Balmoral, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = locality
name = Balmoral
city = Sydney
state = nsw


caption = Balmoral Beach, showing the fig trees and conservation area promenade in the foreground, and part of the Balmoral slopes residential area in the background.
lga =Municipality of Mosman
postcode = 2088
near-nw = The Spit
near-n =
near-ne =
near-w =
near-e =
near-sw = Spit Junction
near-s =
near-se = Georges Heights
dist1 = 8
dir1 = north-east
location1= Sydney CBD

Balmoral is an urban locality in the suburb of Mosman in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Balmoral is located in the local government area of the Municipality of Mosman and is part of the Lower North Shore. [Gregory's Sydney Street Directory, Gregory's Publishing Company, 2007]

The locality is mostly known for its beach, officially divided into Balmoral and Edwards Beaches. Expensive residential real estate on the surrounding “Balmoral Slopes” benefits from the views and beach proximity. The naval depot HMAS Penguin is situated at the eastern end of Balmoral Beach. It houses a naval hospital and is accessed from Middle Head Road.

Beaches

Balmoral features Balmoral and Edwards Beaches, both of which are separated by the outcrop of Rocky Point. Both beaches are usually referred to as simply Balmoral. The locality has views across the entrance to Middle Harbour to North Head, Manly, and Clontarf. The harbour beaches face north east and is sheltered from ocean swell by Middle Head. The entire beach is listed on the Register of the National Estate as the 'Balmoral Beach Conservation Area'. [The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981] The conservation area includes the promenade, the esplanade, the Rotunda and the Bathers' Pavilion, which date back to the 1930s.

Recreation

A number of eateries are situated along The Esplanade, the main thoroughfare along the beach, ranging from take away to restaurant dining. The Balmoral Rotunda is the home of Shakespeare By The Sea a summer outdoor event. Other notable events include the annual Mudgee Wine Festival. The Rotunda and Rocky Point Island are also popular for wedding ceremonies and photographs.

Organisations and facilities include Balmoral Oval, a substantial netted swimming area (Balmoral Baths), Balmoral Sailing Club, a sea scout troop, and two swimming clubs.

History

Balmoral is named after Balmoral Castle, the large estate house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland known as Royal Deeside and a favourite summer royal residence. [ "The Book of Sydney Suburbs", Frances Pollen, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia ISBN 0-207-14495-8, page 16 ] The Star Amphitheatre, an open air temple constructed by the Theosophical Society-related group, was built in 1923-1924. Intended as a platform for lectures by the expected 'World Teacher', widely believed at the time to be Jiddu Krishnamurti, it was demolished in 1951, and its foundations used for an apartment building that still stands on the site.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://balmoralbeach.visitnsw.com/HolidayLocation/TNSW500165CR.htm Visit NSW - Balmoral Beach]