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.[2] 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 buildings were designed by Edmund Blacket (1817–1883). In 1859, Blacket's Great Hall was opened at the university.[3]
Heritage listings
Camperdown has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
At the 2021 census there were 9,381 people living in Camperdown.[8]
According to the 2016 census of population, there were 10,341 residents in Camperdown. In Camperdown, 52.4% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were China 9.3%, England 4.6%, New Zealand 2.6%, Malaysia 1.4% and United States of America 1.2%. 64.9% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 9.5% and Cantonese 2.4%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 51.2% and Catholic 14.8%.[9]
In common with neighboring 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.[10]
Victoria Park is located on the corner of Parramatta Road and City Road, adjacent to the University of Sydney.
Camperdown Park is surrounded by Mallett, Pidcock, Fowler and Australia Streets and includes several sports grounds and an urban farm.[11]
Transport
Roads
Parramatta Road (Great Western Highway) (A22) is a major transport artery between Sydney and Parramatta. It runs across the northern side of Camperdown. City Road (A36) is part of a major route to the southern suburbs of Sydney. It meets Parramatta Road and Broadway at a major intersection on the eastern tip of Camperdown. Both City Road and Parramatta Road had tram services until the late 1950s.
In popular culture
The suburb is mentioned in the song "Australia Street" by the band Sticky Fingers, featuring on their 2013 album Caress Your Soul.
