CASTLE HILL
Castle Hill is located approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Sydney in the Shire of Baulkham Hills.
The original inhabitants of the Castle Hill area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how they utilised the local area.
The exact origin of the name Castle Hill is not known. One origin is thought to be the fine views offered by the hills in the district. Governor Phillip first saw the area on one of his exploratory trips in 1791. Governor King began ‘Government Farm’ in the area in July 1801, referring to it as Castle Hill in March 1802. The farm of 34,539 acres ranged from West Pennant Hills to Maroota, although only a small portion was cultivated. In 1804, 266 Irish convicts escaped the farm with stolen rifles and makeshift weapons, intending to march on Parramatta before overthrowing the English authority in Sydney Town. Their plot was betrayed and they were consequently defeated by the English redcoats. It was the first European uprising on Australian soil and is known as the Castle Hill rebellion. Castle Hill Heritage Park in Banks Road is a remnant of Government Park.
Castle Hill Heritage Park in Banks Road remains a remnant of Government Park. The first free settler in Castle Hill was Frenchman, Baron Verincourt de Clambe, who received a grant of 200 acres in 1802. It has been suggested that de Clambe's house "The Hermitage" was commonly called 'The Castle' by locals, because of the Baron's noble status.
Castle Hill is a vibrant hub for Sydney’s northwest. It offers visitors a selection of attractions including the annual Castle Hill Show and Orange Blossom Festival along with a huge variety of restaurants, diverse shopping opportunities, accommodation and leisure activities including; movies, ice skating, tenpin bowling, rock climbing and major sports facilities. West Pennant Hills is one of the most illustrious suburbs with the Hills and has a current population of around 12,703. (ABS Census 2006).
Population growth has occurred due to major expansion of 'the valley' area which has seen the development of many modern executive style homes. Other areas in West Pennant Hills are primarily made up of older more established houses.
West Pennant Hills Town Centre, based on Thompson's Corner, is relatively small and offers mainly street shopping, a small arcade and a supermarket. Other shopping needs are fulfilled by Coonara Shopping Village located in the valley area in West Pennant Hills and Castle Towers Shopping Centre, a large regional shopping centre located in Castle Hill which is only 5 minutes drive away.
West Pennant Hills is in close proximity to a variety of schools - religious, private and public (see categories) and with the M2 Motorway only a short distance, access to other education facilities such as Macquarie University is not difficult. The M2 Motorway also allows commuters to travel to Sydney CBD within 30minutes (on a good day).
West Pennant Hills is also located near Beecroft and Pennant Hills, which are both on the train line and allow less stressful travel to Sydney CBD, Hornsby and The Central Coast. With buses servicing all corners of the suburb access to these train stations is made easy.
West Pennant Hills is also the home of Cumberland State Forrest and Koala Park Sanctuary both considered great tourist attractions as well as providing West Pennant Hills with its unique picturesque and peaceful quality.
http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/
The original inhabitants of the Castle Hill area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how they utilised the local area.
The exact origin of the name Castle Hill is not known. One origin is thought to be the fine views offered by the hills in the district. Governor Phillip first saw the area on one of his exploratory trips in 1791. Governor King began ‘Government Farm’ in the area in July 1801, referring to it as Castle Hill in March 1802. The farm of 34,539 acres ranged from West Pennant Hills to Maroota, although only a small portion was cultivated. In 1804, 266 Irish convicts escaped the farm with stolen rifles and makeshift weapons, intending to march on Parramatta before overthrowing the English authority in Sydney Town. Their plot was betrayed and they were consequently defeated by the English redcoats. It was the first European uprising on Australian soil and is known as the Castle Hill rebellion. Castle Hill Heritage Park in Banks Road is a remnant of Government Park.
Castle Hill Heritage Park in Banks Road remains a remnant of Government Park. The first free settler in Castle Hill was Frenchman, Baron Verincourt de Clambe, who received a grant of 200 acres in 1802. It has been suggested that de Clambe's house "The Hermitage" was commonly called 'The Castle' by locals, because of the Baron's noble status.
Castle Hill is a vibrant hub for Sydney’s northwest. It offers visitors a selection of attractions including the annual Castle Hill Show and Orange Blossom Festival along with a huge variety of restaurants, diverse shopping opportunities, accommodation and leisure activities including; movies, ice skating, tenpin bowling, rock climbing and major sports facilities. West Pennant Hills is one of the most illustrious suburbs with the Hills and has a current population of around 12,703. (ABS Census 2006).
Population growth has occurred due to major expansion of 'the valley' area which has seen the development of many modern executive style homes. Other areas in West Pennant Hills are primarily made up of older more established houses.
West Pennant Hills Town Centre, based on Thompson's Corner, is relatively small and offers mainly street shopping, a small arcade and a supermarket. Other shopping needs are fulfilled by Coonara Shopping Village located in the valley area in West Pennant Hills and Castle Towers Shopping Centre, a large regional shopping centre located in Castle Hill which is only 5 minutes drive away.
West Pennant Hills is in close proximity to a variety of schools - religious, private and public (see categories) and with the M2 Motorway only a short distance, access to other education facilities such as Macquarie University is not difficult. The M2 Motorway also allows commuters to travel to Sydney CBD within 30minutes (on a good day).
West Pennant Hills is also located near Beecroft and Pennant Hills, which are both on the train line and allow less stressful travel to Sydney CBD, Hornsby and The Central Coast. With buses servicing all corners of the suburb access to these train stations is made easy.
West Pennant Hills is also the home of Cumberland State Forrest and Koala Park Sanctuary both considered great tourist attractions as well as providing West Pennant Hills with its unique picturesque and peaceful quality.
http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/
