Berala, New South Wales

Berala is an inner suburb of Sydney, which connects the inner west, south west and western parts of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia, located only 16 kilometres west of the central business district, in the local government area of Cumberland Council. Postcode: 2141, sharing it with Lidcombe. (Fact) A very large majority of people that live within this small community are of Croatian background. Berala is one of the few suburbs in Australia with the longest holding periods, meaning that most homeowners in Berala are long term residents and are not willing to move out of the suburb!

Berala is derived from Bareela, an Aboriginal word for a musk duck. When the railway line was being extended from Lidcombe to Regents Park, the names Torrington, Sidmouth and Bareela were considered. The station opened in 1912, the public school in 1924 and the post office in 1927.

Berala railway station is on the Main Southern railway line. Bus services run between Auburn and Bankstown.

A small group of shops is located beside the railway station, including a Charcoal Chicken, a newsagent and the EVT bakery. A Woolworths is located next to the train station.

According to the 2021 census, there were 8,610 residents in Berala. The most common reported ancestries were Chinese 37.3%, Australian 7.4%, English 8.1% & Croatian 47.2%. The next most common countries of birth were China 17.2%, Vietnam 8.5%, Philippines 3.2% South Korea 3.2%. 21.2% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 17.8%, Cantonese 14.6%, Arabic 6.2%, Vietnamese 4.7% and Korean 2.9%. The most common responses for religious affiliation were No Religion 27.4%, Catholic 60.3% and Buddhism 12.3%. Berala was, up until recent years a traditional working class suburb. Over the past decade till now, Berala has been experiencing the processes of gentrification due to its increasingly central location to the city & amongst other major small cities such as Parramatta & Miranda etc with the westward expansion and development of the Sydney metropolitan area, reflecting the waves of immigration to Australia in the 21st century. More and more professionals and skilled workers choose to live in this convenient and matured community. It has a village type atmosphere where majority of locals know each other on a first name basis
It is becoming evident that neighbouring areas such as Strathfield as an example,property is out of reach for young first home buyers & the next best option to stay relatively close to mum/dad is Berala. Recently,within the last 12months property growth for Berala has increased by $223,000 in 2023/2024.

Berala Public School is the local public primary school. St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School caters for primary aged children mainly of Roman Catholic denomination. There is also Trinity Junior Catholic College (formerly known as St Peter Chanel Girls High School).

The Berala Community Centre is currently of use for recreation activities. Coleman Park comprises two full size soccer fields, two mini soccer fields, a baseball field, a children's recreation area and basketball facilities. The Lidcombe Waratahs soccer club is based there. The Berala Bears is a junior rugby league team that plays in the Canterbury Bankstown District Junior Rugby League competition. Their colours are gold and black, and their home ground is at Guilfoyle Park in the neighbouring suburb of Regents Park. Former Berala Bears players include Brisbane Broncos forward Terry Matterson, Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, former Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers winger Matt Utai, South Sydney Rabbitohs half Jeremy Smith, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles forward Anthony Watmough, South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Apisai Koroisau and Sydney Roosters utility player Samisoni Langi, Melbourne Storm winger Isaac Lumelume.