kids encyclopedia robot

Loftus, New South Wales facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Loftus
SydneyNew South Wales
AUS NSW Loftus Tram Museum DSC02716.png
Sydney Tramway Museum
Population 4,135 (2016 census)
Postcode(s) 2232
Elevation 104 m (341 ft)
Location
LGA(s) Sutherland Shire
State electorate(s) Heathcote
Federal Division(s) Hughes
Suburbs around Loftus:
Woronora Heights Woronora Sutherland
Lucas Heights Loftus Kirrawee
Engadine Yarrawarrah The Royal National Park
Loftus Reserve
Loftus Reserve

Loftus is a suburb, in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Loftus is 29 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Sutherland Shire.

History

Loftus was named after Lord Augustus William Frederick Spencer Loftus, governor of New South Wales between 1878 and 1885. The Illawarra railway line to Sutherland was completed in 1885. The next station south was Loftus Junction, which opened on 9 March 1886. The name was changed to Loftus ten years later and in 1979 the station moved to the present site.

The Tramway Museum at Loftus was created in 1950, in a large tram yard shed beside the rail tracks that ran across the Princes Highway into the Royal National Park. During the latter years of World War II this had been an army camp site, with the national park used as a training ground. The public school opened in January 1953. The official post office opened in July 1953 but closed in 1980.

In the 2011 census, Loftus recorded a population of 4,016 people people, according to the NSW local statistics, of which 50.1% were female and 49.9% male. The average age in Loftus was 39.

Transport

The Princes Highway runs along the eastern border. Loftus railway station is on the Sydney Trains Illawarra line and serves as an interchange for Transdev NSW bus services to the area.

Loftus is also home to the Sydney Tramway Museum (also known as the South Pacific Electric Railway), which operates the Royal National Park branch line that was constructed in 1886 and closed to suburban trains in June 1991. The service provided by the museum is a most popular means of access to the Royal National Park. The line runs from the museum to Royal National Park railway station.

Services

Loftus Rural Fire Service is situated opposite Loftus train station and protects the bush interface of Loftus, Yarrawarrah, Sutherland, Jannali, Como and the Royal National Park.

Sport and recreation

Loftus has various social and sporting clubs which include:

  • Loftus Yarrawarrah Rovers Football Club
  • Loftus Zircons Netball Club
  • 1st Loftus Scouts
  • West Shire Combined Venturer Unit
  • Loftus Underground Organisation (LUGOS)
  • Loftus Bandits
  • Pit Masters
  • Grommies
  • Sutherland Loftus United (Rugby League)

Notable residents

  • Adam Hills, comedian
  • Warren Brown, cartoonist

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Loftus (Australia) para niños

kids search engine
Loftus, New South Wales Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.