Population 544 (2011 census) Postal code 2081 | Postcode(s) 2081 Area 8.7 km² | |
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Location 38 km (24 mi) north of Sydney CBD | ||
Cowan is a small town and suburb near Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. It is described by some as part of the loosely defined North Shore region. Cowan shares the postcode of 2081 with Berowra. Brooklyn, which lies 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the north-east of Cowan, is sometimes considered the northernmost suburb of the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area.
Contents
Map of Cowan NSW 2081, Australia
History
The town takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning big water.
Transport
Access by road to Cowan is via the Pacific Highway which traverses Cowan north to south. The M1 Sydney to Newcastle Freeway runs past Cowan. The Main Northern railway line runs parallel to the Pacific Highway through most of Cowan, descending north of the town via Cowan Bank. Cowan railway station is served by NSW TrainLink Central Coast & Newcastle Line services to Newcastle (Hamilton) and Sydney Central. Electric overhead railway power facilities are located in the north of Cowan. Cowan Bank was the location of the 1990 Cowan railway accident, in which there were five deaths.
Commercial area
There is a single General Store that serves the Cowan community, which is located on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Fraser Road. A notable landmark of the Cowan area is the "Pie In The Sky" pie shop located approximately one kilometre north of Cowan on the Pacific Highway. Pie In The Sky was featured in the Australian film Lantana, and is a frequent stop for day-trippers, bicycle riders and motorcycle/motor-scooter enthusiasts on weekends.
Facilities
Cowan Community Hall is a service provided by Hornsby Shire Council. Cowan Park and a small picnic area are adjacent to the Fire Station on View Street. Cowan is served by one public primary school, Cowan Public School.
Fire protection for the entire area of Cowan is provided by the NSW Rural Fire Service, through Cowan Rural Fire Brigade, however, a Mutual Aid Agreement with the NSW Fire Brigades ensures that NSW Fire Brigades will also respond to any urban fire incidents within Cowan.
Cowan Post Office opened on 14 December 1936 and closed in 1993, however, postal services are still available in the local General Store.