Double Bay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Double Bay Sydney, New South Wales
Double Bay ferry wharf
Postcode(s)	2028
Elevation	10 m (33 ft)
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 beautiful harbourside suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's located about 4 kilometres east of the main city centre. This area is known for its stunning views of Sydney Harbour.

The name "Double Bay" comes from the two small bays that make up this part of the harbour. These two bays are separated by a tiny point of land. One part is also called Blackburn Cove. Double Bay is famous for having some of the most expensive homes and shops in Australia. People sometimes jokingly call it "Double Pay" because of the high incomes of the people who live there and the fancy shops.

Discovering Double Bay's Past

Charles Amos Messenger – a champion rower and boat builder in Double Bay

Double Bay started to grow not long after the first European settlers arrived in 1788. In the early days, fishermen used Double Bay as a safe place to stop. They would fish in the harbour.

Later, a farm started to grow cattle and lettuce. By 1814, this farm had become very large. It covered the valleys leading to nearby areas like Woollahra and Bellevue Hill.

The Messenger Family and Boatsheds

A very important person in Double Bay's history was Charles Amos Messenger. He was a champion rower! He won the sculling championship of Victoria in 1878. He also became the Rowing Champion of New Zealand in 1881.

Charles Amos started the very first boatshed on Sydney Harbour. It was first in Balmain, but then it was moved to Double Bay. Life in early Double Bay often revolved around the Messenger boatshed.

Charles Amos had two famous sons, Dally Messenger and Wally Messenger. Both of them played Rugby League for Australia. From their boatshed, the Messenger brothers would row people across Sydney Harbour. One of their passengers was William Bede Dalley, who was acting premier of New South Wales in 1885.

Dally Messenger's 1908 Civic Reception Scroll. It praises him as a great Australian champion.

Who Lives in Double Bay?

Double Bay is home to many different people. According to the 2021 census, there were about 4,709 residents. Most people (about 60%) were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include England, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Most people in Double Bay speak English at home. However, you can also hear languages like Mandarin, Spanish, and French. Many different backgrounds make up the community, including English, Australian, and Irish.

People in Double Bay generally earn more money than the national average. This helps explain why it's known for its expensive shops and homes. Most homes in Double Bay are apartments, but there are also some houses.

Shopping and Fun in Double Bay

The main shopping area in Double Bay is along New South Head Road. It also spreads out onto nearby streets like Knox Street and Cross Street. Here, you'll find many hotels, shops, and restaurants. There are also supermarkets, offices, and coffee shops. It's a great place to explore and find unique things.

Getting Around Double Bay

Double Bay has good ways to get around. There's a ferry wharf where you can catch a ferry. Ferries regularly travel to Circular Quay in the city centre and to Darling Point.

Buses also run along New South Head Road. You can catch a bus to Bondi Junction, Watsons Bay, or the city. The closest train station is Edgecliff, which is also on New South Head Road.

Sports and Famous Faces

Double Bay has a strong connection to sports history. Dally Messenger, one of the most famous Rugby league players ever, grew up and lived most of his life in Double Bay. He went to Double Bay primary school and became a local hero in the early 1900s.

Gallery

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  Knox Street

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  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

Famous People from Double Bay

Many interesting people have lived in Double Bay, including:

• John Christian Watson (1867–1941): He was the third Prime Minister of Australia and the first from the Australian Labor Party.
• Emma Linda Palmer Littlejohn (1883–1949): A journalist and radio commentator who supported women's rights.
• Sandy Pearce (1883–1930): A famous rugby league player and boxer. A street in Double Bay is named after him!
• Mary Fairfax (1922–2017): A generous person and businesswoman who lived at her large estate called "Fairwater."