Double Bay, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Double Bay Sydney, New South Wales
Double Bay ferry wharf
Population	4,642 (2016 census)
• Density	5,880/km2 (15,200/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2028
Area	0.79 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Location	4 km (2 mi) E of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Woollahra Council
State electorate(s)	Vaucluse
Federal Division(s)	Wentworth
Suburbs around Double Bay: Port Jackson Darling Point Double Bay Point Piper Edgecliff Woollahra Bellevue Hill

Double Bay is a harbourside eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 4 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district. It is the administrative centre of the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra.

Double Bay takes its name from the bay of Sydney Harbour and refers to the two geographical formations between Point Piper and Darling Point, which are interrupted by a miniature point in between. The eastern part is also known as Blackburn Cove. It has some of the most expensive real-estate in Australia and is colloquially often referred to as "Double Pay", a term coined due to the high income of people living there, and the nature of the shopping area which features high-end fashion labels.

History

Double Bay developed soon after initial European Settlement in 1788. In the early years of the colony, Double Bay was used as shelter for fishermen who would regularly fish around the harbour. Farming mostly cattle and lettuce a farm had developed and by 1814 it had increased to envelop the valleys leading into the area currently known as Woollahra, Bondi Junction, Bellevue Hill, and Point Piper.

Charles Amos Messenger was the sculling champion of Victoria (ca. 1875), in 1881 Rowing Champion of New Zealand, and in 1887 contender for the sculling championship of the world. Charles Amos also established the first boatshed on Sydney Harbour at Balmain, from where it was later transferred (by flotation) to Double Bay NSW. The early life of Double Bay, revolved around the Messenger boatshed.

Charles Amos was the father of the renowned Dally Messenger, Rugby League and Rugby Union superstar, and his younger brother Wally Messenger, who also played Rugby League for Australia. From their boatshed the Messenger brothers would row people across Sydney Harbour, including William Bede Dalley, who inter alia was acting premier of NSW in 1885, and who owned a castle in Manly, the base remains of which are still visible.

Population

According to the 2011 census, there were 4,687 residents in Double Bay. The most common ancestries in Double Bay were English 23.6%, Australian 17.8% and Irish 8.9%. The most common occupations of residents included Professionals 42.5%, Managers 20.4%, and Clerical and Administrative Workers 12.5%.

Transport

Double Bay features a ferry wharf for Double Bay ferry services with regular services to Circular Quay and Darling Point. Bus services operate via New South Head Road to Bondi Junction, Watsons Bay and the City. The closest train station is Edgecliff Station on New South Head Road.

Sport and recreation

Double Bay's former residents include Dally Messenger, one of the most famous Rugby league players of all time who was born, raised, and lived most of his life in Double Bay. He attended Double Bay primary school and became a local celebrity in the first half of the 20th century. Another former resident is [Lisa-Jean Brough] who shares the joy of sailing and racing 18' foot skiffs. Starting here at the 18' Foot Sailing Club launched L-J into a career of sailing Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races. Her oldest daughter attended Double Bay Public school.

Gallery

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  Knox Street

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  Municipality of Woollahra council chambers

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  Coopers Corner

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  Golden Sheaf Hotel

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  Heritage-listed Gladswood House (1856)

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  Steyne Park war memorial

Notable residents

• John Christian Watson (1867–1941), first Australian Labor Prime Minister and third Prime Minister of Australia
• Clements Frederick Vivian Jackson (1873-1955), an Australian mining engineer
• Emma Linda Palmer Littlejohn (1883–1949), feminist, journalist and radio commentator
• Sandy Pearce (1883–1930), rugby league footballer and boxer, after whom Pearce Street is named.
• Charlene Todman (1931–?), early Australian disability sportsperson
• Mary Fairfax (1922–2017), at her estate "Fairwater" philanthropist and businesswomen

Images for kids

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  Dally Messenger 1908 Civic Reception Scroll. It contains the words "When we review the names of the Athletic Champions produced by New South Wales in the cricket, rowing, swimming and boxing world we feel that no name has added more glory to the fame of our country than your own".