Our Neighbourhood

SUMMER HILL

Renowned for its intimate village feel, small size and pleasant streetscape with over 100 homes listed on the heritage register, Summer Hill is the quintessential Inner West community. Overseen by the Inner West Council and bordered by Ashfield and Ashbury to the west, Lewisham to the east, Dulwich Hill to the south and Haberfield to the north, Summer Hill is conveniently placed approximately 8km to the city centre.
Originally inhabited by the Cadigal and Wangal tribes of Sydney’s greater Eora nation, the first European land grant was given to former convict Henry Kable in 1794. A divisive luminary in early colonial life, Kable’s extensive yet often dubious business interests included ship building, land speculation, stock trading, sealing, brewing and transportation. Appointed the colony’s first chief constable, Kable was dismissed from his post for illegally buying and trading pigs with a visiting ship.

First used in 1876, the name ‘Summer Hill’ was believed to have been chosen by a developer to market his subdivision. Supposedly so titled in an attempt to conjure imagery of England to prospective purchasers, the real reason for the name appears to be lost to time.

Summer Hill grew rapidly in both size and prestige with the opening of the railway station in 1879. The surrounding land was quickly subdivided and between 1880 and 1910 Summer Hill became an upper class suburb favoured by banking and insurance professionals who commuted to the city. The landmark flour mill was built-in 1922, with the iconic silos gracing the landscape since the 1950s. 

With a warm and inviting vibe, the village includes the Temperance Society bar, Da Vinci’s Italian restaurant and The Drug Store café amongst other fine establishments. With a train station and light rail connection, sought-after local schools include Summer Hill Public and Trinity Grammar. With a small population, great transport links and a heritage beauty, Summer Hill is a community like no other.