Whitebridge, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whitebridge Newcastle, New South Wales
Whitebridge Location in the Hunter-Central Coast Region
Population	2,900 (2021 census)
• Density	492/km2 (1,270/sq mi)
Established	1888
Postcode(s)	2290
Area	5.9 km2 (2.3 sq mi)
Location	11 km (7 mi) SW of Newcastle 2 km (1 mi) E of Charlestown
LGA(s)	City of Lake Macquarie
Parish	Kahibah
State electorate(s)	Charlestown
Federal Division(s)	Shortland
Suburbs around Whitebridge: Kahibah Highfields Merewether Charlestown Whitebridge Pacific Ocean Gateshead Dudley Pacific Ocean

Whitebridge is a suburb located in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 11 kilometers (7 miles) southwest of Newcastle's main city area. Whitebridge sits on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie and is part of the City of Lake Macquarie, which is a local government area.

A Look Back in Time

The land where Whitebridge is today has a long history. The traditional owners of this area are the Awabakal people. They have lived here for thousands of years.

How Whitebridge Got Its Name

Whitebridge got its name from a special bridge. There used to be a white truss bridge (a type of bridge with a strong framework) that went over the Belmont Railway Line. This white bridge was later replaced by a concrete bridge. Today, this concrete bridge is part of Dudley Road.

Whitebridge and Coal Mining

Coal mining began in Whitebridge in 1888. The mine was called the Burwood No.3 Colliery. This mine was very important. It operated for almost 100 years! It was one of Australia's biggest coal producers. The Burwood No.3 Colliery finally closed down in 1982.

Whitebridge High School

A big step for the community was when Whitebridge High School opened. This school welcomed its first students in 1963.