It is located 17 kilometres (11mi) west-southwest of Newcastle.
History
The first people of this land were the Awabakal whose territory included Cardiff. The Awabakal tribe were hunters and gatherers who would keep moving in order to prevent exhausting their supplies, camping at various sites for days and sometimes weeks.[2]
Cardiff's history is defined by coal mining, orchards and the construction of the Sydney to Newcastle railway.
Originally known as Winding Creek after the stream which wound its way from south-east to north-west across the central valley of the area, the area then became known as Lymington after one of the mines in the area. The name Lymington kept being confused with Flemington by postal authorities, so another name change was recommended. There were a number of Welsh settlers living in the area, and on the suggestion of one of them, James Edwards, the name Cardiff was chosen after the capital of Wales. It was officially adopted in 1889.[3]
Early Settlers
The first land grant was a parcel of 2,560 acres (10.4 km2) to Joseph Weller in 1833, stretching west of the current Macquarie Road to Argenton and Cockle Creek. This grant was later transferred to the Wallsend Coal Company.
Other selections were taken up from 1862 to the east of the Weller grant.
Coal Mines
In the latter part of the 19th century coal mining, became prevalent in the area. Lymington (1882) and South Wallsend (1884, later renamed Cardiff) collieries both started production in the vicinity of the current Cardiff South. During the Depression of the 1930's 8 small pits operated: Tickhole, Austral, Rosebank, Ajax, Jubilee, Rising Sun, Hillside and the old Myall Extended, which was reopened. An opencut operated during World War II and closed in 1947.
Railway Line
Cardiff railway station
Construction of the railway began in 1883, which led to a navvies camp being established at Winding Creek in 1883 with the rail line completed in 1887. The first Cardiff railway station, known as Winding Creek, was opened in 1888 and renamed Cardiff a year later.[3]
The original line which ran through the present day RSL car park, Cardiff Toyota and along Myall Road was found to be too steep for the trains of the period, and the line was realigned to the current alignment completed in June 1902. A new station was built on the deviation in 1904 and is currently a key stop on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line.
Other
Lake Macquarie Shire Council had its offices in Cardiff from 1906 until 1915.
Places of Interest
Winding Creek
Winding Creek has always been a prominent feature, with the town of Cardiff straddling its banks. It is one of the main tributaries of Cockle Creek, which flows into Lake Macquarie and during significant rain events floods the Central Business District, most notably during the 2007 Pasha BulkerECL. In 1972 the section between Elizabeth Street and the rail line was concreted, in 2024 a 300m section was reconstructed by Hunter Water for a more natural look, south of Myall Road.[4]
War Memorial
Established in 1921, the memorial has two First World War dedication plaques. The plaques were originally located at the gates of Cardiff cricket ground, but was re-erected in 1971 at the corner of Macquarie Road and Myall Road due to road-widening. It was re-dedicated in 1975 by Tom Uren.[5]
The memorial was then moved again to the Cardiff RSL Club in 2001. In 2013, the memorial was re-designed to include a cenotaph and two headstones alongside the original First World War plaques.[5]
Harry Ford Reserve
Named after Harry Ford Snr, a Cardiff businessman and property owner. It was a 2000-square-metre park located on the corner of Main Road and Macquarie Road. Harry Ford Memorial Park and fountain was opened by P.D Hills MLA on 2nd August 1973.The fountain was infamous for instances when detergent was added to it and it became the foamy fountain, often encroaching onto nearby roads.[6]
Lake Macquarie City Council sold the parkland to Woolworths in 2009, who demolished the fountain and park facilities to develop a new shopping centre on the land, committing to acquiring land nearby to develop a new community park. Four sites were identified, but years later, the park has not been replaced.[7]
Cardiff Railway Workshops
The Cardiff Railway Workshops were established in 1928 following the relocation of the New South Wales Government Railways facilities from Honeysuckle Station, Newcastle, to a new site near Cardiff, New South Wales.
