Camperdown is an inner western suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Camperdown is located 4 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the Inner West region. Camperdown lies across the local government areas of the City of Sydney and Marrickville Council.
Camperdown is a heavily populated suburb and is home to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the University of Sydney and the historic Camperdown Cemetery. It was also once home to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, which was relocated to be next to Westmead Hospital in Sydney's west. The hospital buildings and grounds have been redeveloped into apartment complexes.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
RPA Albert Pavilion
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
History
Camperdown takes its name from the Battle of Camperdown (or Camperduin in Dutch). It was named by Governor William Bligh who received a grant of 240 acres (1 km²) of land covering present day Camperdown and parts of Newtown. The land passed to Bligh's son-in-law Maurice O'Connell, commander of the 73rd Regiment, later Sir Maurice, when Bligh returned to England. Camperdown was established as a residential and farming area in the early 19th century.
In 1827, a racecourse was opened on land where the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital now stands. The University of Sydney was incorporated in 1850 and its first building were designed by Edmund Blacket (1817–1883). In 1859, Blacket's Great Hall was opened at the university.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census of Population, there were 7,866 residents in Camperdown. In Camperdown, 57.6% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were England 4.9%, New Zealand 3.1%, China 3.1%, United States of America 1.3% and Malaysia 1.2%. In Camperdown 71.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 3.6%, Cantonese 2.1%, Spanish 1.1%, Italian 0.9% and Thai 0.9%. The most common responses for religion in Camperdown were No Religion 40.2%, Catholic 18.8%, Anglican 11.3%, Buddhism 3.9% and Eastern Orthodox 1.8%.
Education
A large part of Camperdown is taken up by the University of Sydney and the residential colleges within the university. These colleges include: St John's College, St Andrew's College, St Paul's College, Sancta Sophia College, Wesley College and The Women's College.
Main Quadrangle, University of Sydney
St Andrew's College, University of Sydney
St John's College, University of Sydney
The Women's College, University of Sydney
Houses
In common with neighbouring inner city suburbs such as Newtown and Enmore, Camperdown has large areas of Victorian terraced housing, including many examples of single storey terraces. There are several examples of semi-detached houses which became popular around the time of Australia's Federation at the turn of the 20th century. With the advent of gentrification, from the late 20th century, modern infill development now tends to be sympathetic with the traditional Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes.
Modest terraced homes
Weatherboard terraces
Former corner store
Infill