Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Hunters Hill area were the Wallumedegal Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from 1795 when land was first farmed. Growth was minimal until the late 1840s when many mansions were constructed (many of them from local sandstone) and a monastery was established. Growth took place from the 1880s to the early 1900s, spurred by subdivision, the establishment of a regular ferry service, the opening of several bridges and growth in the shipbuilding industry. Significant development occurred in the post-war years, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. The population began to decline from the mid 1970s, falling from 13,000 in 1976 to 12,000 in 1991.The population was relatively stable between 1991 and 1996, then increased from 1996 to reach 13,100 in 2006. Recent growth is primarily from infill development (dual occupancy and medium density housing).

Land use

Hunters Hill Municipality is a predominantly residential area with very little commercial or industrial land use. Hunters Hill is the smallest municipality in metropolitan Sydney with an area of 6 square kilometres, including many parks and reserves. Hunters Hill is recognised as Australia's oldest garden suburb, with 75% of the municipality declared a conservation area.

Major features

• Major features of the area include St Josephs College,
• The Great North Walk track,
• The Priory,
• Kelly's Bush,
• Tarban Creek and Boronia Park.

Included areas