{{for|the river in Victoria known as Killara|Darlot Creek}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = suburb | name = Killara | city = Sydney | state = NSW | image = 26 Springdale Road, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04) 01.jpg | local_map = yes | zoom = 12 | caption = Residential home, Springdale Road, Killara | alternative_location_map = Australia NSW metro Sydney | pushpin_map_caption = Location in metropolitan Sydney | coordinates = {{Coord|-33.76864|151.16347|format=dms|type:city_region:AU-NSW|display=title}} | lga = Ku-ring-gai Council | postcode = 2071 | est = 1821 | pop = 10,620 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes =<ref name="ABS">{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL12137|name=Killara (NSW)|accessdate=30 January 2024|quick=on}}</ref> | elevation = 120 | area = 4.87 |timezone=AEST|utc=+10| stategov = Davidson | fedgov = Bradfield | near-nw = Gordon | near-n = Gordon | near-ne = East Killara | near-w = West Pymble | near-e = East Lindfield | near-sw = Macquarie Park | near-s = Lindfield | near-se = Lindfield |timezone-dst=AEDT|utc-dst=+11| dist1 = 14 | dir1 = north-west | location1 = Sydney CBD }}
'''Killara''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ɪ|ˈ|l|ɑːr|ə}}) is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Killara is located {{convert|14|km|mi}} north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. East Killara is a separate suburb and West Killara is a locality within Killara.
== History == Killara is an Aboriginal word meaning ''permanent'' or ''always there''.<ref name = "The Book of Sydney Suburbs">''The Book of Sydney Suburbs'', Compiled by Frances Pollon, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia {{ISBN|0-207-14495-8}}, page 136</ref> The name of the suburb was chosen when the railway line opened in 1899. James George Edwards was a representative of the people who requested a station be built here. The suburb was established as a "Gentlemen's suburb", designed so that there would be no commercial ventures in the area. For this reason, the suburb has very few shops in the original development.<ref name = "The Book of Sydney Suburbs"/>
Killara Post Office opened on 7 November 1904.<ref name = "Post Office">{{Cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Phoenix Auctions | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=NSW&filter=*Killara* | access-date = 27 January 2021}}</ref>
Killara later became the home of the architect Harry Seidler, whose home—designed by him and his wife Penelope in the 1960s—can still be seen in Kalang Avenue. It is sometimes known as ''Killara House'' and sometimes as Harry and Penelope Seidler House. The couple moved into the house on Harry Seidler's birthday in 1967. The garden contains a sculpture by the Los Angeles sculptor Eric Orr. The house is heritage-listed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/heritage|title=Heritage|website=NSW Environment and Heritage|accessdate=9 June 2023}}</ref>
Marian Street Theatre played a significant role in the cultural life of the North Shore. The theatre is temporarily closed for renovation works since 2013, and a proposal was passed by the local council to redevelop the site into a multipurpose arts and cultural facility.<ref name=dictionary>{{cite web |title=''Marian Street Theatre ''|work=Dictionary of Sydney|url=https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/marian_street_theatre_community_theatre_and_northside_theatre|access-date= 16 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-10-30 |title=Curtain Set To Rise Again At Marian Street Theatre |url=https://kuringgailiving.com.au/marian-street-theatre/#:~:text=The%20Marian%20Street%20Theatre%20for%20Young%20People,%20continued%20at%20the,of%20community%20interest%20and%20action. |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Ku-ring-gai Living |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== Heritage listings == Killara has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: * 13 Kalang Avenue: Harry and Penelope Seidler House<ref name=nswshr-1793>{{cite NSW SHR|5049861|Harry and Penelope Seidler House|hr=01793|fn=EF14/4805; H06/170|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref> * 1 Werona Avenue: ''Woodlands'', Killara<ref name=nswshr-1762>{{cite NSW SHR|5049940|Woodlands|hr=01762|fn=H05/00109|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
== Transport == Killara is home to a train station that connects to the T1 and T9 lines for routes to Berowra via Gordon, City via Gordon on the T1 or routes through North Shore via City on the T9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transportnsw.info/stop?q=10101120#/ |title=Killara Station |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=transportnsw.info |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240130045349/https://transportnsw.info/stop?q=10101120%23/ |url-status=live |location=Culworth Ave, Killara}}</ref>
The Pacific Highway is the main road thoroughfare through Killara.
