Neutral Bay is a suburb of New South Wales, located 1.5 kilometres north of Sydney CBD. This beach suburb is known for its tourism importance and historical significance. Due to its proximity to the CBD, it has become a major residential neighbourhood favoured by working professionals, families and students. Most dwellings include bungalows, townhouses and some modern high-rise buildings. It is surrounded by the regions of Cremorne Point (East), North Sydney (West), Cammeray (North), Cremorne (North) and Milsons Point (South). Neutral Harbour is located in the south of the suburb. Read here for more such interesting facts about Neutral Bay.
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Neutral Bay comes under the local government area of North Sydney Council.
The area that is now Neutral Bay was once the land of the Cammeraygal people.
It was originally called 'Wirra-birra'.
Neutral Bay was named by Governor Phillip, the first governor of NSW, after the bay on Sydney Harbour. He declared that all foreign (neutral) vessels would dock at this bay to prevent convicts in Sydney Cove from escaping on them.
Neutral Bay’s postcode is 2089, which it shares with the neighbouring suburb of Kurraba Point.
The suburb’s population, as of 2021, was 10,090.
The Warringah Expressway passes along the western boundary of Neutral Bay.
This harbourside suburb is known for its high-quality lifestyle, easy connectivity and modern amenities.
Military Road is the main road through Neutral Bay and connects it with the neighbouring suburbs of Cremorne and Mosman.
Neutral Bay Junction, on Military Road, is the main shopping district, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Neutral Bay was part of 700 acres of land bought by Captain John Piper in 1816. He sold it to Daniel Cooper in 1827.
Several residence houses in the Arts and Crafts architectural style were built by notable architects, such as Bertrand James Waterhouse and Peddle and Thorp, in the area during the 1900s. Many of these still remain today.
Neutral Bay was the base of the Royal Australian Navy's Submarine Service HMAS Platypus between 1967 and 1999 and was used as the RAN Torpedo Maintenance Establishment (RANTME) during World War II.
According to the 2021 census, the population of Neutral Bay was 10,090, of which almost 54% were female. Top ethnicities included English, Australian, Irish, Scottish and Chinese. The top countries of birth were Australia, England, New Zealand, China, India and South Africa. Catholic, Anglican and Buddhism were major religions. Besides English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish and Japanese were the top languages spoken by residents.
The suburb and community of Neutral Bay is highly influenced by Japanese culture, reflected in its Japanese cuisines offered by various authentic Japanese restaurants in the area.
Neutral Bay was home to May Gibbs, a famous English-born author and painter.
Neutral Bay is a popular tourist destination, with a diverse range of cafes, pubs, restaurants, outing and recreation centres, markets, parks, sports grounds and beaches scattered throughout the suburb.
Some popular tourist attractions in the suburb include Hayes Street Beach, Traffic Jam Galleries, Anderson Park and Forsyth Park.
Heritage-listed buildings in the region include Brent Knowle House–built in 1914 and designed by Bertrand James Waterhouse, The Cobbles–built in 1918 and designed by Peddle and Thorp, Ailsa–designed by Waterhouse and built in 1908, Keynsham, St Anne's, and Gundimaine House. Other popular heritage sites include Hastings (a former residence) and St John's Uniting Church and Pipe Organ.
The Oaks Hotel, named after an old oak tree still situated within its premises, is a popular local meeting point and social centre on the corner of Military Road and Ben Boyd Road. Opened in 1885, it features multiple restaurants, cafes, bars, function spaces and a beer garden.