Balgowlah was named in 1832 after an Aboriginal word meaning north harbour in reference to its position from Port Jackson.

[3] Sir Edmund Barton, Australia's first prime minister, resided in the building known as Whitehall in White Street.

[1] Balgowlah's main commercial area is located on Condamine Street and Sydney Road.

The nearest major shopping centre is Westfield Warringah Mall, located two kilometres north of the suburb.

Balgowlah is one of the destinations for the Hop-Skip-Jump[7] free bus service operated by Northern Beaches Council.

Schools in the Balgowlah region include: The North Harbour Reserve on Condamine Street, south of the shopping centre, is a popular picnic spot for large groups.