Tamarama, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids TamaramaSydney, New South Wales |
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Tamarama Beach
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| Population | 1,622 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 5,400/km2 (14,000/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2026 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 0.3 km2 (0.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 7 km (4 mi) east of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Waverley Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Coogee | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Wentworth | ||||||||||||||
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Tamarama is a beautiful beachside area in the eastern part of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 6 kilometres east of the main city centre of Sydney. Tamarama is managed by the Waverley Council.
Tamarama has a small ocean beach. It is about 1 kilometre south of Bondi Beach and a short distance north of Bronte Beach. Most of Tamarama is homes, but the beach and nearby parks are very popular. People have enjoyed swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and picnics here for over 100 years.
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History of Tamarama
This area was first called Dixon Bay by early European settlers. Its name changed to Tamarama in the 1800s. The name Tamarama probably comes from an Aboriginal word, 'Gamma Gamma.' This word might mean 'storm.' It appeared on old maps of the coastline from the 1860s. In the late 1890s, people worked to allow swimming at Sydney beaches during the day. A writer named George Philip helped make this happen in Tamarama.
Fun Parks by the Beach
In 1887, Sydney's first coastal amusement park opened in Tamarama. It was one of the first in Australia! This park was called The Bondi Aquarium. Its most exciting ride was a roller coaster that plunged and twisted over the beach. Many people came to the park. They enjoyed the rides, vaudeville shows, and even saw aquarium animals. There were seals and a tiger shark.
On July 11, 1891, a fire destroyed the aquarium and its main building. But it was rebuilt quickly and opened again in September of the same year. It continued to entertain people in Sydney. The last known show at the Aquarium was in July 1906.
The park changed owners a few times. In 1906, William Anderson bought the site. He changed the amusement park and renamed it Wonderland City. Wonderland City opened in 1906, taking the place of the Bondi Aquarium. This new park had its own steam power plant. It even had an airship floating over the bay! An elephant named Alice gave rides on the beach. There was also a miniature railway that ran for two miles along the cliff tops.
Wonderland City faced problems. There were arguments with local people about getting to the beach. There were also claims of being unkind to animals. An incident with the airship also caused trouble. Because of fewer visitors and less money, Wonderland City closed in 1911. In 1920, the New South Wales Government bought the land. They made it Tamarama Park. You can still find a street called Wonderland Avenue in Tamarama today.
Tamarama Beach
Tamarama Beach is a small beach located between two large headlands. Behind the beach is a sandy valley with nice parkland and picnic spots. Tamarama is a very narrow beach, and it can be tricky because of its size. People sometimes call Tamarama Beach Glamarama (or Glamourama). This is because many stylish people are said to sunbathe on this tiny strip of sand. The Tamarama Surf Club is on the northern side, high up on the headland. From there, it can see the whole beach.
Beach Safety
Tamarama Beach can be dangerous for most swimmers. This is because the water is deep, the beach is small, and it faces east. Even with small ocean waves, strong rip currents can form. When you swim at Tamarama Beach, it is very important to listen to the surf life savers.
The Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club says that Tamarama is the most dangerous patrolled beach in New South Wales. They rescue more swimmers here than at any other beach in Sydney. Rip currents can be as fast as 2 metres per second. One or two rip currents are almost always there, making the whole swimming area tricky. When big waves roll in, an offshore rock shelf creates amazing 12 to 15-foot waves. These waves attract experienced surfers, photographers, and people who watch from the cliffs above.
Sports and Fun
Tamarama is home to a team in one of Australia's most popular sports, the National Rugby League. The local team is the Sydney Roosters, also known as the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club.
Events and Walks
Tamarama is right in the middle of the "Bondi to Bronte Ocean Walk." This is the most popular coastal walking path in Australia. The beach and parkland are also part of the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. This is a free event held every year in late spring. It is the most popular outdoor art show in Australia.
Surf Lifesaving Club
The beach is home to one of the first surf lifesaving clubs in the world, the Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club. It was started in 1906. The club is very proud that no one has ever drowned in the surf while they were on patrol for over 100 years. This is an amazing achievement! The currents or "rips" in the surf zone here are known to be among the most dangerous on Australia's east coast.
Images for kids
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The Bondi Aquarium at Tamarama, circa 1890
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Tamarama Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
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Tamarama
