Hawthorndene, South Australia

Hawthorndene
Suburb
Hawthorndene Location in greater metropolitan Adelaide
Coordinates: 35.020°S 138.631°E / -35.020; 138.631
Country	Australia
State	South Australia
City	Adelaide
LGA	City of Mitcham
Established	1925
Government
• State electorate	Waite
• Federal division	Mayo
Population
• Total	3,389 (SAL 2021)
Postcode	5051
Suburbs around Hawthorndene Blackwood Glenalta Belair Belair Blackwood Hawthorndene Upper Sturt Coromandel Valley Coromandel Valley Coromandel East Coromandel East
Adjoining suburbs

Hawthorndene is a south-eastern suburb located in the Foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges of Adelaide, South Australia.

Hawthorndene has a population of 3,389 according to the 2021 census.

Hawthorndene is home to the popular Apex Park, Suffolk Road Reserve and Hawthorndene Oval. Joan's Pantry was first opened in 1920. It overlooks Hawthorndene Oval and has a Community Garden.

Hawthorndene is also home to the Blackwood CFS South Australian Country Fire Service Station which is located on Gorse Ave, Hawthorndene.

History

The original subdivision of Hawthorndene was created by A.E. and D.J. Hewett on part sections 871–2, Hundred of Adelaide in 1925; however, it was not until 1988 that its boundaries were completely formalised. Its name refers to the many Hawthorn bushes growing along Minno Creek as a result of seeds being washed down the creek from the Hawthorn maze in the Belair National Park and from a Hawthorn hedge planted by C. Legh Winser around his orchard in what is now Glenalta. When the majority of the population and houses that are there now were put in, the suburb was called "Blackwood Estate".

Education

Hawthorndene Primary School on Suffolk Road opened on 25 May 1965. It caters for students from Reception to Year 6 with specialist programs in Physical education, Japanese and Performing Arts. In term 3 2025 there were 290 enrolled students.

Transport

Blackwood railway station and bus interchange are on the western boundary of the suburb and local routes 195, 195F, 196 and 196F operate to and from the city from Blackwood Interchange via Suffolk Road and Rankeys Hill Road.

Parks and Recreation

Suffolk Reserve

Suffolk Road Reserve is a playground and junior dirt bike track in a natural bush setting. To support increasing community use the City of Mitcham constructed public toilets which were opened in 2026.

Apex Park has two tennis courts and a large, fully fenced family playground with shelters, barbecue and toilet facilities. Nearby is a BMX junior bike track and advanced dirt bike tracks.

Hawthorndene Oval is used for Cricket matches from October to March. A community changeroom facility is being built and is due to be opened in 2026.

Blackwood Forest Recreation Park

Further information: Blackwood Forest Recreation Park

In 1908, the Government of South Australia acquired 20.8 hectares (51 acres) for use as an experimental orchard. It was planted with various fruit and nut trees by the Department of Agriculture and, in 1952, a small area was planted with radiata pines. In 1968, management was transferred to the Woods and Forest Department and, in 1972, the remaining fruit trees were removed and more pines were planted. However, by 1985, after community opposition to a plan to harvest the timber, the land was resumed and held as vacant Crown Land. After further opposition to attempts to dispose of the land, led by the community based Save the Blackwood Forest Committee, it was proclaimed a recreation park in November 2001.