Happy TravellerWelcome to Granville, a vibrant suburb located in western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. With a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century, Granville has evolved into a bustling hub of residential, commercial, and industrial developments. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a sports enthusiast, Granville has something to offer for everyone. Let’s explore some of the top attractions and activities in this charming suburb.
History:
Granville was originally known as Parramatta Junction, named after the final stop of the first railway line in New South Wales. The area developed rapidly, attracting speculators and local industries. In the early days of European settlement, timber was harvested to fuel the steam engines in Sydney and Parramatta. By the 1860s, the supply of timber was exhausted, and the area transitioned to dairy farming. In 1880, the name was changed to Granville in honor of the British Foreign Secretary, the Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville. Granville has a rich history, and visitors can explore the many heritage-listed sites, including Granville Town Hall and Crest Theatre.
Buildings and Places of Interest:
Granville has a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial developments. The commercial and residential developments are mostly around Granville railway station and Parramatta Road. Granville is primarily dominated by freestanding weatherboard, fibro, and unrendered brick buildings. The area is no longer exactly typical quarter-acre block territory, but 500 to 600 m2 (0.12 to 0.15 acres) blocks are reasonably common. Terraced houses are rare, but increasing in number. Apartment blocks, generally three to four storeys in height, are also becoming more common in the vicinity of the railway station. Some of the buildings that deserve attention are Granville Town Hall, The Royal Hotel, Briannas function center building, St. Marks Anglican Church, St. Aphanasius Church, and The White Palace in South Street. The intersecting circles of Granville RSL Sub-Branch Building serves as an interesting example of modern architecture.
Transportation:
Granville is well-connected to the rest of Sydney via trains, buses, and roads. Granville railway station is a major station on the T1 Northern and Western Lines and T2 Inner West & Leppington Line of the Sydney Trains network, served by services on those lines. Granville railway station is located on the Main Suburban line. Granville’s bus interchange, as well as a car park, are located adjacent to its train station. Bike racks and lockers are located nearby. Taxi ranks can be found just south of the train station. Granville is serviced by Transdev NSW and features a newly built bus interchange. Transdev NSW operates three bus routes via Granville railway station: 906: Parramatta station to Fairfield station M91: Parramatta station to Hurstville S2: to Sefton. Granville station is served by one NightRide (Night Bus) route: N60: Fairfield station to Town Hall station. Parramatta Road has always been an important thoroughfare for Sydney from its earliest days. From Parramatta, the major western road for the state is the Great Western Highway. The M4 Western Motorway, running parallel to the Great Western Highway, has taken much of the traffic away from these roads, with entrance and exit ramps close to Parramatta.
Education:
Granville has a major college of Technical and Further Education, which is part of the South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE. Schools include Granville Boys High School, Delany College, Granville Public School, Granville East Public School, Blaxcell Street Public School, and Holy Family Catholic School. The suburb is also home to a Cumberland Council branch library.
Culture:
Granville boasts a rich cultural scene, with a variety of entertainment and sports options. The suburb has four pubs, including The Royal Hotel and the Granville Hotel. Granville is also home to a sub-branch club of the RSL, known as Granville Diggers. Attractions include live music, bingo, karaoke, and more. Granville has an Olympic size pool and a football facility. Historic Garside Park is home to State Super League and Super Youth League club, Granville Rage. Sydney Speedway is a 460 meters (500 yards) dirt track speedway which opened in 1977 at the old Granville Showground as the Parramatta Speedway. The clay surface caters mainly to Sprintcars and has been home to some of Australia’s greatest drivers, including ten times Australian Sprintcar Champion Garry Rush, and multiple title holders George Tatnell, his son Brooke Tatnell, and Max Dumesny. The speedway is also the only venue not in North or Central America to host a round of the famous World of Outlaws sprint car series.
Demographics:
Granville is a diverse suburb, with a mix of residents from different cultural backgrounds. According to the 2016 census, the population of Granville was 15,332. More than half of the people were born outside of Australia, with the top countries of birth being India, China, Nepal, Lebanon, and the Philippines. For religious affiliation, the top responses were Catholic, Islam, Hinduism, and No Religion.
Conclusion:
Granville is a charming suburb with a rich history, vibrant culture, and a variety of attractions and activities. Whether you’re interested in exploring the heritage-listed sites, trying out the local cuisine, or enjoying the sports and entertainment options, Granville has something to offer for everyone. So why not plan a visit to this hidden gem and discover the many treasures of Granville for yourself?
