Did You Know: Randwick History
From Aboriginal heritage and market gardens to Royal Randwick, Coogee’s shark murder and the origins of The Spot
Every suburb has a story (and Randwick has plenty). From ancient Aboriginal connections and colonial estates to world-famous racecourses, giant seaside attractions and even being the literal birthplace of Australia, did you know that? The 2031 postcode has seen more than its fair share of fascinating moments.
Welcome to Did You Know, a new recurring series uncovering Randwick’s most fascinating facts, forgotten stories, curious characters and hidden local knowledge that have shaped the Randwick we know and love today.
1. Ancient Beginnings
Long before Randwick was home to cafés, coastal walks and apartment buildings, this land was cared for by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nation.
The coastline, waterways and bushland provided places for gathering, fishing, ceremony and connection to Country for thousands of years. This deep Aboriginal history remains an important part of Randwick’s story today.
2. The Name Randwick
Ever wondered where Randwick got its name?
English settler Simeon Henry Pearce named the suburb after his birthplace — Randwick, a village in Gloucestershire, England. After arriving in Sydney in 1842, Pearce purchased land in the area and named his estate after the place he had left behind.
The name stuck, and a small rural settlement became the Randwick we know today.
3. A Council Is Born
Randwick officially became a municipality on 22 February 1859, making it one of the oldest local government areas in New South Wales.
At the time, the area looked very different — think farms, market gardens and country estates rather than busy streets and beachside cafés. The new council helped guide Randwick’s transformation from rural outskirts into a thriving Sydney suburb.
4. Randwick’s First Mayor
When Randwick Municipality was established in 1859, Simeon Henry Pearce became the suburb’s first mayor.
A businessman, landowner and early community leader, Pearce played a major role in advocating for roads, infrastructure and development - helping shape the foundations of modern Randwick.
5. Sydney’s Hidden Water Supply
Today, Centennial Park is where Sydneysiders go for picnics, walks and weekend bike rides, but almost 200 years ago, it played a much more practical role - supplying Sydney’s drinking water.
The area’s Lachlan Swamps provided fresh water for the growing colony, with engineer John Busby creating Busby’s Bore in the 1830s. The underground tunnel carried water into Sydney, and parts of it still exist today.
6. Garden District
Before Randwick became one of Sydney’s most desirable suburbs, much of the area was covered in market gardens.
Local growers produced fruit and vegetables that helped feed Sydney’s growing population throughout the 1800s. The suburb’s journey from farmland to fashionable neighbourhood was a significant transformation.
7. The Road To La Perouse
Before traffic jams and light rail, Randwick was part of an important route connecting Sydney to La Perouse and Botany Bay.
A main road through the area helped open up Sydney’s southern coastline and made Randwick an important link between the city and the wider region.
8. Racing Royalty
Randwick and racing have been inseparable for almost 200 years.
Horse racing began in the area in the 1830s, with Royal Randwick Racecourse officially opening in 1860. The racecourse attracted trainers, jockeys and racing families, helping shape the suburb’s identity - and making the name “Randwick” famous around the country.
9. Blenheim House
Hidden within modern Randwick is a reminder of its colonial past.
Built in the 1840s, Blenheim House is one of the suburb’s oldest surviving homes. Originally built for Simeon Henry Pearce’s family, the sandstone residence offers a glimpse into a time when Randwick was filled with grand estates, gardens and open land.
10. Coogee’s Aquarium
A popular tourist attraction and key to solving a murder.
In the late 1800s, the Coogee Aquarium and Swimming Baths was one of Sydney’s most popular seaside attractions, featuring marine animals including sharks and seals. It also played a major role in the infamous “shark arm murder” case.
11. Federation History
Randwick played a small but significant role in one of Australia’s biggest moments.
On 1 January 1901, more than 60,000 people gathered at Centennial Park for the proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia — officially marking the federation of the country.
12. The Spot’s Story
Today, The Spot is known for restaurants, cafés and community life — but its name has a much simpler beginning.
The area is believed to have been named after The Spot Cash Store, a local general store that operated there in the early 1900s. Over time, locals started using “The Spot” to describe the neighbourhood, and the name stayed.
More To Discover
This is just the beginning of our journey through Randwick’s past. From forgotten landmarks and unusual characters to local legends and hidden gems, there are countless stories waiting to be uncovered.
Next issue, Local Knowledge continues with Did You Know: Randwick Curiosities — exploring the strange, surprising and little-known facts that make our neighbourhood so unique.
