Baulkham Hills
- For the state electoral district, see Electoral district of Baulkham Hills.
Baulkham Hills is a suburb in the north-west of Sydney, Australia. It is located approximately 25 kilometres north west of the central business district. Baulkham Hills is situated in the west ward of Baulkham Hills Shire. It is bordered by Bella Vista, Kellyville, Castle Hill, West Pennant Hills, North Rocks and Northmead. Its postcode is 2153.
History
The first settler in the Baulkham Hills Shire was William Joyce. In 1794, he was given a grant of 30 acres (121,000 m²) in what became Baulkham Hills. The name Baulkham Hills was given to the area by Andrew McDougall, a settler from Buckholm Hills, County of Roxburgh, Scotland. The name, which reminded McDougall of his homeland, was officially recognised in 1902.
Transport
Baulkham Hills is primarily accessible by road. The intersection known as Baulkham Hills Junction is the intersection of several major roads: Seven Hills Road, Old Northern Road and Windsor Road. The fastest route from the CBD is via the M2 motorway, exiting at Windsor Road.
As for public transport, Baulkham Hills is serviced by the Westbus bus company, which provided services to the nearby hubs of Castle Hill, Parramatta, and frequent services to the CBD.
In the past, there was a railway link connecting the suburb to Parramatta (Railway Street near Baulkham Hills Junction is a witness to this), but it was closed down in 1930 due to traffic problems on Windsor road and large financial losses. Land owned by the rail authority was sold to the Hills Bowling Club in the mid 1970s to build their two front bowling greens.
There is no train station at Baulkham Hills, the closest train station being at Seven Hills.
Services
Baulkham Hills has a minor shopping centre owned by Stockland, located on Windsor Road and containing two grocery stores (Woolworths, Aldi). However, as of September 2006, the centre is undergoing redevelopment, introducing a Coles supermarket and significantly expanding the floor space of the centre.
The Hills Private Hospital on Windsor Road (near cnr Merinda Rd) includes Emergency for private patients and has a very large Maternity Section.
There are also many small businesses in the area.
Bushland
Baulkham Hills includes a number of beautiful reserves, such as the Bidjigal Reserve (previously known as Excelsior Reserve), in which have been recorded many native fauna in recent years, including Koala, Swamp Wallaby, Echidna, and Eastern Water Dragon. Smaller reserves include the Sophia Doyle reserve and the Crestwood Reserve, which are habitat to Brushtail and Ringtail Possum, and a wide range of birds and lizards.
The Baulkham Hills Shire Bushland Conservation Committee is a voluntary committee of Council that assists with the management of the Shire's bushland.
Events
The annual Orange Blossom Festival is held in Baulkham Hills Shire each September. Some of the key events of the festival are:
- The Excellence in Youth Awards
- The Hills Cultural Festival
- Orange Blossom Festival Annual Art Awards Exhibition & Sale
- Crestwood Fair
- HYPE Festival
HYPE Festival is held every April during National Youth Week and September during the Orange Blossom festival and attracts large crowds of Youth each year. It has featured high-profile Australian acts such as Gerling and Irrelevant. Parkway Drive are headlining 2006's April festival. Also appearing is Glen McGrath (Not the cricketer). Glen is playing his highly acclaimed harmonised triangle and will be playing all your favourites.
Local Celebrities
- Poul Nielson - grew up in Baulkham Hills and found shortlived fame on Hey Dad! playing the Danish neighbour 'Magnus' and best friend of Nudge (played by Christopher Truswell)