Balcattais one of the largest suburbs in the northern part of the Perth metropolitan area. While much of Balcatta is a commercial and industrial area it is also where many people live. Balcatta's name was derived from the Aboriginal words "bal" meaning "his" and "katta" meaning "hill".[2] The name was recorded by Alexander Forrest in 1877 as referring to the northern portion of Careniup Swamp.

Jones St is the longest street in Balcatta.  Main Street’s popular café and restaurant strip

History

Before the 1960s, the area mainly consisted of market gardens, before residential and industry grew from the 1970s onwards.  Properties in Balcatta have a distinct southern-European influence and are predominantly single detached dwellings of brick and tile construction. The suburb also has a number of unit developments in its eastern sector as well as some character housing.

Life in Balcatta

Balcatta, with plenty of parks, commercial facilities, amenities and public open space is great for living in. There are two shopping centres in the area, one that caters for local requirements and one that services district shopping needs, as well as four primary schools (Balcatta, West Balcatta and Takari) and a high school (Balcatta). Residents have several parks and reserves available to them which offer facilities like playing fields, sports ovals and tennis courts. There is also an industrial area in the suburb’s northern sector.