Kirribilli, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kirribilli Sydney, New South Wales
Kirribilli Wharf
Population	3,820 (2016 census)
• Density	7,600/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2061
Area	0.5 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) north of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	North Sydney Council
State electorate(s)	North Shore
Federal Division(s)	North Sydney
Suburbs around Kirribilli: Milsons Point North Sydney Neutral Bay Milsons Point Kirribilli The Rocks Sydney CBD

Kirribilli House, one of the Prime Minister's official homes.

Kirribilli is a beautiful suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's known as one of Sydney's oldest and most well-off neighborhoods. Kirribilli is located just three kilometers north of Sydney's main city area.

This harborside suburb sits on the Lower North Shore of Sydney Harbour. It is managed by the North Sydney Council. Kirribilli is also home to Kirribilli House, which is one of the two official homes for the Prime Minister of Australia.

History of Kirribilli

Sydney city center seen from Kirribilli in 1937. The Harbour Bridge connected the two areas.

The name Kirribilli comes from an Aboriginal word. Kiarabilli means 'good fishing spot'. Another idea is that it comes from 'Carabella'. This was the name James Milson gave to his first house. Milson Point is named after him.

The area started around Jeffrey Street. It was mostly covered in native bushland. Over time, the land was cleared and divided. First, large family homes were built in the 1840s. Then, Victorian terrace houses appeared from the 1860s. Later, in the 20th century, many flats were built.

Early landowners included the Campbell, Jeffrey, and Gibbes families. Colonel John George Nathaniel Gibbes (1787–1873) built 'Wotonga' in 1842–43. This building is now known as Admiralty House.

From 1890 to 1921, a large wool warehouse was in Kirribilli. It also had a meat cold store and a wharf. This seven-story building was destroyed by fire in 1921. The land was then sold and later used for apartment buildings.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932. This bridge connected North Sydney directly to the city center. This made it much easier for Kirribilli to grow and develop.

Kirribilli's Population

In the 2016 Census, Kirribilli had 3,820 people living there. About 52% of these people were born in Australia. The next most common birthplaces were England (7.9%) and New Zealand (3.5%).

Most people (72%) spoke only English at home. When asked about religion, 37.4% said they had no religion. Another 21.4% were Catholic. Kirribilli is a very busy area with many people living close together.

Famous Landmarks

Admiralty House, the official Sydney home of the Governor-General.

Kirribilli is one of Australia's oldest suburbs. The first land was given out by the government in the 1790s. Some old Georgian and Gothic-style houses were built in the 1830s to 1850s. Most of these have been taken down.

Over time, the large old estates were divided into smaller blocks. New streets were made, and different types of homes were built. These included terrace houses, Victorian villas, and later, apartment blocks.

Kirribilli is home to several important buildings:

• Kirribilli House: This is the official Sydney home for the Prime Minister of Australia.
• Admiralty House: This is the official Sydney home for the Governor-General of Australia.
• Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron: This club has its headquarters and marina here.
• Sydney Flying Squadron: This club is next to Milson Park.

Admiralty House is Kirribilli's oldest building. Parts of it were built in 1842. Kirribilli House was built next door in 1854–55 by a rich merchant named Adolphus Frederick Feez.

Several buildings in Kirribilli are on the Register of the National Estate. This means they are important for their history and heritage. These include:

• St Aloysius' College, Upper Pitt Street
• St Aloysius' College's junior school (which used to be Kirribilli Public School), Burton Street
• Loreto Convent (formerly Elamang), Carabella Street
• Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, Fitzroy Street
• Sunnyside (a house and its grounds), Holbrook Avenue
• Kirribilli House, Kirribilli Avenue
• Admiralty House and Lodge, Kirribilli Point

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  Karlsruhe, Fitzroy Street

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  Craiglea House, Upper Pitt Street

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  Burnleigh, Carabella Street

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  Sunnyside, Holbrook Avenue

Getting Around Kirribilli (Transport)

Kirribilli, with its many homes and harbor views.

Yacht racing near Kirribilli Point around 1900.

Kirribilli is at the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Warringah Freeway connects it to the Sydney city center and to Chatswood in the north. You can get to Kirribilli by train, bus, and ferry.

Milsons Point railway station is the closest train station. It's on the North Shore railway line. Trains run often to the Sydney city center and other North Shore areas.

Busways run regular bus services from Kirribilli to many parts of northern Sydney. There's even a special bus service (269) that loops around Kirribilli, Milsons Point, McMahons Point, and North Sydney on weekdays.

There are also four ferry wharves near Kirribilli:

• Kirribilli wharf: This wharf is part of the Sydney Ferries Neutral Bay service. It's just one stop from Circular Quay. Ferries run twice an hour in each direction. There's a small cafe at the wharf.
• Beulah Street Wharf: This wharf is at the very southern tip of Kirribilli. It's not used by public ferries anymore, but it's a great spot for fishing and relaxing. It offers amazing views of the Sydney Opera House.
• Jeffreys Street Wharf: This wharf is also no longer used by Sydney Ferries. It's popular for fishing and offers fantastic views of the Opera House, Circular Quay, and the Harbour Bridge. Many people take wedding photos here.
• Milsons Point ferry wharf: This wharf is on the western side of the Harbour Bridge. It has many more ferry services than the Kirribilli wharves. You can take ferries from here to the city center and along the Parramatta River.

Shopping and Markets

A small shopping street in Kirribilli.

Kirribilli has a small shopping area right across from Milsons Point railway station.

The 'Kirribilli Markets' are very popular. They happen on the fourth Saturday of every month. You can find them on the lawns of the old Kirribilli Bowling Club. The markets sell all sorts of things, like new and used clothes, unique items, jewelry, and delicious food and drinks.

Schools in Kirribilli

The two main schools in Kirribilli are St Aloysius' College and Loreto Kirribilli.

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  St John the Baptist's Anglican Church, Broughton Street

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  Senior School, St Aloysius College, Upper Pitt Street

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  Loreto Kirribilli

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  Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, Fitzroy Street

Churches

• Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, part of North Sydney Parish
• St John's Anglican Church ("Church by the Bridge")

Culture

Kirribilli is home to Australia's oldest professional theatre company, The Ensemble Theatre. It's located in an old boatshed. They put on plays by both Australian and international writers.