Gymea, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gymea Sydney, New South Wales
Gymea Bay Road, Gymea
Population	7,589 (2016 census)
• Density	2,857/km2 (7,400/sq mi)
Established	1939
Postcode(s)	2227
Elevation	72 m (236 ft)
Area	2.3 km2 (0.9 sq mi)
Location	26 km (16 mi) south of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Sutherland Shire
State electorate(s)	Miranda Cronulla
Federal Division(s)	Cook Hughes
Suburbs around Gymea: Sutherland Kareela Sylvania Kirrawee Gymea Miranda Grays Point Gymea Bay Yowie Bay

Gymea shops awnings at Christmas

St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church, The Kingsway

Hazelhurst Gallery

Hazelhurst Gallery gates

Gymea is a suburb located in southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 26 kilometres south of the main city centre of Sydney. Gymea is part of the Sutherland Shire area. Its postcode is 2227, which it shares with the nearby suburb of Gymea Bay.

Discovering Gymea's Past

The name Gymea comes from a tall plant called the Gymea Lily. This plant can grow up to 6 metres high! The local Dharawal people, who are the traditional owners of the land, called this plant kai'mia. This word inspired the suburb's name in 1855. The Gymea Lily is now a special symbol for the area. You can see it on the logos of many local groups. While many lilies were removed as the area grew, you can still find some in the Royal National Park, a few kilometres south.

In the 1920s, steam trams ran through Gymea, connecting Cronulla and Sutherland. Later, in 1939, the railway station opened, making it easier for people to travel.

Who Lives in Gymea?

In 2016, about 7,589 people lived in Gymea. Most people (75.7%) were born in Australia. Other people came from countries like England, China, and New Zealand. Most homes (83.1%) spoke only English. Some also spoke Mandarin, Greek, or Cantonese. The main religions were Catholic, No Religion, and Anglican.

Shopping and Cafes

Gymea is mostly a quiet, residential suburb with homes. The main shopping area is called Gymea Shopping Village. It's located right near the railway station. In recent years, this area has become very popular. It has lots of cafes, restaurants, unique shops, and gourmet food stores along Gymea Bay Road. The Gymea Hotel, which opened in 1959, is also on Gymea Bay Road.

Getting Around Gymea

Gymea railway station is part of the Sydney Trains network. It's on the line that goes to Cronulla and connects to the city centre. The station is conveniently located in the middle of the main shopping area on Gymea Bay Road. The stations next to Gymea are Kirrawee and Miranda. There are also private buses, mainly run by U-Go Mobility, that help people get around locally and take students to school.

Learning in Gymea

Gymea has several schools for different ages.

• Gymea North Public School is a public primary school.
• St Catherine Labouré Primary is a Catholic primary school.
• Gymea Technology High School is a secondary school.
• The Sydney Montessori School teaches students from pre-primary all the way through secondary school.

Many children from Gymea also go to schools in nearby suburbs like Gymea Bay, including Gymea Bay Public School, which is the biggest primary school in the Sutherland Shire. Gymea is also home to a campus of the Sydney Institute of TAFE, which offers vocational training courses.

Local Churches

• St Paul's and St Barnabas Anglican Church
• St Catherine Labouré Catholic Church
• St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church

Culture and Fun

Art and Creativity

Gymea is home to the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre. This is a great place to explore art! It has art galleries, studios where artists work, a small theatre, beautiful gardens, and a cafe. They also hold many special events throughout the year.

Sports and Activities

Gymea is a very active suburb, especially when it comes to youth sports. There are well-known clubs for:

• Cricket
• Rugby league
• Swimming (the Gymea Bay Amateur Swimming Club)
• Football (Gymea United FC is one of the biggest football clubs in the Oceania region!)
• Netball

Events and Community

• The Gymea Village Fair is a big annual event held on the last Sunday in October. The streets are closed off for fun stalls, arts and crafts, rides, and live music. It's a great community day!

Local Plant Nursery

The Sutherland Shire Council has a Plant Nursery in Gymea. Here, volunteers grow local plants. These plants are used to help restore natural areas and for landscaping around the Shire.