CDC NSW operates two bus routes through Killara:
* 556: Lindfield to East Killara<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lindfield to East Killara (Loop Service) |url=https://moovitapp.com/index/en-gb/public_transportation-line-556-Sydney-442-3751524-133979806-2 |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=moovitapp.com |archive-date=30 January 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130050138/https://moovitapp.com/index/en-gb/public_transportation-line-556-Sydney-442-3751524-133979806-2}}</ref>
* 565: Chatswood to Macquarie University via Roseville, Lindfield and Macquarie Park<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chatswood to Macquarie University |url=https://moovitapp.com/index/en-gb/public_transportation-line-565-Sydney-442-3751524-133979810-0 |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=moovitapp.com |url-status=live |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130050720/https://moovitapp.com/index/en-gb/public_transportation-line-565-Sydney-442-3751524-133979810-0}}</ref>
== Development == The Swain Gardens were donated to Ku-ring-gai Council by Mr Swain, a Sydney bookseller, in the 1920s, and are today maintained by the council and volunteers. The gardens have been listed by the National Trust of Australia.{{cn|date=February 2024}}
=== Schools === Killara is served by two public primary schools, Killara Public School and Beaumont Road Public School.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/you-live-and-learn-20111111-1na0l.html |title=You live and learn |access-date=11 December 2011 |archive-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218233618/http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/you-live-and-learn-20111111-1na0l.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The suburb is also home to Killara High School, one of the highest performing non-selective government secondary school in New South Wales.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.killara-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/outstanding-hsc-results-for-killara-high-school-students-in-2011|title=Outstanding HSC Results for Killara High School Students}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/literacy-push-sends-results-through-roof-20101215-18yae.html|title=Literacy push sends results through roof | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=2010-12-16}}</ref> A short-lived private school in Killara, Abbotsholme College, counted two future prime ministers{{which|date=March 2024}} among its pupils.<ref>{{cite book|author=Tom Frame|author-link=Tom Frame (bishop)|title=The Life and Death of Harold Holt|publisher=Allen & Unwin|year=2005|page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Don Whitington|author-link=Don Whitington|title=Twelfth Man?|year=1972|publisher=The Jacaranda Press|page=144}}</ref>
{{gallery | width = 200 | height = 120 | File:Killara Greengate Hotel 2.jpg|Greengate Hotel, Pacific Highway | File:Killara Uniting Church, 9 Karranga Avenue, Killara, New South Wales, Australia (2010-12-04) 01.jpg|Killara Uniting Church designed by Carlyle Greenwell | File:St Martin's Anglican Church, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04) 03.jpg|St Martin's Anglican Church }}
Killara is also home to some child care centres, including Handprints Pre School and Child Care.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.handprints.nsw.edu.au/killara-early-learning-centre|title=Childcare & Preschool in Killara 2071|website=Handprints Early Learning Centres & Preschool|accessdate=9 June 2023}}</ref>
===Churches=== Churches in the suburb include St Martin's Anglican Church and Killara Uniting Church (formerly Killara Congregational Church) on Karranga Avenue.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
===Clubs=== Killara has recreational sport centres including Killara lawn tennis club<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://killaralawntennisclub.com.au/|title=Killara Lawn Tennis Club | Tennis North Shore Sydney|accessdate=9 June 2023}}</ref> and Killara golf club,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kgc.com.au/cms/ | title=Home }}</ref> which is ranked in the top 100 golf courses in Australia and picturesque views to the Blue Mountains has attracted golfers.
=== Commercial ===
Commercial developments are located along the Pacific Highway, including the Greengate Hotel,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greengatehotel.com.au/|title=Greengate Hotel – Heart of the North Shore|website=Greengate Hotel|accessdate=9 June 2023}}</ref> Beacon Lighting, Poolwerx, and Killara hotel. Residents usually travel to nearby suburbs of Gordon, Macquarie Park and Chatswood for regular shopping.
== Residential style == The majority of residential properties are built in the Federation and Californian Bungalow styles, although the suburb includes many other styles.
The Harry and Penelope Seidler House at 13 Kalang Avenue was designed by Harry and Penelope Seidler. The 1960s-era modern-design home, constructed with reinforced masonry walls, concrete floors and roof, rubble-stone retaining walls and fireplace, won the Wilkinson Award in 1967.
