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 beachside suburb in northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Narrabeen is 23 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Northern Beaches Council and is part of the Northern Beaches region. This area was named Broken Bay by James Cook as he sailed by.
History
There are a number of theories on the origins of the name "Narrabeen". One is that it derived from the Aboriginal word Narrabine meaning swan. Another involves Captain Henry Reynolds, a first fleeter who settled in the area with his family. They were killed during an attack by bushrangers and his homestead burned. The popular belief is that the location was then named after a young Aboriginal girl Narrabine, who lived near the lake, and who helped soldiers capture the escaped convicts involved in the massacre.
The first land grants were made to John Lees (40 acres (16 ha)), Philip Schaffer (50 acres (20 ha)), and James Wheeler (80 acres (32 ha)) all along the south bank of Mullet Creek. Alex Macdonald was granted 80 acres (32 ha) at the beach in 1815 and west of this land JT Collins had 93.5 acres (37.8 ha) by 1857.
During the nineteenth century, travellers had to ford the lake until 1880 when the first bridge opened. A second bridge at the mouth of the lagoon in Ocean Street was built in 1925. Narrabeen Post Office opened on 1 August 1898. Narrabeen North Post Office opened on 19 August 1926 and closed in 1984. With the extension of the tram to Narrabeen in 1913 providing easier transport, the whole area around the lake became popular for holidays and camping. A large camping ground became established on the north shore of the lagoon. In 1946 the Wakehurst Parkway was opened to North Narrabeen connecting the whole Pittwater area directly to Frenchs Forest and Seaforth. Narrabeen East Post Office opened on 2 June 1947, was renamed Narrabeen Peninsula in November that year and closed in 1965.
In January 2005, workmen excavating beside the bus shelter on Ocean Street at Octavia Street found a skeleton, which subsequent investigation revealed to be 4,000-year-old remains of a man. He has become known as Narrabeen Man.
Beaches
There are four beaches along the Narrabeen stretch of beach, North Narrabeen, Narrabeen, South Narrabeen and Collaroy beach. Although Collaroy is a separate suburb, its beach lies along the same stretch. All beaches have their own Surf Life Saving Club. There is also a lagoon at Narrabeen. Narrabeen beach is mentioned in the Beach Boys song Surfin' U.S.A., which in their live concert on 28 November 1992 at North Narrabeen Reserve they performed at the end of the encore.
Sport and recreation
The Sydney Institute of Sport is based in Narrabeen and has recently become the headquarters of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league club. North Narrabeen beach is commonly used for surfing competitions.
Education
Narrabeen is home to three primary schools and one high school:
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
- Narrabeen Lakes Public School
- North Narrabeen Public School
- Narrabeen Sports High School
Notable people
Notable people from or who have lived in Narrabeen include:
- James Graham Somerville, environmentalist, commemorated by the Jim Somerville Bridge on the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail.
- Greg Kelly, Beauty contest winner and renowned entrepreneur.
