Northbridge took its name from its location, north of a sandstone suspension bridge built in 1892. The bridge was constructed by a team of land developers at a cost of A£42,000 and originally known as North Sydney Bridge. The engineer responsible for the construction was J. E. Coyle and the style was Federation Gothic, with medieval motifs as "unexpected embellishments". It has been known as the Northbridge and Cammeray Suspension Bridge but is now called the Long Gully Bridge. The land where the suspension bridge was built belonged to William Twemlow, a Sydney jeweller. In 1868 he purchased the land extending from Fig Tree Point to the head of Long Bay,. He initially regarded the land as valueless but changed his mind when he made a handsome profit by selling some of it to an English syndicate who built the suspension bridge. Twemlow decided to build a two storey home called The Hermitage, on Fig Tree Point, from sandstone quarried on the estate, which took a year to cut. As this was the first house built in this locality, transport was a problem and Twemlow had to sail through The Spit and around Middle Head to Circular Quay, from where he walked to his shop at Sydney Arcade. Northbridge Post Office opened on 25 November 1920.
Commercial area
Northbridge Plaza is a shopping centre owned by AMP Capital. It is located on the corner of Eastern Valley Way and Sailors Bay Road, and it features a Woolworths supermarket, banks, groceries, a butchery, a bakery, a chemist, and a range of specialty shops. Northbridge is also home to several cafes and wine stores, including those at Bond's Corner. Bond's Corner is a heritage listed building.
Transport
Bus routes 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209 from Wynyard, in the Sydney CBD, travel through Northbridge. A bus stop is located at the major intersection between Strathallen Avenue and Sailors Bay Road. At the 2011 census, 22% of employed people travelled to work on public transport and 52% by car.
Community
is a non-profit community organisation that has been representing the residents of Northbridge since . Today, the NPA’s activities remain focused on preserving our open space and family-friendly facilities. The newsletter of the NPA is named and is published quarterly and delivered free to all residents, by a voluntary team.
Churches
, previously a Methodist church.
Schools
Northbridge Public School: Northbridge's government primary school, 'committed to the provision of the highest quality education'. Founded in 1923, the school has a population of over 500, and has hosted events of national significance including the launch of the "Australian of the Year Awards" 2003 and a helicopter visit from the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan in 2005.
St Philip Neri School: the suburb's Catholic school, part of the Broken Bay Diocese. The school is on the same site as the Catholic Church.
Northbridge has a vantage point over Middle Harbour with the harbourside parks all offering great views.
Elizabeth Park
Clive Park : with tables, harbour views, barbecue facilities, swings, and bathroom facilities.
Hallstrom Point Park
John Roche Playground : playground, junior bike track
Tunks Park : barbecues, playing fields, boat ramp, gym equipment, playground, bush tracks, extensive parking.
Warners Park : shelters, playground, bowling club, parking
Northbridge Bike Skills Track : A small bike track with two jump lines and a large berm.
Northbridge features an 18-hole harbour view golf course, soccer club, sailing club, marina, salt water baths, scout hall, girl guides, tennis courts, parks, ovals, local reserves and bike track. The Bond's Corner bike track was designed and created by a group of friends who believed Northbridge needed an area that appealed to the increasing bike riding population of the town. The nearby Willoughby Leisure Centre is easily accessible through Small Street or a nearby track.
Clubs and societies
Norths Pirates Junior Rugby Union Club is the local village Rugby Club, the former Club being known as Cambridge Bay. This Club taking its name from Northbridge, Cammeray and Neutral Bay. The Pirates home ground is located at Tunks Park which is below the famous bridge.
Northbridge Sailing Club faces Middle Harbour and can be accessed through Minimbah Road. Partnered with Seaforth Sailing Club, races are held on Sundays. The club offers boat storage, a canteen and a launching pontoon.
Northbridge Cricket Club founded in 1919, is the oldest surviving cricket club in the Northern Suburbs Cricket Association. Fielding 6 teams in 2017-18 across a number of grades and caters for players of various abilities, with the emphasis on competition, participation and enjoyment. NCC has raised a potential player base of 150 people who regularly play cricket for the club. Off the field the club has an active social calendar and regularly hold social events for all the family. In 2018/19 the club celebrated its centenary season.
Northbridge Football Club
Northbridge Netball Club
Demographics
As of the 2016 census, the suburb of Northbridge recorded a population of 6,347. Of these:
The median age was 42 years, compared to the national median of 38 years, children aged under 15 years made up 22.4% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 18.4% of the population.
More than two-thirds were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 5.3%, China 3.0%, Hong Kong 1.9%, Japan 1.9% and New Zealand 1.8%.
78.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 3.6%, Cantonese 3.4% and Japanese 2.2%.
The most common responses for religion were No Religion 29.4%, Catholic 28.3% and Anglican 19.2%.
The median household weekly income was $3,344, more than double the national median of $1,486.
Of occupied private dwellings in Northbridge 76.6% were separate houses, 14.2% were flats or apartments and 8.3% were semi-detached. The average household size was 3 people.
