2001. It's named after a special tree planted in front of the building. The local library is on Level 1. The center also has several rooms that can be rented for different events, from small meetings to large social gatherings.
The Ribbonwood Centre is also home to CPSA Dapto Seniors. This is a non-profit community group and the largest senior citizen group in the Illawarra. They hold meetings and activities in Heininger House, which became part of the Ribbonwood Centre in 2001.
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The northern side of the Ribbonwood Centre
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Inside the library on Level 1
Learning in Dapto
Schools in Dapto
The first Dapto Public School opened in August 1875 in a church hall. A permanent school building opened in 1928 on Byamee and Moombara Streets. Due to the growth of the Horsley area, the school moved to Sierra Drive, Horsley, in 2004.
Dapto also has one high school, Dapto High School.
Churches in Dapto
Dapto Anglican Church
The Dapto Anglican Church center is next to Dapto Mall and the Dapto Greyhound Racing Club. They hold services at three other locations, including the St Aidens building, Dapto Primary School hall, and the historic St Lukes Brownsville building. They have six services each week, plus activities for children and youth.
Dapto Uniting Church
Dapto Uniting Church is in the middle of Dapto, near the Dapto Medical Centre on the Princes Highway. Services are held every Sunday morning at 9:30 am, mixing modern and traditional styles. They have programs for children (Sunday's Cool) and a youth program (G1Youth).
The church's history goes back to 1841 when services were first held in a Dapto schoolroom. The current red brick building, St Andrews, opened on February 7, 1959. New hall facilities were added in 1981. The Dapto Uniting Church helps the community through things like an Op Shop, Market Days, and Family Fun Days.
St John's Catholic Church
St John's Church is where the Catholic community in Dapto gathers for worship. It is located on Jeramatta Street.
Famous People from Dapto
Many notable people have connections to Dapto, including:
- Bill Beach, a rower
- Michael Cusack, an animator and co-creator of Smiling Friends
- Zac De Jesus, a soccer player
- Bobby Dimond, a rugby league player
- Peter Dimond, a rugby league player
- Brian Johnson, a rugby league player
- Steve Kilbey, a singer-songwriter
- Paul McGregor, a rugby league player
- Fred Moore, an activist
- Herbert Swan, a politician
- Shannon Wakeman, a rugby league player
- Ryan Park, a politician who is a Member for Keira and holds several ministerial roles.
See also
- Dapto Railway Station
- Scrapbooking Delights (an art and craft space)
