Unanderra, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Unanderra Wollongong, New South Wales
Unanderra Location in New South Wales
Population	5,434 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	2526
Elevation	14 m (46 ft)
Location	90 km (56 mi) S of Sydney 6 km (4 mi) SW of Wollongong 34 km (21 mi) N of Kiama
LGA(s)	City of Wollongong
State electorate(s)	Wollongong
Federal Division(s)	Cunningham Whitlam
Suburbs around Unanderra: Cordeaux Heights Figtree Spring Hill Farmborough Heights Unanderra Cringila Kembla Grange Berkeley Berkeley

Unanderra is a suburb located in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. It's like a neighborhood within a bigger city. It is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of Wollongong's city center.

Unanderra is a mix of homes and businesses. Most of the houses are west of the Princes Highway. The industrial areas are mostly to the east. Along the highway, you can find shops like Woolworths and other specialty stores.

This suburb is part of the Illawarra coastal plain. Its western edge sits at the bottom of the Mount Kembla foothills. From the highway, you can see Mount Kembla, and it looks a bit different from other views.

History of Unanderra

Early Days and Name Change

When Unanderra was first settled, it was known as Charcoal or Charcoal Creek. This name came from a large waterway that flowed through the area.

A Hub for Produce

From the late 1800s, Unanderra became an important place for farmers. It was a gateway for fresh produce like apples, beans, peas, and milk. These goods came from nearby areas such as South Kembla and Cordeaux Valley. Some even came from as far away as Goondarrin. All this produce was sent to the Sydney Municipal markets.

The Railway Connection

On August 20, 1932, Unanderra became a key railway junction. A new railway line to Moss Vale started here. This line was known for its beautiful views and steep slopes.

The Unanderra Hotel

The Unanderra Hotel was built in 1956. It has been updated since then and is now a popular spot in the area.

Places to See in Unanderra

Beautiful Churches

Unanderra has two very distinct and beautiful churches.

• The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church opened in 1954. It was made bigger in 1997. You can find it at 48 Princes Highway.
• Saint Thomas Syriac Orthodox Church opened in 2007. It is located on Central Road.

Community and History

Unanderra also has several local attractions. These include an old school building and some historic houses. There is also a community center that is very important to the area's history.

• The community center is located in what used to be the Central Illawarra Municipal Council Chambers. These chambers opened in 1901.
• They were used until 1947. That's when the North Illawarra and Central Illawarra councils joined together. They formed the City of Greater Wollongong.
• The Unanderra Branch Library opened in 1955 inside this community center. It was made larger in 1960.