Figtree is an established suburb of Wollongong located at the crossroads of the Princes Highway and The Avenue. It is perhaps the centre point of the region located mid-way, in both a north-south and east-west direction.
The suburb is built around the popular Figtree Grove (formerly Westfield) Shopping Centre which was first opened in 1965 and has been refurbished on several occasions. Adjacent to the centre is a park which contains sports facilities, a baby health centre and a small sculpture garden.
There is a small commercial district near this junction and another connected area of mainly food stores further north on the highway near the freeway entrance. There is also another commercial on the highway with a fast food shop, liquor store and video rental store at on the east side of the highway at the O’Briens Road junction.
Figtree has a hotel, an oval, many specialty stores, a dog park, a private hospital and several schools.
History of Figtree
The suburb is named after a giant fig tree(Moreton Bay fig) that once stood on the eastern side of the highway at the junction with O’Brien’s Road, a mountain pass used in early days of settlement built by subscription in 1821 before completion by convict labour of Mount Keira road. The Figtree was an important landmark providing earlier travelers with a marker to get their direction “turn right at the old Figtree”.
In 1861 Figtree Bridge was built by Moore and Vaughan. In 1867 Figtree Inn was built, a small weatherboard building built at the site of the turnoff to O’Brien’s Road, later its name changed to Figtree Hotel and it still stands. In the 1880s farming was the main industry in the area. In 1888 the Figtree Sunday School began in a cottage.
On 25 November 1903 Figtree Park was opened by senator Hugh Vaughan-Floyd, 12 years before his tragic death in World War 1. In the 1930s the opulent Greenhill and Hillside residences were developed by BHP.
The public school opened in 1956, followed by Figtree High School in 1969, Figtree Heights Public School in 1972 and Nareena Hills Public School in the foothills of Mount Nebo in 1977.
On 23 September 1965 Westfield Figtree was opened. It was expanded in 1974, and further expansions were completed in 2009, with another 15 specialty stores being added, and a “mini-department store” making it one of the largest centres in the region. It now ranks in the top 5. It was sold in August 2015 and renamed Figtree Grove in September 2015.
On 15 October 1979, the Illawarra Private Hospital was opened.
The famous figtree was deemed to be of ill health and was cut down in 1996 and only a small portion of its trunk is left. In 1998 Fig Tree Park was renovated with an aboriginal mosaic as a result of a community project. The name has been changed to Moreton Bay Figtree Park.
Figtree also has the Figtree Kangaroos AFL club, who won the 2011 Reserve Grade Grand Final becoming premiers in only their 2nd year in the competition. Figtree is also known for its large successful soccer club Figtree Junior Soccer Club. They also have a stadium which Collegians Rugby.
Figtree –Nearby Amenities and Facilities
Figtree is perhaps one of the most serviced suburbs in the Illawarra, due to its central location and its established nature. The following is a quick snapshot of the range of education, health, aged care, religious, retail, recreation and transport services available within Figtree.
Education
Figtree Heights Public School http://www.figtreehts-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Nareena Hill Public School http://www.nareenahil-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Figtree Public School http://www.figtree-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Lindsay Park Public School http://www.lindsaypk-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Figtree High School http://www.figtree-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/
The Illawarra Grammar School http://www.tigs.nsw.edu.au/
St Columba Uniting Church Pre School https://uniting.org/services/services/uniting-early-learning/st-columba-child-care-centre
Little Peoples Early Learning Centre http://www.littlepeoples.com.au/
Health
Figtree Private Hospital http://www.figtreeprivate.com.au/
Evolve Health Illawarra https://www.livesmartevolve.com/
Crown Medical http://www.crownmedical.com.au/
Figtree Surgery http://www.figtreesurgery.com.au/
Blink Optical, Simple Skin Science, Escarpment Orthopaedics
Aged Care Services
Hillside at Figtree http://hillsidefigtree.com.au/contact/
Estia Health, Figtree http://www.estiahealth.com.au/locations/figtree
Warrigal Care http://www.warrigal.com.au/
United Nareena Figtree https://uniting.org/
Religious
Figtree Anglican Church http://figtree.church/
Croation Catholic Centre
New Day Church, Figtree http://www.newdaychurch.com.au/
Slovenian Catholic Church
Uniting Church in Figtree
Retail
Figtree Grove Shopping Centre (Coles, Woolworths, Kmart and numerous specialty stores) https://figtreegrove.com.au/
Bellevue Hill Shopping Centre
Bellevue Road Shopping Centre including Crinis’ Fruit and Veg
Recreation
Figtree Park
Sid Parish Park
Figtree Oval
Roy Johannson Oval
Figtree Bowling Club http://www.figgybowlo.com.au/
Anytime Fitness https://www.anytimefitness.com.au/gyms/au-1173/gym-Figtree-NSW-fitness-center/
Collegian Tennis and Squash Club http://www.collegians.com.au/sports-centre/tennis-squash.html
Figtree Scouts http://www.nsw.scouts.com.au/campsitesandhalls/component/k2/item/10540-1stfigtreescouthall
Figtree Soccer Club
Figtree Junior Rugby League Club
Transport
Princes Highway provides regular bus services north and south
Coniston Railway – nearby provides electrified trains on the South Coast – Illawarra Line
Figtree Grove has a permanent Taxi Rank, along with phone services and Uber
