Rose Bay, New South Wales Facts for Kids

Rose Bay is a beautiful suburb located by the water in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about seven kilometers east of the Sydney CBD. Rose Bay is managed by two local councils: Woollahra Council on its western side and Waverley Council on its eastern side.

Geography and Views

Rose Bay offers amazing views of two of Sydney's most famous landmarks: the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Lyne Park is right next to Sydney Harbour. You can also see Shark Island in Sydney Harbour, just north of Rose Bay.

A Look at Rose Bay's Past

Rose Bay, around 1900

Qantas Empire Airways seaplane flights arriving at Rose Bay (around 1939)

The original name for the land where Rose Bay now stands is Banarung, from the Dharag Language. The suburb was named after George Rose, a British government official, back in 1788.

Naval Training Ship

From 1912 to 1927, a ship called HMAS Tingira was docked in Rose Bay. Its name means 'open sea' in an Aboriginal language. This ship was used to train over 3,000 Australian sailors, many of whom served in World War I. There's a small park on the Rose Bay waterfront that remembers the Tingira.

Sydney's First International Airport

Starting in 1938, Rose Bay became Sydney's first international airport! This was for seaplanes that flew to and from London. On September 14, 1945, nine Catalina flying boats landed here. They brought back Australian prisoners of war who had survived Japanese camps. People in Sydney were very sad to see how much the soldiers had suffered.

The Wintergarden Cinema

The Wintergarden Cinema was a well-known building in Rose Bay. It hosted the Sydney Film Festival for several years. Sadly, it was taken down in the late 1980s to build new apartments.

Important Heritage Sites

Rose Bay has several places that are protected because of their history. These include:

3-4 Fernleigh Gardens: The site of a special Ficus superba var. henneana tree.
New South Head Road: The Rose Bay Sea Wall.
1-7 Salisbury Road: Salisbury Court.

Rose Bay Cottage

Rose Bay Cottage (then called Rose Bay Lodge) around 1855, when it was owned by Sir Daniel Cooper.

Rose Bay Cottage, also known as Salisbury Court, was built in 1834. It was designed by a famous architect named John Verge. This house was one of the very first homes in the area. It started as a single-story house with a large cellar and a verandah. Over the years, it was made much bigger.

From 1861 to 1911, it was often called Rose Bay Lodge. It had beautiful gardens with five fountains, and one of them is still there today! Many important businessmen and politicians lived in the house, like Sir Daniel Cooper. Later, the house was divided into twelve flats. It has since been carefully restored to its original look. This house is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

Fernleigh Castle

Fernleigh Castle was built in 1892. It looks like a real castle with its towers and stone walls. The building has thirty rooms and pretty stained-glass windows. A very old fig tree, planted around 1827, is also on the grounds of the former castle. This tree is also listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

Rose Bay Police Station

The Rose Bay Police Station was originally the gatekeeper's lodge for a large mansion called Woollahra House. The building was designed in a classic Victorian style in 1871. It has been nicely restored and is now a heritage site.

Schools and Learning

Kambala School

Rose Bay has several schools for students of all ages:

Kambala (since 1887): An Anglican school for girls from pre-school to Year 12. It offers both day and boarding options.
Kincoppal – Rose Bay (since 1882): A Catholic school. It has a primary school for both boys and girls, and a high school just for girls. It used to be called Rose Bay Convent.
Cranbrook School: Its prep school campus is located in Rose Bay.
McAuley Primary School: A Catholic school for Kindergarten to Year 6.

Convent of the Sacred Heart (Kincoppal), around 1930s

Rose Bay Secondary College (since 2004): A public high school formed by combining Vaucluse High School and Dover Heights High School.
Rose Bay Public School (since 1891): A public primary school.

The Convent of the Sacred Heart building is very noticeable from Sydney Harbour. It was built in 1888 and is a beautiful sandstone building. It now houses the Kincoppal-Rose Bay school.

Getting Around Rose Bay

The Rose Bay ferry wharf is where you can catch ferries to places like Watsons Bay. There are also many buses that go to and from the center of Sydney, Kings Cross, and out to Watsons Bay. You can even take scenic seaplane flights over Sydney or to other coastal towns from the seaplane terminal near the ferry wharf.

Sports and Fun

Sydney Harbour, from Rose Bay

In 1902, a park called Lyne Park was created in Rose Bay. In 1904, harbour baths were built, but they are no longer there.

Rugby League

Since 1908, Rose Bay has been represented in the National Rugby League by the Sydney Roosters. They are one of Australia's most popular sports teams.

Golf Courses

Rose Bay has two golf courses:

Woollahra Golf Club: A public 9-hole course.
Royal Sydney Golf Club: A private 27-hole course.

Other Activities

The 3rd Rose Bay Rovers group is a very active Rovers group (like Scouts for older teens and young adults). They meet at the Scouts Hall. The Waverley Amateur Radio Society, Australia's oldest amateur radio club, also meets there regularly.

Rose Bay beach, sometimes called Dog Beach, is a popular spot for dog owners. However, it's not always safe for swimming because of pollution issues.

People of Rose Bay

Who Lives Here?

At the 2021 census, there were 9,911 people living in Rose Bay. Many people in Rose Bay were born in Australia (54.0%). Other large groups of people come from South Africa (8.7%), England (5.3%), and New Zealand (2.4%).

Rose Bay has a large Jewish community, with 27.3% of people saying they are Jewish. Other common beliefs include no religion (24.0%) and Catholic (17.2%).

Housing in Rose Bay

Most homes in Rose Bay are flats or apartments (68.5%). There are also separate houses (22.1%) and semi-detached homes (8.3%). Many homes are rented (43.2%).

Rose Bay in Books

The first novel by writer Elizabeth Harrower, called Down in the City, starts in Rose Bay. It tells the story of a character named Esther Prescott, who moves from her quiet life in Rose Bay to an apartment in Kings Cross.

Famous People from Rose Bay

Some well-known people who have lived in Rose Bay include:

Russell Crowe, actor and film producer
Russell Drysdale, painter
Peter Overton, television journalist
Jessica Rowe, television news presenter

Images for kids

Rose Bay Police Station
Sacred Heart Convent
Gate to Rose Bay war memorial
Rose Bay Cottage
Apartments, New South Head Road
House, 855 New South Head Road

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Rose Bay, New South Wales Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Rose Bay, New South Wales facts for kids

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