Explore Wahroonga
Exquisitely manicured lawns, grand storybook homes and a bustling community-driven village give Wahroonga its delightful charm.
This leafy suburb on the Upper North Shore offers a much-desired lifestyle. Wahroonga, nestled in Sydney’s Upper North Shore region, is home to a picturesque and lush suburban lifestyle catering to those looking for a tree change and enjoying Sydney’s offerings closer to nature.
A rich history
Originally home to the Darramuragal or Darug people, the name ‘Wahroonga’, originates from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘our home’.
In 1822, Thomas Hyndes, a British convict who later became a wealthy landowner, moved to Wahroonga.
As was the case with most of the Upper North Shore, timber-getting was the prominent industry around Wahroonga. However, once Thomas Hyndes sold off his land to John Brown, it was used for orchards. Brown was prominent in the area and several neighbourhood streets are named after his three children: Ada, Lucinda and Roland. John Brown is also remembered in Browns Road, Browns Field and Browns Waterhole on the Lane Cove River.
Further development in the area came in 1890 with the opening of the train station. This was soon followed by the post office, which commenced trading in 1896.
Wahroonga became home to large estate mansions owned by wealthy businessmen and their families, following the trend of escaping the crowded inner city. Those who serviced the homes and local area typically lived in smaller weatherboard cottages.
Because of its history, and the grandeur of some of the homes, a number are heritage-listed. Breaking the mould are some unique properties, like the 1940s Rose Seidler house, open to the public every Sunday.
Why do the locals love Wahroonga?
1. A buzzing food and retail scene
Nestled in a natural bushland setting, Wahroonga ticks all the boxes. Whether enjoying the wide offering of parks and outdoor activities – from mountain biking to tennis – or perusing the shops and cafes, this is community living at its finest.
When it comes to dining, there are a multitude of options. First and foremost, coffee. Missing Spoon, Fox Café or Pastadelli seem to be the fan favourites. Breakfast or lunch is best consumed at Karoo and Co, Cedarwood Cafe or the infamous Butchers Block. Café Patina is also extremely popular with its parkside location and quaint ambience. By night, Karoo and Co turns into a buzzing spot for burgers and Woodfired Pizza. The locals also swear by Italian at La Zana or Blue Lemon for sushi on the run.
The village surrounding Railway and Iloura Avenue, boasts a superb shopping experience. The Tara Dennis Store, Avenue Luxe and the Road Less Taken are the prime picks for the homewares and interiors fanatic. Get lost in the pages of Novella bookstore or be socially conscious and visit The Possibility Project, which celebrates products that tell a story.
2. Leading the way
The educational offerings in Wahroonga are extremely inviting for families. The well-established, top private schools include Knox Grammar, founded in 19241, and Abbotsleigh School, founded in 1885.
The local Wahroonga Public School also known as ‘the bush school’ has an incredibly high standard of learning and a fabulous reputation. In addition, students come from in and around the area to attend Wahroonga Preparatory School, Prouille Catholic Primary School and Wahroonga Adventist School. For the little ones, there are several homely daycare/preschool options.
Wahroonga is also home to the Sydney Adventist Hospital, state-of-the-art facilities and leading practitioners who keep the San at the forefront of healthcare.
3. The Green Village
Wahroonga is home to over 30 parks, which cover 9.4% of the area2. Of all the options, Wahroonga Park is the hero of the suburb, with people visiting from near and far. It is the ideal location for picnics, play dates and local events. The themed playground is a huge hit with the younger folk whilst events such as the Wahroonga Food and Wine Festival and Twilight Concert are drawcards for the entire community.
Known for their leafiness, the tree-lined streets are an adored suburb feature. Take a drive down Burns Rd, Water St and Billyard Ave and immerse yourself in this natural environment – and have a look at the amazing gardens.
When it comes to a sustainable lifestyle, Ku-ring-gai Council is leading the way. With an environmental levy in perpetuity, benefits include a reduction in energy and water use and protection for waterways, flora and fauna, just to name a few. The council is also heavily invested in the Towards Zero Emissions 2030 project, which plans to reach 100% renewable energy for all grid-sourced electricity by 2030.
Property Market Report
Real estate in Wahroonga remains in high demand, and the area caters to families, couples, and singles. Road and rail connections make it a desirable option.
2023 saw the median house price at $2,695,000 with a slight drop of -0.2% for the past 12 months and a staggering 31.35% growth for the 5-year median price trend. Unit sales are an average of $955,000, with a -13.2% year-on-year increase and a 13.09% growth for the 5-year median price trend3.
In terms of investment properties, rents for houses sit at $1,125 per week and units at $6723.
Over the past 5 years, Wahroonga has seen a compound growth rate of -0.2% for houses and -13.2% for units3. With such a slight decline in market prices, it’s a great opportunity for potential house buyers to crack the market with a real estate agent to help make informed decisions.
If you’re thinking of buying, selling or renting in Wahroonga, it helps to seek a real estate agent to give you real-time market insights and informed advice on how to get the most value out of selling or buying a property.
References:
[1] Knox Grammar School: History of Knox
