Turramurra, New South Wales

Turramurra is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Turramurra is located 17 km north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. North Turramurra and South Turramurra are separate suburbs.

History
Turramurra is an Aboriginal word meaning high hill.

Early European settlers referred to the area as Eastern Road. The name Turramurra was adopted when the railway station was built in 1890. One of the early local landmarks was Ingleholme, a two-storey Federation home in Boomerang Street. It was designed by John Sulman (1849–1934) as his own home and built circa 1896. The house was part of the Presbyterian Ladies College (now the Pymble Ladies' College) until 1977 and is now on the Register of the National Estate. It is notable as an example of John Sulman's style. The first post office opened in 1890. The Hillview estate situated on Boyd street is another site marked for heritage listing. Conversely, a more humble landmark is St Andrew's in Kissing Point Road, which is an example of the Federation Carpenter Gothic style.

Transport
The Pacific Highway (Metroad 1) is a major arterial road in Turramurra. Turramurra railway station is on the North Shore railway line of the CityRail network. Shorelink buses run services from the railway station to local residential areas.

Commercial area
The largest commercial area in Turramurra is located along the Pacific Highway and Rohini Street, beside Turramurra railway station. This shopping precinct includes real-estate agents, fruit-markets, banks, bakeries and a petrol station. There are two supermarkets in this vicinity. Franklins is located in Turramurra Plaza with other shops, such as shoe-repairs, a fruit shop and a newsagent. A Coles supermarket is located behind Turramurra Station, on Ray Street, near the public library. There are plans to redevelop the area in and around the town centre of Turramurra, which involves five storey apartments and upgrading the commercial area. .

Princes Street shops are located in East Turramurra, on the corner of Princes Street and Bannockburn Road, near to Pymble Public School. Princes Street shops include a veterinary hospital, gift shop, delicatessen, butcher and grocer. Many of the Princes Street shops are award winners and the strip is noted for its calm, friendly atmosphere - and easy parking.

There are shops at South Turramurra on Kissing Point Road including a newsagent, bakery, post office, BP petrol station and other services.

There is also a shopping village in North Turramurra on Bobbin Head Road which has an IGA supermarket, bakery, post office, newsagent and other facilities.



Geography
Turramurra is a hilly suburb approximately 170 metres above sea level. On the south-eastern boundary, bordering with Pymble is Sheldon Forest, which has some of the best preserved examples of blue gums and turpentine high forest. Turramurra Public School is in Turramurra

North Turramurra is the area north of Burns Road. Bobbin Head Road runs in a north-south direction through North Turramurra and then into the Ku-ring-gai National Park. The North Turramurra shops are located next to North Turramurra Public School. Further north are Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School.

South Turramurra is the area south of the Commenarra Parkway and is centred around Kissing Point Road. South Turramurra is bordered by Lane Cove National Park start of the Great North Walk. Turramurra High School is in South Turramurra.

East Turramurra is an unofficial urban locality of Turramurra. It is situated in the area of Turramurra east of Bobbin Head Road. It has a small shopping area called Princes Street Shops.

Sport and recreation
Ku-ring-gai Council has several sporting fields in the area, including a large tennis and netball facility at the end of Canoon Road and Kent Oval which has children's play equipment and tennis courts. Tennis courts and a basketball court are located at Hamilton Park. Irish Town Grove is a pleasant park located behind Princes Street shops in East Turramurra.

Comenarra Park on the Comenarra Parkway has cricket and a soccer field. It also has bushwalking tracks leading into the Lane Cove National Park.

Notable residents

 * 20th century Australian painter Grace Cossington Smith lived in Ku-ring-gai Avenue, Turramurra for most of her life.
 * Governor-General of Australia John Kerr lived on the corner of Kissing Point Road and Catalpa Crescent for part of his life.
 * Leader of the New Guard Eric Campbell lived at Boongala, 28 Ku-ring-gai Avenue for some time.
 * Frank Riethmuller, the German–Australian rose-breeder, boarded for seven years at "Wychwood" in Ku-Ring-Gai Avenue, then in 1937 made a house and garden containing many original roses at 21 Eastern Road till he died in 1965.
 * Premier of New South Wales, 1986–1988, Barrie Unsworth lived in Geoffrey Street for some time.
 * Gretel Killeen, host of Big Brother Australia and author was born in the suburb and spent some of her childhood at 24 Fairlawn Avenue.
 * Tony Roche, former coach of world number-one tennis player, Roger Federer.
 * Chris Lilley, actor and comedian (Summer Heights High) grew up there.
 * Kamahl, singer
 * Emma Hamilton, singer
 * Shane Gould, great Australian swimmer, attended Turramurra High School.
 * Ken Rosewall, tennis great, became a resident in 1960.
 * George Szekeres, mathematician.
 * Brett Beyer, Olympic sailing coach.