Dapto is a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia, located on the western side of Lake Illawarra and covering . As at the , the suburb had a population of 10,954.
History The name Dapto is said to be an Aboriginal word either from Dabpeto meaning "water plenty", or from tap-toe which described the way a lame Aboriginal elder walked. The suburb was officially founded in 1834, when George Brown transferred the Ship Inn from Wollongong to Mullet Creek Farm, in an area now named in his honour as Brownsville. After an unsuccessful attempt at wheat growing in the 1850s, Dapto embraced the dairy industry. In 1887, the railway opened, and a butter factory was established. This began a transformation of Dapto and the town centre shifted south to where the new station was located. The Australian Smelting Company's works were established on Kanahooka Road and employed over 500 men. A railway, operated by the Illawarra Harbour and Land Corporation Limited, connected the smelter with the Government railway at Dapto.
Population According to the 2021 census, there were 10,954 people in Dapto. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 4.9% of the population. 81.0% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 5.3%, New Zealand 1.0%, Scotland 0.8%, the Philippines 0.7% and North Macedonia 0.5%. 89.6% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages spoken at home were Macedonian 0.7%, Spanish 0.6%, Arabic 0.4%, Italian 0.4% and Serbian 0.4%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 40.6%, Catholic 21.8% and Anglican 17.3%; a further 4.6% elected not to disclose their religion.
Land use On Koonawarra Point is Mount Brown Reserve, a hill protected by a nature reserve for its important habitat.
Transport The South Coast line electric rail service terminated in Dapto prior to electrification being extended to Kiama in 2001.
Sport
The Dapto Canaries compete in the local Illawarra Rugby League.
Education
The suburb has one high school, Dapto High School.
Dapto in popular culture Dapto was mentioned in The Aunty Jack Show, as a parody of the lyrics of the Lucky Starr song "I've Been Everywhere" were changed so that, instead of listing a wide range of Australian towns, the song said "I've been to Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong,... Wollongong, Wollongong, Dapto, Wollongong".
In a bizarre alternate universe, Dapto is the main setting for the adult animated television series Koala Man that premiered on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in Australia on 9 January 2023. The series takes place in an alternate universe where the sinking of the Titanic was averted, indirectly resulting in the United States of America being destroyed (except Hollywood becoming an island), Australia becoming the world's superpower, and Nicole Kidman becoming its Queen. Creator Michael Cusack was born and raised in Dapto
The animated YouTube series Damo and Darren is set in locations inspired by real places in the Dapto area, where creator Michael Cusack was born and raised. Damo and Darren depicts the daily tribulations of two eponymous local 'deros', who spend their days visiting skateparks (including one inspired by the Unanderra skatepark), train stations (with similar appearance to Dapto railway station), and local Centrelink services.
Notable people Bill Beach, rower Michael Cusack, animator, co-creator of Smiling Friends, Koala Man, and Damo and Darren Zac De Jesus, soccer player Bobby Dimond, rugby league player Peter Dimond, rugby league player Brian Johnson, rugby league player Steve Kilbey, singer-songwriter John Makin AKA the Hatpin Murderer' was a 'baby farmer' convicted for murder in 1892 Paul McGregor, former rugby league player Fred Moore, activist Herbert Swan, politician Shannon Wakeman, rugby league player Ryan Park, Member for Keira, Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast
See also Dapto railway station Scrapbooking Delights (art and craft space)
References
External links
Wollongong City Library – Dapto Local Statistics Wollongong City Library – Dapto History