About Bellevue Hill, NSW

Bellevue Hill is a harbourside suburb in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, located five kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the Municipality of Woollahra.The suburb is located within the Division of Wentworth electorate. == History == The area of contemporary Bellevue Hill was originally part of the lands of the Cadigal people. Their livelihood was composed of fishing and shellfish collecting.In the early 19th century, Irish-Australian immigrants referred to the area as Vinegar Hill, after the Battle of Vinegar Hill, an engagement during the 1798 uprising of the United Irishmen in south-east Ireland. Governor Lachlan Macquarie took great exception to this and decided to name the suburb Bellevue Hill, the belle vue meaning beautiful view.The area became part of Daniel Cooper's estate, who passed most of it on his death in 1853 to his nephew, Sir Daniel Cooper. From the mid-19th century, land along the ridges was released, leading to the construction of the first houses, such as Ginahgulla, owned by the Fairfax family, and Cranbrook. The lack of public transport but preponderance of scenic views led to the area being aimed at those without the need for the former but with the appreciation for the latter.Further land was released along the heights and the western side of the hill overlooking Double Bay in the early 20th century. The extension of the tram line began mass suburban development, with most housing ending up owner-occupied and built between 1910 and 1930, with later waves of redevelopment especially in the 1990s. === Former tram service === The line to Bellevue Hill opened in 1909. Services operated from Circular Quay via Elizabeth and Park streets. Trams heading south from Circular Quay down Elizabeth Street swung left into Park Street, via a right turn into Yurong Street, a left turn into Stanley Street, a right turn into Bourke Street, then a left turn into Burton Street.{{cn}{ A feature was the tram only viaduct over Barcom Avenue and Boundary Street in Darlinghurst as the line headed into MacDonald Street.