Narrabeen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NarrabeenSydney, New South Wales |
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Narrabeen, looking south east to Long Reef
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| Population | 8,207 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2101 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 23 km (14 mi) north of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Northern Beaches Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Pittwater, Wakehurst | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Mackellar | ||||||||||||||
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Narrabeen is a cool beachside suburb in northern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 23 kilometers northeast of Sydney's main city area. This area is part of the Northern Beaches region and is looked after by the Northern Beaches Council.
Contents
History of Narrabeen
What's in a Name?
The name "Narrabeen" has a few interesting stories behind it. One idea is that it came from "narrow beans" that early English settlers found. However, this story might not be true for Narrabeen itself.
A more popular idea is that the name comes from an Aboriginal word. Some believe it means "swan." Others, like the Budawa Aboriginal Signage Group, say it means "source of fresh water."
The most well-known story involves Captain Henry Reynolds and his family. They lived near Narrabeen Lagoon. Sadly, they were attacked by escaped convicts. The area was then named after a young Aboriginal girl, Narrabine (or Narrabeen). She tried to help the victims and later helped soldiers catch the attackers.
Early Days and Growth
The first land grants in Narrabeen were given out in the early 1800s. People like John Lees, Philip Schaffer, and James Wheeler received land. Later, Alex Macdonald and JT Collins also got land.
For a long time, people had to cross Narrabeen Lagoon by walking or riding through the water. This changed in 1880 when the first bridge was built. Another bridge was added in 1925 at Ocean Street.
The Narrabeen Post Office opened in 1898. As more people moved to the area, other post offices opened too, like Narrabeen North.
Making Connections
In 1913, a tram line was extended to Narrabeen. This made it much easier for people to visit. The area around the lake became a popular spot for holidays and camping. A big camping ground was set up on the north side of the lagoon.
Later, in 1946, the Wakehurst Parkway opened. This road connected Narrabeen to other areas like Frenchs Forest and Seaforth, making travel even easier.
The Narrabeen Man
In 2005, something amazing was discovered. Workmen found a human skeleton while digging near Ocean Street. Scientists later found out that these were the remains of a man who lived about 4,000 years ago! He is now known as the Narrabeen Man.
Who Lives in Narrabeen?
In 2016, there were 8,207 people living in Narrabeen. Most people (about 70%) were born in Australia. Other people came from countries like England (7%), New Zealand (2.3%), and Brazil (1.8%).
Most people in Narrabeen (about 82.6%) speak only English at home. Some other languages spoken include Portuguese. When it comes to religion, many people said they had no religion (31.4%). Others were Catholic (23.7%) or Anglican (20.1%).
Narrabeen's Beaches
Narrabeen is famous for its beautiful beaches! There are four main parts to the beach stretch: North Narrabeen, Narrabeen, South Narrabeen, and Collaroy beach. Even though Collaroy is a separate suburb, its beach is part of this long sandy stretch.
Each of these beaches has its own Surf Life Saving Club. These clubs help keep swimmers safe. Narrabeen beach is known around the world for surfing. It was even mentioned in the famous Beach Boys song "Surfin' U.S.A."! The Beach Boys even performed in North Narrabeen in 1992.
Sometimes, big storms can cause damage and erosion to the beach. Special types of grass, like Themeda Grassland, grow on the grassy parts of the beaches. These plants are very important and need to be protected.
Narrabeen Lagoon and Its Surroundings
Narrabeen Lagoon is a large body of water, covering about 2.2 square kilometers. It gets its water from several creeks, including Deep Creek, Middle Creek, Mullet Creek, Narrabeen Creek, and Nareen Creek.
The land around the lagoon is a mix of bushland, parks, sports fields, and residential areas. A big part of the bushland is within the Garigal National Park. Even with all the buildings, there are many different types of plants and trees growing here. Some of these plant communities are quite rare and important.
There's a great path called the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail. It's about 8.6 kilometers long and goes all the way around the lagoon. It's a perfect spot for walking, running, or cycling.
Sport and Fun
Narrabeen is a great place for sports! The Sydney Institute of Sport is located here. It's also the headquarters for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league club. North Narrabeen beach is often used for surfing competitions because of its excellent waves.
Schools in Narrabeen
Narrabeen has several schools for kids. There are two public primary schools: Narrabeen Lakes and North Narrabeen. There's also St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School. For older students, there's the public Narrabeen Sports High School.
Jim Somerville Bridge
You'll find the Jim Somerville Bridge on the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail. This bridge is named after James Graham Somerville. He was an environmentalist who cared a lot about nature and protecting the environment.
Famous People from Narrabeen
Many interesting people have lived in Narrabeen, including:
- Tessa de Josselin, an actress
- Jackson Heywood, an actor
- Nathan Hedge, a surfer
- Holly Lincoln-Smith, a water polo player
- Elisabeth MacIntyre, a writer
- Ian Palangio, a curler
- Alan Thompson, a rugby league player
- Harry Van der Saag, a footballer
- Max Whitehead, a rugby league player
