Albion Park, New South Wales

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Albion Park Illawarra,  New South Wales, Australia
An aerial picture of the suburb
Population:	11,261
Postcode:	2527
Coordinates:	34°34′S 150°48′E
Location:	104 km (65 mi) south of Sydney 18 km (11 mi) south of Wollongong
LGA:	City of Shellharbour
State District:	Kiama, Shellharbour
Federal Division:	Whitlam
Suburbs around Albion Park: North Macquarie Calderwood Albion Park Rail Tullimbar Albion Park Croom Yellow Rock Curramore Croom

Tully Sugar Mill No.6 at Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Albion Park Rail

Albion Park is a suburb situated in the Macquarie Valley in the City of Shellharbour, which is in turn one of the three local government areas that comprise the Wollongong Metropolitan Area, New South Wales, Australia. Although it is surrounded by a 'green belt' of farms, Albion Park has a population of approximately 11,261 and continues to expand by a rate of 12.5% per year.

The Illawarra escarpment is to the west, Dapto is to the north, Jamberoo is to the south and Shellharbour is to the east.

History

The area around Albion Park was cleared by cedar cutters, and they were quickly followed by graziers who recognised the potential of this well-watered area. The arrival of the railway line in 1887, and the completion of the road through Macquarie Pass to the Southern Highlands hastened the town’s growth.

Etymology

The term "Albion", is an ancient name of Great Britain. The name was given by the original land grant owner around 1815.

Infrastructure

Trains

In order to avoid the highest parts of the ridge between Albion Park and Minnamurra, the railway needed to keep closer to the shore of Lake Illawarra. After the opening of Albion Park railway station two km to the east in 1887, a new town began to develop next to it, now known as Albion Park Rail.

Roads

The Illawarra Highway runs through Albion Park and joins the Princes Highway just north of the suburb. This road brings many people through the region. Albion Park is also the most direct link between Jamberoo Action Park and Sydney via the Princes Motorway and thus is directly on the route for those travelling south.

Education

There are currently 3 Primary Schools and 3 High Schools in Albion Park:

• Albion Park Public School
• Albion Park High School
• Mount Terry Public School
• St. Joseph's Catholic School, Albion Park
• St. Paul's Catholic Primary School, Albion Park
• Illawarra Christian School (Tongarra Campus)

Recreation

Albion Park is home to the Shellharbour Regional Sporting Complex, which consists of two all-weather hockey fields, several football (rugby league) fields, a multi-purpose indoor basketball stadium, a turf cricket / AFL field, an athletics field, a BMX track, a remote control car racing track, and several tennis courts. A cycleway also courses its way through the Sporting Complex and links it to a polo field and a complex of soccer fields. Albion Park is also home to a Shellharbour Council Swimming Pool, which is open during the summer months and now costs a fee of $1.00 entry, to a pool paid for by the members of the town.

Clubs and pubs

Albion Park is home to three clubs where people go to eat and drink. They include:

• Albion Park Hotel
• Albion Park RSL
• Albion Park Bowls and Recreation Club

Sport

Albion Park is also home to various sporting teams such as:

• Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles
• Albion Park Hockey Club
• Albion Park Bowls and Recreation Club
• Albion Park Cricket Club
• Albion Park White Eagles
• Albion Park Crows Junior AFL Club

Museums

Albion Park has the Tongarra Museum, which showcases the history of the region, and the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Museum located at the Illawarra Regional Airport.

Commercial area

There is a small Vicinity Centres shopping complex in Albion Park. In 2009, the local Council started a program to revitalize the town centre and it has attracted more tourists to the town.