TypeSuburbDetailsA suburb east of Castle Hill.
Between 1975 and 1985 the new suburb of Cherrybrook was established as part of the government’s plan to make more residential land available. The name came from the 65-acre property of Joseph and Mary Ann Harrison known as Cherrybrook Farm. Joseph Harrison had settled in the eponymous
Cherrybrook Farm in 1839 and planted peach, apricot, pear, plum, and citrus orchards on his land. Many years later the farm became a dairy but kept its name.
This land was subdivided in 1959 to become the first project home village in Sydney. The new development featured numerous cul-de-sacs and a variety of housing types to cater for all age groups. Touted as the largest model homes exhibition in the southern hemisphere, ‘the Parade of Homes’ at Cherrybrook signalled the expansion of suburbia to northwestern Sydney. The original bushland was bulldozed, and exhibition homes were built on cut and fill sites, then landscaped. A large number of building companies erected their home designs in the village, with the entire project being promoted through the Australian Women’s Weekly. The exhibition also featured designs by Harry Seidler and Ken Woolley.
“Thirty-five houses, fully furnished and set in
landscaped gardens, are ready for inspection at
Cherrybrook Gardens Estate, which six months ago
was peaceful, picturesque pastureland, part of an
old cherry orchard dating back to the early days of
the colony.”
Eventually these homes were sold to the next generation of settlers in West Pennant Hills. More development followed and farms soon gave way to houses. The processes of suburban expansion continue to influence the northwestern area of Sydney, with new residential and commercial
subdivisions.
