Collaroy, New South Wales

Collaroy is a suburb in northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Collaroy is located 22 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Warringah Council and part of the Northern Beaches region. Collaroy Plateau is a locality in the western part of the suburb.

History
This area was originally part of Narrabeen but was renamed after the collier S.S. Collaroy ran aground on the beach in 1881 during a storm. It was refloated and later wrecked on the Californian coast in 1889. Most of Collaroy’s development has occurred since the mid twentieth century.

Landmarks
Collaroy’s surf beach joins Narrabeen Beach at Wetherill Street making one continuous 3.4 km surf beach. Four Surf Lifesaving Clubs provide swimming supervision/surf rescue services (North Narrabeen SLC, Narrabeen SLC, South Narrabeen SLC, and Collaroy SLC). Collaroy Beach is patrolled by professional lifeguards 7 days a week between September and April and is supplemented by SLSC Volunteers on the weekends.

Collaroy is home to one of the Salvation Army's largest conference and outdoor education centres in the area. The centre caters for many conferences of the Salvation Army as well as other churches, schools, community groups and businesses. It can cater for up to 440 people and has fully catered camp programs.

Commercial area
Collaroy's shopping precinct is centred along Pittwater Road, which runs north-south through the suburb. Small retail businesses include cafes, restaurants, takeaway bars, a pharmacy, several hairdressers, a day spa, an outstanding YHA youth hostel, Real Estate agents, the Collaroy Services club (recently re-named "The Beach Club") and the Surf Rock Hotel.

Transport
Collaroy's public transport consists of buses operated by Sydney Buses south through to the CBD and Manly, and north to the suburbs from Narrabeen to Palm Beach.

Governance
Collaroy is in the federal seat of Mackellar The seat is currently held by Bronwyn Bishop of the Liberal Party. The seat has been held continuously by the Liberal Party since its creation in 1949.

Collaroy is in the NSW state electorate of Wakehurst, a seat held by Brad Hazzard of the Liberal Party.

Wildlife
Wildlife frequenting Collaroy includes sea eagles, pelicans, terns, ducks and yellow-crested cockatoos. Fur seals, dolphins and English white whales are regularly spotted on the beaches during summer which coincides with a severe outbreak of crabs on the beach.