During the Second World War, the workshops contributed to the war effort by producing tools and dies for the manufacture of shell casings and other munitions components. In addition to wartime production, the site undertook repairs to rolling stock and constructed locomotives. Steam locomotive maintenance continued until 1970, when the last steam boiler was overhauled, marking the transition to diesel traction.
Employment at the workshops peaked at 1,915 workers in 1947 but declined to around 600 by the 1970s. The facility’s role as a major maintenance centre ended in December 1993, when the last locomotives departed. The workshops were officially closed on 7 January 1994.
Following closure, the sheds were repurposed for other railway projects. Between 1994 and 1998, the site was used for fitting radios to locomotives. In June 1998, Downer Rail secured a contract to construct 140 electric suburban carriages, later known as the Millennium Trains, at the Cardiff facility.
Education
The first Public School opened in July 1891 in a Methodist Church rented by the Education Department. A more permanent building was provided in 1897 on land purchased from the Wallsend Coal Company where Cardiff Public school is presently located.[8]
Cardiff High School is a co-ed government high school established in 1962, located on Boronia Street.[9]
Cardiff Public School is a co-ed government primary school established in 1891, located on Macquarie Road.[10]
Cardiff North Public School is a co-ed government primary school established in 1956, located on Wansbeck Valley Road.[11]
St Kevin's Primary School is a co-ed catholic primary school established in 1917, located on Main Road. [12]
Sports
Cardiff has played an important part in the sporting history of the Hunter Region, home to many sports and clubs.
Soccer
Cardiff City currently represent the suburb competing in the Zone Football League Division 1.
Previous clubs were Cardiff Junior Soccer club and Cardiff Soccer Club.
Cardiff has a small shopping centre, as well as numerous small specialty stores. There are two supermarkets.
The Cardiff Shopping Centre features a liquor store, newsagency, bakery, sushi cafe, hairdresser, and travel agency
Hotels and Clubs
Cardiff Workers Club / Club Nova Panthers/ Wests Cardiff
Cardiff Workers' Club origins began with miners seeking a post-work social spot. In 1947, miners found a site in Pendlebury Road, Cardiff, starting with just a keg on a tree stump, known informally as "The Black Stump". The popularity of "The Black Stump" led to efforts to form a registered club, culminating in the Cardiff District Workers' Club receiving its license on May 14, 1957. The club was a popular dance spot and a vital part of the community. Cardiff Workers Club hosted many big acts including Chuck Berry, Cold Chisel, INXS, Little River Band.[13]
On 15 July 2001 the Club Nova amalgamation was approved by the members and in 2002 Panthers amalgamated with Club Nova Newcastle & Cardiff. The clubs were then known as Club Nova Panthers Newcastle & Cardiff respectfully, until 29 September 2003 when the club's names were changed to Newcastle & Cardiff Panthers. The Wests Group took over the struggling Cardiff Panthers club in 2013, securing its poker machines and land to relieve Panthers' debt, integrating it as another Wests venue.[14]
Cardiff RSL
Cardiff Bowling Club
On 21 September 1951, a meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff between the Amenities Committee and members of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce. It was agreed that the Chamber would take the lead in forming a bowling club. A public meeting to form the Cardiff Bowling Club was held on 17 December 1951 at the Star Theatre and construction began with foundational piers set on 9 May 1953. The first matches on the new green were held on 10 May 1953.
Royal Hotel / Iron Horse Inn
Industrial Estate
Cardiff Industrial Estate is located in Cardiff’s west, a major light Industrial area of the Hunter Region that was established in the 70’s and expanded on in the 90’s.
In 2021 Munibung Road was extended through the redeveloped former Pasminco Sulphide site, providing a connection between Cardiff and Boolaroo.
Population statistics
1891- 200 persons.
1911- 145 homes and 667 persons.
1921- 313 homes and 1522 persons. Including Cardiff Heights.
1933- 881 homes and 3843 persons. Including Cardiff Heights.
1947- 1160 homes and 4755 persons. Including Cardiff Heights.
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