Hunter's Hill, New South Wales

Hunters Hill is a small peninsula that separates the Lane Cove River and Parramatta River. It can be reached easily by bus or even by ferry for those who live near the water on the peninsula.

History

Hunters Hill was named after John Hunter the second Governor of New South Wales between 1795 and 1800.

Aboriginal Culture

The area's Aboriginal name is 'Mookaboola' or 'Moocooboola', which means meeting of waters.

European Settlement

Hunters Hill is one of the oldest areas on the north side of Sydney Harbour but wasn't settled until 1835. One of the earliest settlers was Mary Reiby, the first woman retailer in Sydney. During the 1840s, Hunters Hill was a haven for bushrangers and convicts who had escaped from the penal settlement on Cockatoo Island.

Proclaimed as a Borough in January 1861, the character of Hunters Hill was formed from 1860 through to the 1920s, with many of the buildings dating back to that period and often being built from the local sandstone. The area was linked to Drummoyne and the southern side of the Parramatta River by bridge in 1881 with the construction of the original Gladesville Bridge.

Houses

Hunters Hill has an area of 5.75 square kilometres including some 650,000 square metres of parks and reserves. Developments are mostly residential and it is recognised as one of Australia's oldest garden suburb with 75% of the Municipality being declared a conservation area.

Hunters Hill sports many heritage-listed buildings and it is positioned near or on the water, offering fine harbour views. Previously having a number of residents of French extraction, it was known as the "French Village" and shares a friendship with a sister city near Paris, Le Vésinet.

One of the many historic houses in Hunters Hill

Typical street in Hunters Hill

Local shops in Hunters Hill

Landmarks

Hunters Hill is the site of the Catholic boys' secondary school, St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill High School, Boronia Park Public School and Hunters Hill Primary School. There is also a private hospital in Alexandra Street and in Barons Crescent a Jewish nursing home and synagogue named the Sir Moses Montefiore Home.

The Great North Walk through the large, waterfront parkland known as Boronia Park Reserve, contains Aborignal drawings thought to date back to before the start of the colony.

Transport

Several bus routes run through Hunter's Hill, including the 506 which goes to the city and the 536 to Chatswood.

The closest ferry wharves are Valencia St in Woolwich and Huntleys Point.

Hunter's Hill does not have a train station. A new station currently under construction at North Ryde will be the closest train station for the suburb. It is about 5 kilometres from Hunter's Hill, about a 5 minute drive or a longer 20-40 minute walk.

Population

Hunters Hill has a population of over 12,000 people (2001 Census).

References

The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled by Frances Pollen, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia ISBN 0-207-14495-8
The Official Community Profile of Hunters Hill