The suburb features remnant Sydney Harbour bushland, contained in the National Park around Dobroyd Head and Grotto Point.

Tania Park at the eastern fringe offers relaxed recreation and one can watch the Manly ferry cut its way to Circular Quay.

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

The most common responses for religious affiliation were No Religion 41.4%, Catholic 24.6% and Anglican 20.0%.

[1] Balgowlah Heights is in the federal electorate of Warringah (a seat no longer held by former PM Tony Abbott of the Liberal Party of Australia), the state electorate of Manly (a seat no longer held by Liberal Party MP and Premier Michael Baird) and is within the local council area of Manly.