Wollstonecraft, New South Wales

Wollstonecraft (UK: /ˈwʊlstənkrɑːft/ WUUL-stən-krahft, US: /-kræft/ -⁠kraft) is a harbourside suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 4 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council.

Wollstonecraft Sydney, New South Wales
Brennan Park
Wollstonecraft
Coordinates	33°50′01″S 151°11′29″E
Population	8,115 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	6,760/km2 (17,500/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2065
Elevation	61 m (200 ft)
Area	1.2 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Location	4 km (2 mi) north of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	North Sydney Council
State electorate(s)	North Shore
Federal division(s)	Warringah
Suburbs around Wollstonecraft: St Leonards St Leonards Crows Nest Greenwich Wollstonecraft North Sydney Greenwich Waverton North Sydney

Geography

Wollstonecraft is approximately 4 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and lies within the northern waterways of Sydney Harbour.

History

Wollstonecraft was named after Edward Wollstonecraft, the first settler to receive a land grant of 500 acres (200 hectares) in the area, in 1821.^[2] Wollstonecraft left England to seek fortune for himself and his sister Elizabeth and to escape the notoriety of his aunt, Mary Wollstonecraft, author of the book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.^[3]

Edward Wollstonecraft's business associate, Alexander Berry, was another prominent resident in the area,^[4] and namesake of Berry Island, a harbour-side location in Wollstonecraft.

The suburb is rich in its architectural history with a mixture of stately Victorian and Federation houses.

The area is part of the traditional lands of the Cammeraygal people of the Eora nation.

Wollstonecraft was originally part of a larger area of St Leonards. It gained its own status as a suburb in 1911.

Wollstonecraft experienced rapid suburban growth after World War II, with an influx of migrants, particularly from Europe. The early post-war period was marked by increasing construction, with many homes and apartments being built to cater to the growing population. As a middle-class residential area, Wollstonecraft continued to attract families, drawn by its proximity to the city and relatively leafy, suburban feel.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2019 Wollstonecraft is ranked as the 6th most liveable suburb in Sydney out of the 569 on Domain.^[5]

Population

In the 2021 Census, there were 8,115 people in Wollstonecraft. 56.4% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 6.4%, China 3.9%, India 2.7%, New Zealand 2.6% and Hong Kong 2.4%. 71.4% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 4.3%, Cantonese 4.1%, Japanese 1.6% and Spanish 1.5%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 48.5%, Catholic 19.3%, Anglican 10.1 and Buddhism 2.7%.^[1]

Historical Population (1991 – 2021)

1991	1996	2001	2006	2011	2016	2021
5696	6355	7572	7580	8012	8323	8115

Natural Reserves and Parks

• Badangi Reserve – Badangi Reserve is a small protected reserve with one main path connecting adjacent Berry Island and Wondakiah up to Bridge End road near the trainline
• Berry Island – The most well known park in the suburb which has a large open grass strip next to the harbour and a loop bush track with a lookout overlooking the inner harbour as well as Indigenous rock engravings further along the trail.
• Gore Cove Reserve – Long waterside bush trail up Berry's creek from Berry Island up to Smoothey park and Wollstonecraft railway station.
• Brennan Park – Popular park next to Waverton and the train line with a large playground and open space.
• Smoothey Park
• Oyster Cove Reserve
• Harry Howard Reserve

• 
  Brennan Park
• 
  View over Brennan Park

Tourism

Wollstonecraft is a quiet lower North Shore harbour-side suburb. For an environmentally friendly suburban atmosphere of its relaxed way of life, it includes a collection of leafy residential neighbourhoods and stunning local attractive parks.

Transport

Wollstonecraft railway station is on the North Shore railway line.

Notable residents

• John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia.^[6]

John Howard