Heathcote, New South Wales

Heathcote Sydney, New South Wales
Heathcote Bottle Forest Cottage (west heathcote)
Population	5,977 (2011 census)
Postcode(s)	2233
Elevation	188 m (617 ft)
Location	36 km (22 mi) from Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Sutherland Shire
State electorate(s)	Heathcote
Federal Division(s)	Cunningham
Suburbs around Heathcote: Lucas Heights Engadine Audley Heathcote National Park Heathcote Royal National Park Waterfall

Heathcote is a suburb, in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Heathcote is located 36 km south of the Sydney central business district in the Sutherland Shire. Heathcote is bordered by Engadine to the north and Waterfall to the south. It is bounded by The Royal National Park to the east, and Heathcote National Park to the west.

Heathcote is separated into two sections by the railway line. Heathcote East contains two of the schools and a sports oval. Heathcote West is the larger side with the majority of residents. South Metropolitan Scouts Association has a camping ground and training centre in Boundary Road. A small group of shops is located on the western side, near the railway station on Princes Highway. The Sutherland Shire Emergency Services Centre is located on the eastern side, beside the railway station. Heathcote incorporates a large population of exclusive brethren.

Heathcote was originally known as Bottle Forest. There were fourteen town allotments in Bottle Forest in 1842, in what is now Heathcote East. In 1835 Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell (1792–1855) conducted a survey of the area and named it Heathcote, in honour of an officer who had fought with him during the Peninsula Wars against Napoleon.

Heathcote railway station opened in 1886. Heathcote Hall (The Hall) was built in Heathcote East in 1887 by Abel Harber, a brick manufacturer. This grand Victorian house included a tower, which was a symbol of wealth. Harber suffered heavy financial losses during the construction of the Imperial Arcade in Sydney and attempted to dispose of the property but the 1892 depression did not help. The Financial Institution became the house’s possessor and they arranged with George Adams of Tattersalls to organise a sweepstake with the house as a prize. The winner was Mr S. Gillett, a Sydney builder. The property was sold to Edmond Lamb Brown in 1901 and as of September 2014^[update] it still stands, though in a "dilapidated" state.