{{gallery | width = 200 | height = 120 | File:11 Arnold Street, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04).jpg|Federation house, Arnold Street | File:15 Northcote Avenue, Killara, New South Wales (2011-06-15).jpg|Federation bungalow, Northcote Avenue | File:40 Arnold Street, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04) 02.jpg|Arts and crafts house, Arnold Street | File:46 Arnold Street, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04) 02.jpg|Tudor revival house, Arnold Street | File:70 Stanhope Road, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04).jpg|Tudor revival house, Stanhope Road | File:75 Stanhope Road, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04).jpg|Neoclassical (post-war) house, Stanhope Road | File:73 Springdale Road, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04).jpg|Federation revival house, Springdale Road | File:5 Kylie Avenue, Killara, New South Wales (2011-06-15) 02.jpg|Contemporary home, Kylie Avenue | File:71 Arnold Street, Killara, New South Wales (2010-12-04).jpg|Modern house ({{circa|2005}}), Arnold Street | File:(1)Old English style house Killara-1.jpg|Old English house common within the area | File:(1)Seidler_house_Kalang_Avenue-3.jpg|The home of architect Harry Seidler in Kalang Avenue }}
== Politics == For federal elections, Killara lies in the electorate of Bradfield, currently represented by Nicolette Boele. For state elections, Killara falls under the state electoral district of Davidson. The member for Davidson is Matt Cross. In terms of local government, Killara is part of the Ku-ring-gai municipal council.
== Demographics == thumb|250px|Rosetta Avenue
In the 2021 Australian census, the total population of Killara was 10,620 people; 48.1 percent were male and 51.9 percent were female. 50.6% of people were born in Australia. The most common other countries of birth were China 13.8%, England 4.3%, Hong Kong 4.0%, South Korea 2.7% and India 2.2%. 56.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 17.3%, Cantonese 7.8%, Korean 3.4%, Hindi 1.1%, and Japanese 1.0%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 43.4%, Catholic 15.4% and Anglican 12.5%, Of persons aged 15 years and over, 57.4% were married, 29.0% never married, 5.5% widowed, 6.2% divorced, and 1.8% separated.<ref name=ABS />
The median weekly personal income was $1,117, compared with $805 nationally. The median weekly household income was $2,802, compared with $1,746 nationally. The median weekly family income was $3,294, compared with $2,120 nationally.<ref name=ABS />
At the 2021 census, 54.7% of occupied private dwellings were separate houses and 42.6% were flat or apartments. The average household size was 2.8 people.<ref name=ABS />
== Notable residents == {{More citations needed section|date=November 2025}} * John Alexander OAM MP- Tennis champion and former Federal Member for Bennelong * Robert Alan Crook – electrical engineer, owner of Alan Crook Electrical manufacturers * Kim Gamble – children's book illustrator and artist * Carlyle Greenwell – Architect, philanthropist and designer of Killara Uniting Church and many, now heritage listed, houses<ref>[http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1880514 21 Lorne Avenue, Killara] State Heritage Register</ref><ref>[http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1880629 5 Locksley Avenue, Killara] State Heritage Register</ref><ref>[http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1880568 8 Nyora Street, Killara] State Heritage Register</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070830120402/http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/docs/heritagecouncil/shrminutes2006june.pdf 7.4 Woodlands 1 Werona Avenue Killara] Heritage Council of NSW Meeting 7 June 2006 page 6</ref> * Peter Jackson – boxer, British Commonwealth and Heavyweight champion * David Koch, an Australian financial analyst, television presenter and host of Sunrise on the Seven Network * Elle Macpherson – grew up in Killara and also attended the local high school, Killara High School * Harry Messel – head of the School of Physics at Sydney University, Australian Atomic Energy Commission (1975-1981), Chancellor of Bond University (1992-1997) * Charles Scrivener – surveyor * Penelope Seidler – architect * Ethel Turner – author of ''Seven Little Australians'', lived on a large property now known as Kiamala Crescent
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Killara, New South Wales}}
* {{cite web | url = http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/killara | title = Killara | access-date = 27 September 2015 | author = Zeny Edwards and Joan Rowland | date = 2008 | work=Dictionary of Sydney}} <nowiki>[</nowiki>CC-By-SA<nowiki>]</nowiki> * {{cite web | url = http://dictionaryofsydney.org/organisation/marian_street_theatre | title = Marian Street Theatre, Community Theatre and Northside Theatre | access-date = 10 October 2015 | author = Ailsa McPherson | date = 2012 | work = Dictionary of Sydney | publisher = Dictionary of Sydney Trust}}
{{Sydney Ku-ring-gai suburbs}}
Category:Suburbs of Sydney Category:1821 establishments in Australia Category:Killara Category:Populated places established in 1821 Category:Lane Cove River