Killara

Killara and East Killara are two separate suburbs, even if not all delivery services can work that out. The difference between them is simply points on a compass and, unfortunately for some in East Killara, the ability for a delivery service to find you.

Killara was initially inhabited by the Kuringgai people who lived on the land until the convict timber-getting camp was established around 1805. Killara maintains its links to the Aboriginal inhabitants through its name which means “permanent or always there” which was chosen when the railway line opened in 1899.

Killara was considered a “gentlemen’s suburb” which led to middle and upper-middle-class families building grand homes in Federation and California Bungalow styles in the interwar years. With these beautiful homes, the Seidler House and the Marian Street Theatre, Killara is a culturally and architecturally significant suburb of Sydney.

Residential street with parked cars, sidewalk, white picket fence, and trees providing shade.
Historic brick building labeled Greengate Hotel, with arched windows and striped umbrellas, set against a cloudy blue sky.

Inside Killara

  • Killara is very much a tranquil family type lifestyle suburb. There is an air to Killara that reminds you how peaceful it is whilst being able to feel that it was once considered a long way to come for many Sydneysiders and would have been a holiday destination before the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built.

  • Killara has several nearby amenities, but most are in Lindfield, Gordon or even Chatswood. Killara is convenient despite not having many significant amenities technically within the suburb (unless you consider the Greengate Hotel to be a significant amenity).

  • Killara station provides easy access to the city but can be skipped on express trains. Buses also operate through Killara:

    • 556 loops between Killara and Lindfield to schools and shops.

    • 194 connects St Ives to the city passing through Killara.

    • 197 connects Mona Vale to Macquarie University passing through Killara.

    • 560 loops between Gordon and West Pymble passing through Killara.

  • Killara offers catchments to some of the best public schools in Sydney.

    For Primary School (K-6):

    • Killara Public School

    • Beaumont Road Public School

    For High School (7-12):

    • Killara High School

    Killara High School has long been popular with Jewish families as it offers Hebrew as an HSC subject.

  • The Greengate Hotel isn’t a hidden gem by any stretch of the imagination, but it is an absolute gem in the heart of Killara. It is almost 200 years old and is still a great place to hang out, have a meal, have some drinks or throw a party.

    Swain Gardens is also a nice place to visit for very different reasons with landscaped gardens, walking paths and picnic spots.

  • Killara is a family hub with slightly over 75% of homes being families. The other groups are predominantly single and couple households.

  • Killara is a natural beautiful environment with a rich history. The council aims to protect it with sustainability initiatives and careful planning around residential growth. There are bushfire and flood risk areas as should be expected but these should be managed and planned for rather than act as a deterrent.

  • Killara is beautiful. It is a lovely quiet place to live and provides a nice oasis outside of the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Killara still provides families with great places to live in a peaceful environment.