There is something incredibly special about living on the Northern Illawarra coast. We get the perfect blend of lush escarpment views, stunning beaches, and a vibrant community. But if you take a closer look at the streets we walk every day, you’ll find layers of history that shaped the town we are lucky enough to call home today.
Recently, two of our favourite friendly local Real Estate Agents, Troy and Tony, took a trip down memory lane right through the heart of the Woonona Shopping Strip. It’s amazing how much has changed over the decades, and their chat got us feeling incredibly nostalgic about Woonona’s evolution.
Let’s take a look at how some of our favorite local spots used to look!
The Buttercup Bread Factory (Now Woonona Pizza Kitchen)
If you’ve lived in Woonona long enough, the building housing Woonona Pizza Kitchen on Princes Highway holds some delicious – and fragrant – memories. Long before it was serving up woodfired pizzas, it was the Woonona Industrial Co-operative and later became the Buttercup Bread Factory.
“Great childhood memories,” Tony recalls. “Riding on my pushbike, getting a fresh loaf of bread.”
The building still retains its beautiful historic facade, standing as a proud reminder of Woonona’s industrial and cooperative roots.
Woonona History Photos credit: Looking Back with Mick Roberts
Where Everyone Knew Your Name: Banks, Pubs, and Local Sport
A stroll down the highway shows just how much Woonona’s commercial landscape has shifted. A generation or two ago, the street was a self-contained hub where a Saturday morning run of errands looked very different than it does today.
Back then, the old TAB and the neighborhood fish and chip shop were prominent weekend fixtures on the strip. Even the buildings where we now handle our health and fitness have deep corporate roots; the FMP Medical Practice originally housed the Bank of New South Wales (later Westpac), while Anytime Fitness down the road was once a busy ANZ Bank.
Of course, no look back is complete without mentioning the town’s social cornerstones. Hooper’s Hotel—affectionately remembered by many as The Royal Hotel – was a true neighborhood anchor, serving as the exact spot where generations of locals, including Tony, enjoyed their very first beer.
The Changing Face of Local Shopping & Entertainment
For those who moved to the area a bit later, like Troy, memories are tied to places like Civic Video, which used to sit where the current pharmacy strip is, complete with a little deli tucked behind it.
Before the mega-supermarkets opened nearby, the building that housed Permewans Supermarket was the absolute go-to. For years, it was the only supermarket in town, serving as the social hub where you’d guaranteed to run into your neighbours.
Embracing the Present, Honouring the Past
Walking through Woonona today, you’ll see trendy cafes, boutique clothing stores and bustling fitness centers. The town has evolved into a highly sought-after coastal haven, but its working-class heart, historic architecture, and tight-knit community spirit haven’t changed a bit.
We truly are lucky to call this beautiful slice of the Illawarra home.
What are your favorite memories of old Woonona? Did you ever get a fresh loaf of bread from the Buttercup factory? Let us know!