Suburb Profiles
Overview
A highly sought after suburb with a reputation for quality living and conveniences in an attractive quiet setting. It boasts an ever expanding shopping precinct, restaurants and eateries, quality private and public schools and varied business and professional services.
Situated some 36 kms north west of the Sydney Central Business District it forms part of the Hills District region and sits within both The Hills Shire Council and Hornsby Council Local Government areas. It forms part of a unique and varied region within close proximity to Rouse Hill Town Centre, Norwest Business Park and the Castle Hill shopping precinct. Easy access to modern road networks link the area to the Sydney CBD and suburbs and regions in all directions via the M1, M4 & M7 motorways.
The original inhabitants of the area where the Darug people and the name was derived from Dooral-Dooral, aboriginal words meaning ‘a smoking hollow tree’. Land donated by a local settler, James Roughley was used for the building of a sandstone chapel with a shingle roof and bell tower with construction commencing in 1846. St Jude’s Church still stands on Old Northern Road and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database.
The fertile soil of the area meant it was perfect for citrus orchards, vegetable and poultry farms with Dural and the wider area supplying citrus fruit for large parts of Australia. Today that same fertile soil ensures a beautiful leafy setting and established ornamental gardens.
In short, the area offers residents a remarkable rural lifestyle with all the conveniences of urban living in a quiet and attractive setting.