Balgownie

A Village Vibe with Escarpment Elegance

Nestled on the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment, Balgownie offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and community spirit. Just 5 km northwest of Wollongong CBD, this suburb is a sanctuary for those seeking tranquility without sacrificing convenience.

Lifestyle & Community

Balgownie exudes a village charm that's hard to resist. The heart of the suburb, Balgownie Village, is a hub of local businesses, cafes, and eateries, fostering a tight-knit community atmosphere. Residents often describe it as peaceful, green, and offering stunning views from various vantage points .

The suburb's rich history is evident in its heritage-listed sites and the long-standing Balgownie Rangers Football Club, established in 1883, making it the oldest running registered soccer club in Australia .

 
5772 people live in Balgownie
44 % of households are couples with children
76 % of households own their own home

 

 

Brief History

The original custodians of the Balgownie area were the Dharawal people, who lived in harmony with the escarpment and surrounding bushland. The suburb’s name is believed to have Scottish origins, likely inspired by the Balgownie area near Aberdeen. European settlement began with early farming and timber operations in the 19th century. The area grew steadily, with coal mining and the nearby Mount Pleasant mine contributing to its development. Balgownie Rangers Football Club, founded in 1883, is one of Australia’s oldest registered soccer clubs. For more on the suburb’s history, visit Wollongong City Council’s website.


Getting Around

Balgownie is ideally positioned for those seeking a quieter suburban lifestyle with easy access to city conveniences. Just a 10-minute drive from Wollongong CBD, it’s a great choice for working professionals and families alike. Commuters benefit from quick road connections—Memorial Drive links Balgownie to central Wollongong, while the nearby M1 motorway provides a direct route north to Sydney, with travel times typically around 90 minutes depending on traffic.

Although Balgownie doesn’t have its own train station, nearby suburbs like Fairy Meadow and Towradgi offer regular train services to both Sydney and the South Coast. Local bus services also run through Balgownie, connecting residents to surrounding suburbs, schools, and transport hubs.

For cyclists and weekend walkers, the suburb is close to shared pathways and scenic routes that weave through the escarpment and down to the coast, making the daily commute or weekend outing just as enjoyable as it is practical.


Things to do

Balgownie offers a charming blend of nature, sport, and community spirit. Tucked into the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment, it’s a haven for bushwalkers and nature lovers. The walking tracks, just minutes away, rewards the adventurous with sweeping coastal views, while local trails around Broker’s Nose and Mt Keira offer a quiet escape into the bush.

Balgownie Village is the suburb’s social heart, with popular cafés, boutique shops, and the iconic Balgownie Hotel—perfect for a weekend lunch or an easy afternoon catch-up. Families can enjoy spacious parks like Judy Masters Oval, ideal for picnics, playground time, or kicking a ball around.

The suburb is home to one of Australia's oldest football clubs, Balgownie Rangers FC, and hosts several community sporting groups, making weekend sport a big part of the local rhythm. Whether you’re into grassroots football, park runs, or scenic hikes, Balgownie balances a relaxed village lifestyle with plenty of ways to stay active and connected.


Shopping and Services

Balgownie is the kind of suburb where locals still greet their butcher by name and café owners remember your coffee order. The village centre along Balgownie Road is home to a variety of long-standing local businesses that form the backbone of the community—think family-run bakeries, hair salons, a popular IGA, and reliable takeaways that locals swear by.

You’ll find all your essentials within arm’s reach, including a pharmacy, post office, and several specialty stores. The Balgownie Hotel is a community staple, offering classic pub fare and a relaxed beer garden atmosphere perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a casual night out.

For medical needs, there are several GPs and allied health providers in the area, while larger services—including hospitals and bulk-billing clinics—are only a short drive away in Fairy Meadow or Wollongong. It’s a suburb that balances small-town familiarity with convenient access to everything you need.

 

 

Become a Local

Last Updated May 2025

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Schools & Transport in Balgownie

Balgownie Primary School
Primary School
K-6
Fairy Meadow Primary School
Primary School
K-6
Mt Ousley Primary School
Primary School
K-6
Pleasant Hts Primary School
Primary School
K-6
Tarrawanna Primary School
Primary School
K-6
Wilton Primary School
Primary School
K-6
Corrimal High School
Co-Ed High School
7-12
Keira High School
Co-Ed High School
7-12
Picton High School
Co-Ed High School
7-12
Only intake zones which intersect with the official locality boundary of Balgownie are listed. Zones may only partially cover the suburb. Source: School intake zones for NSW government schools
Bus Services
Wollongong to Bellambi via Towradgi (Loop Service)
Premier Illawarra
3
Wollongong to Mount Pleasant (Loop Service)
Premier Illawarra
6
Wollongong to Bellambi (Loop Service)
Premier Illawarra
7
Wollongong to Bellambi via Balgownie (Loop Service)
Premier Illawarra
8
Only routes with a boarding point within the official locality boundaries are listed. Source: TfNSW Timetables

Properties in Balgownie

2/10 Kembla Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie2/10 Kembla Street
3
1
2
Sold $1,000,000
21 Howson Place, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie21 Howson Place
3
2
2
Sold $1,000,000
17/6 Kembla Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie17/6 Kembla Street
3
2
1
Sold $742,000
10 Jolliffe Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie10 Jolliffe Street
4
2
2
Sold $960,000
45 Sherwood Drive, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie45 Sherwood Drive
5
3
3
Sold $1,120,000
1 Chalmers Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie1 Chalmers Street
3
2
2
Sold $830,000
2/35 Russell Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie2/35 Russell Street
3
2
2
Sold $620,000
6 Arvenis Crescent, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie6 Arvenis Crescent
3
1
2
Sold $825,000
36 Margaret Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie36 Margaret Street
4
2
2
Sold Contact agent
4 Margaret Street, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie4 Margaret Street
House
Sold Contact agent
12 Hutchinson Drive, Balgownie Sold by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie12 Hutchinson Drive
4
2
3
Sold Contact agent
17/6 Kembla Street, Balgownie For Sale by Laurence Morgan Real Estate
Balgownie17/6 Kembla Street
3
2
1
For Sale Guide $900,000
17/6 Kembla Street Balgownie
3 2 1
For Sale Guide $900,000
21 George Avenue Bulli
3 1 1
Sold $1,655,000
8 Craig Mor Way Keiraville
3 2 4
Sold $2,780,000
10 Jolliffe Street Balgownie
4 2 2
Sold $960,000
6 Arvenis Crescent Balgownie
3 1 2
Sold $825,000
21 Howson Place Balgownie
3 2 2
Sold $1,000,000
2/10 Kembla Street Balgownie
3 1 2
Sold $1,000,000
17/6 Kembla Street Balgownie
3 2 1
Sold $742,000
45 Sherwood Drive Balgownie
5 3 3
Sold $1,120,000
1 Chalmers Street Balgownie
3 2 2
Sold $830,000
Balgownie Public School
Public Primary
Pri