Wallacia, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WallaciaSydney, New South Wales |
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Aerial view of Warragamba Dam, Silverdale, and Wallacia
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| Population | 1,700 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1906 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2745 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 58 m (190 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 68 km (42 mi) west of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
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| State electorate(s) |
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| Federal Division(s) | Hume | ||||||||||||||
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Wallacia is a suburb located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a small country village. Wallacia is about 68 kilometers (42 miles) west of the main city area of Sydney. It is part of the Greater Western Sydney region. This area is managed by three local councils: City of Penrith, City of Liverpool, and Wollondilly Shire.
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The Story of Wallacia's Name
The area was first called Riverview. Later, people started calling it Wallace. This was after a man named Robert Wallace. He grazed his cattle on a large piece of land. His house became an unofficial Post Office in November 1885.
In 1897, a school was built and named Wallace School. When the Post Office became official in November 1905, the main Post Office wanted to call the area Boondah. This was because the name Wallace was already used somewhere else in New South Wales.
However, the people living there did not like the name Boondah. They wanted to keep a link to Robert Wallace. So, they suggested the name Wallacia. This new name was officially approved on June 1, 1906.
The Fowler Family and the Post Office
On March 25, 1908, the Fowler family moved to Wallacia. John Fowler took over the Wallacia Post Office on April 1, 1908. His family managed the Post Office for 100 years. They celebrated this amazing milestone on April 1, 2008.
How Wallacia Grew Over Time
In the 1800s, Wallacia was mostly used for dairy farming and raising animals. In the early 1900s, it became a popular place for tourists. People from Sydney would visit because it was a peaceful country area. Many families opened their homes as guest houses for visitors.
After World War II, more people owned cars. Air travel also became easier. This meant fewer people visited Wallacia for holidays. The local tourism business slowed down. For many years, Wallacia was home to Bullen's Animal World. This was a fun theme park and circus.
Today, Wallacia is growing again. Many people are buying "hobby farms" here. They want a quiet place away from city life. In 2006, Wallacia celebrated its 100th birthday. There was a big parade with floats, line dancing, and old trucks.
Early Industry and the Nepean River
An explorer named John Blaxland built a wooden weir (a small dam) on the Nepean River. This weir helped power a flour mill and a brewery. Later, the flour mill stopped working. A man named George Edward Cox bought the land to stop the brewing.
This land was then bought by William "Billy" Baines. Today, a hill on Silverdale Road is named Baines Hill after him. In 1873, there was a very big flood on the Nepean River. Billy Baines marked the flood level with a special brass plaque. You can still see a watermark from that flood on a wooden pillar at Grove Farm.
Fun Places to Visit in Wallacia
Wallacia is located right next to the beautiful Nepean River. There are many interesting spots to see.
- The Weir: This is a small dam on the river. Wallacia was the first place in Australia to add a "fish ladder" next to a weir. A fish ladder helps fish swim past the weir to other parts of the river.
- Wallacia Bridge: A well-known bridge crossing the river.
- Little Bondi: A popular spot along the river.
- Wallacia Hotel: This hotel has a unique "mock Tudor" design. It is a main attraction for people visiting for the day.
- Wallacia Golf Course: Another popular spot for visitors.
Parks and Community Events
Blaxland Crossing Reserve is a large park. It has picnic tables and barbecue areas. It is very close to the Nepean River. Every September, the Assyrian people hold a special event here. It celebrates Saint Zaia. Around 1000 people usually attend. They enjoy live Assyrian music and dancing.
Other Interesting Places
The Phap Bao Zen Centre is a Vietnamese Buddhist monastery. It is also located in Wallacia. A few kilometers south of Wallacia, you can find Bents Basin. This is a nature reserve with a large, fun swimming hole.
