“A quiet place in the hills” is what the Aboriginal name Narraweena means. That’s quite fitting, don’t you think? Narraweena is a suburb in northern Sydney. It is located 18 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district. This puts it in the Northern Beaches region.
Let’s take a closer look at Narraweena. The suburb we see today developed after World War II. The land was subdivided then. The Narraweena Post Office opened on April 1, 1953 marking a turning point.
Narraweena is known as a family-oriented suburb. Many people move here from apartments to houses. The wide streets make it a pleasant place to live.
Narraweena sits high on a ridge. This gives residents superb views. They can see Long Reef and Dee Why beaches. You can also spot the Garigal Forest.
Locals often call the Northern Beaches “God’s country”. Narraweena sits at the heart of it. Shops and schools are close by. There are many beaches to enjoy.
Narraweena offers convenient access to many amenities. Warringah Mall is only five minutes away. It is one of the largest shopping centres in the southern hemisphere. The Hoyts cinema complex is there. You can also find a massive JB Hi Fi store. Many food choices are in the food court.
For a local touch, try the shops on May Road. You can find take-away eateries, a bottle shop and a bakery. More fabulous local shops are along Alfred Street.
Narraweena is ideally located. It makes it easy to enjoy the bush and the ocean. Beverley Job Park has tennis courts. You can also find cricket pitches and rugby fields. Narraweena is near Oxford Falls and Allambie Heights. The Garrigal National Park and the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park are there. Walking and riding tracks are available.
The closest beach is Dee Why. But there are many other beaches including Manly, Freshwater and Curl Curl. Public transport is easy in Narraweena. Buses run through the suburb and along Pittwater Road. You can reach the mall, Palm Beach and Chatswood by bus. You can even get to the city without a car.
Narraweena has two schools. Narraweena Public School caters to those who choose a public education. St John’s Catholic School is for those who want a private, religious education. Both schools go from kindergarten to year six.
Since the 1980s Italian people from Pazzano have celebrated Santo Salvatore’s feast every year. A statue similar to the original is taken from the Catholic church of Narraweena. It processes around the suburb and back.
Narraweena truly captures the essence of a quiet place in the hills. Its history, location and community make it a special part of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.