Kotara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kotara Newcastle, New South Wales
Kotara railway station
Kotara Location in the Hunter-Central Coast Region
Population	3,929 (2016 census)
• Density	1,640/km2 (4,200/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2289
Area	2.4 km2 (0.9 sq mi)
Location	9 km (6 mi) WSW of Newcastle 4 km (2 mi) N of Charlestown
LGA(s)	City of Newcastle City of Lake Macquarie
Parish	Newcastle
State electorate(s)	Charlestown
Federal Division(s)	Shortland Newcastle
Suburbs around Kotara: New Lambton Heights New Lambton New Lambton Garden Suburb Kotara Adamstown Garden Suburb Kotara South Adamstown Heights

Kotara is a suburb in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Newcastle's city center. This area is special because it is split between two local government areas: the City of Newcastle and the City of Lake Macquarie. Kotara is known for its many shops and is a great place for families.

A Look Back at Kotara's History

The Aboriginal people, specifically the Awabakal people, were the first to live in this area. They have a long and rich history here.

In the late 1800s, a company called Australasia Coal Company had a mine near Kotara. They even built a private railway line to move the coal. The railway was finished in 1877. However, the mine did not produce much coal, and the company closed down in 1879.

Kotara was originally planned to be a 'garden suburb'. This meant it was designed to be a high-quality area with lots of green spaces. After 1947, many people moved to Kotara, and its population quickly grew.

Who Lives in Kotara?

In 2016, a survey counted 3,929 people living in Kotara. Most of the people (87.4%) were born in Australia. Also, 90.9% of homes spoke only English. When asked about religion, many people said they had no religion (33.2%). Other common religions included Catholic (23.7%), Anglican (18.0%), and Uniting Church (5.8%).

Shopping and Fun in Kotara

Kotara is a very important shopping area for Newcastle. It has many stores where people can find almost anything they need.

Westfield Kotara is a very large shopping center located on Northcott Drive. It used to be known as Garden City and Kotara Fair. Right across the road from Westfield, you will find the Kotara Home Centre. This center has big stores that sell furniture, electronics, and other items for your home. It also has places to eat.

Schools in Kotara

Kotara has two schools for younger students. Kotara South Public School is located on Rodway Parade. The local Catholic school is St James Primary School, which you can find on Vista Parade.