Balgownie
Profile
Balgownie is a beautiful suburb that lies just 5 kilometres to the north-west of Wollongong CBD. It stretches from the lower slopes of Mount Keira along the Illawarra escarpment to the base of the Broker’s Nose promontory. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Balgownie is surrounded by lush greenery offered by the escarpment, with the suburb having a strong community spirit. To the east, Balgownie is bordered by the light industrial and commercial suburb of Fairy Meadow. The main street, Balgownie Road, connects the suburb to the Princes Highway. Balgownie is mostly residential with a small commercial centre known as the Balgownie Village, which features an array of boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Housing in Balgownie varies from older-style homes to new contemporary homes, with a mix of freestanding properties, apartments and villas being available. The suburb is popular with families, as there are several excellent schools and parks in the area, including Balgownie Public school.
Balgownie is a great place to explore the magnificent Illawarra Escarpment and offers fantastic outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, and stunning views. The area also has a close proximity to some of Illawarra’s beautiful beaches, including Fairy Meadow Beach.
Balgownie has a similar history to many towns on the NSW south coast. When first settled in the 19th century, Balgownie was the centre of local logging, coal mining and farming industries. The area features the oldest active soccer club in Australia, Balgownie Rangers, founded in 1883.
Sites of interest include the Balgownie Public School’s Museum and the war memorial. There are also several fine eateries in the suburb including Il Porcellino and Il Nido which serves Australian and Italian cuisine. Businesses include Local Business: Capri By Fleur E Scent in Balgownie is a successful wedding and events floristry business and gift shop in Balgownie.
Balgownie is a delightful suburb that offers a calm, community lifestyle with easy access to all the conveniences and attractions of the wider Wollongong area.
Local Organisation: Balgownie Junior Football Club – Before the Balgownie Junior Football Club formed, the area already had a rich football history through its senior team, The Balgownie Rangers Football Club. The senior team is one of the oldest running registered soccer clubs in Australia, having formed in 1883. It’s also produced famous soccer players like James “Judy” Masters, Tom Thompson, Dave Ward, Frank Smith, George Barlow and Matt Horsley. Masters was recognised as one of Australia’s best players of his time. But the junior club has its own rich history, having formed in the early 1950s. It was formed from a Balgownie Public School team playing in a school district competition in the late 1940s and into the early ’50s. Today, it’s a springboard for future stars.
Local Places: Balgownie Community Garden Bally’s Patch – Known as Bally’s Patch, the Balgownie Community Garden has gone through its fair share of challenges over the years. Learn more about the story of the Lot 21, Church St, Balgownie Garden.