The street names of the eastern suburbs with Aboriginal origins

Many of the original Aboriginal inhabitants of much of Sydney’s eastern suburbs were the Cadigal (also spelt Gadigal) and the Birrabirragal people. They were part of the Eora Nation of around 29 clan groups who lived in the Sydney metropolitan area, Eora meaning ‘here’ or ‘from this place’. Today, Aboriginal culture lives on in the city in many ways and forms, and many of the streets still have names from Gadigal language. While I couldn’t uncover a great deal of information on the lives of the Cadigal and Birrabirragal in the eastern suburbs, the local area has plenty of evidence of early Aboriginal history with midden sites, rock engravings and shelters. 

The suburb name Woollahra (variously spelled as Woo-la-ra, Willarra and Wallara over the years) itself has its origins in Aboriginal languages. In 1788, the First Fleet officer Daniel Southwell translated Woo-la-ra as the look-out, though it’s also thought to mean meeting ground or camp. Some time later, in 1856, Sir Daniel Cooper chose the name Woollahra for the mansion he planned to build at Point Piper. The new municipality took the name Woollahra in 1860, and it has remained the same ever since. 

Bulkara Road, Bundarra Road and Ginaghulla Road, Bellevue Hill

Let’s start with Bellevue Hill, one of Sydney’s most prestigious suburbs, which has several street names with Aboriginal origins, including the three I’m going to look at here. The first European name by which the area was known was Vinegar Hill, though it was renamed by Governor Lachlan MacQuarie, who thought the name vulgar. 

One such street in Bellevue Hill is Bundarra Road, which gets its name from the Kamilaroi word for the grey kangaroo. Another is Bulkara Road; Bulkara is the name for a mountain, from bulka, the back of a man or beast. 

Many of the properties in Bellevue Hill were built between 1910 and 1930 during the Federation era. One such historical home is 73 Bulkara Road, a magnificent Federation property that is one of Bellevue Hill's oldest and most significant properties. The c1916 residence reflects many features traditionally of Federation style, including palatial verandahs that overlook beautifully tended gardens and the splendour of Sydney Harbour. 

Ginaghulla Road on Bellevue Hill is home to one of the area’s most important residences, Fairfax House, also known simply as Ginaghulla. This two-storey gothic house was built in 1858 by John Fairfax of the Fairfax family of newspaper proprietors. Situated on the southside of Ginaghulla Road, the house stayed in the Fairfax family until 1945 when it was purchased by the prestigious independent school The Scots College, which uses it as a boarding house.  

Rona is another significant historical property located on Ginaghulla Road, which I wrote about in more detail previously, here https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/three-historic-homes-you-should-know-bellevue-hill-ashley-bierman/?trackingId=xGGhdnnFSKuXcQ6qqD7rSw%3D%3D. This Victorian gothic mansion is considered one of the finest estates in Australia, spanning 45 rooms, occupying 1.4 acres of land and enjoying unbeatable 180-degree views of Sydney harbour.  

Yarranabbe Road, Darling Point

Before European settlement, Darling Point was originally named after an Aboriginal head man or chief named Yaranabie or Euranabie, who belonged to one of the Aboriginal tribes living in the area at that time. The name subsequently became spelled as Yarranabbe. 

In the 1830s, the area was named Mrs Darling’s Point after Elizabeth Darling, the wife of New South Wales Governor Ralph Darling, before becoming simply Darling Point as we know it today. Residential development emerged here in 1833, and it remains today one of the most popular and prestigious places to live in the city.

When Darling Point was subdivided, access roads were put in place, and the road to the north-eastern side was named Yarranabbe Road. Yarranabbe Road is now home to some of the most stylish apartments and penthouses, all enjoying stunning views overlooking the bay. 

Wyuna Road and Wunulla Road, Point Piper 

Point Piper is small in size, but vast in terms of prestige and affluence. This smart harbourside Eastern Suburb is home to Wyuna Road, which is thought to be derived from a word meaning clear or clear water. Many lavish multi-million-dollar mansions can be found lining this road.  

Right next door is Wunulla Road, which is home to the Altona mansion, one of Australia’s most coveted properties and former playground of the rich and famous. Altona has in its past hosted some of Sydney’s most glamorous parties and events, filled with showbiz faces. Built in 1904, the impressive property was purchased by the billionaire Huang family in 2016 for just over $60 million. 

Burrabirra Avenue, Vaucluse 

Before European settlement, the area where Vaucluse is now located was inhabited by the Birrabirragal Aboriginal clan, who belonged to the coastal Dharug language group. It is likely to be this clan from which this street gained its name. 

Vaucluse is one of the most expensive suburbs in Australia, with record-breaking property deals taking place over the years. Many houses are from the Federation era, often sympathetically renovated with a charming fusion of old-world charm and contemporary finishes. One such property is the stunning five-bed mansion located at 15 Burrabirra Avenue. Its impressive traditional sandstone and timber-shingled fa?ade blends beautifully with a sleek modern extension to make a truly grand home.  

There is no question that Aboriginal culture is a hugely influential and important part of Australia’s present, as well as our past. I’m happy to see some of the names live on as street names as a reminder of the rich heritage of Australia’s First Nation’s people. Do you know anything more about the meanings behind any other street names in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs? I’m always eager to learn, so please do get in touch if you have any interesting information to share.