
Watsons Bay is a harbourside,
eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Watsons Bay is located 11 km north-east of the
Sydney central business district
The Sydney central business district (CBD) is the historical and main Central business district, commercial centre of Sydney. The CBD is Sydney's city centre, or Sydney City, and the two terms are used interchangeably. Colloquially, the CBD or ...
, in the
local government area
A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a federated state, state, province, division (politica ...
of the
Municipality of Woollahra
Woollahra Municipal Council (or Woollahra Council) is a Local government in Australia, local government area in the Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Woollahra is bounded by Port J ...
.
Watsons Bay sits on the end of the
South Head peninsula and takes its name from the sheltered
bay
A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a ''gulf'', ''sea'', ''sound'', or ''bight''. A ''cove'' is a small, ci ...
and
anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ', which itself comes from the Greek ().
Anch ...
age on its western side, in
Port Jackson
Port Jackson, commonly known as Sydney Harbour, is a natural harbour on the east coast of Australia, around which Sydney was built. It consists of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta ...
(Sydney Harbour). It provides views across the harbour to the
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, spanning Port Jackson, Sydney Harbour from the Sydney central business district, central business district (CBD) to the North Shore (Sydney), North ...
.
The Gap is an ocean cliff on the eastern side with views to
Manly at
North Head and the
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...
.
Vaucluse
Vaucluse (; or ) is a department in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It had a population of 561,469 as of 2019. is the only adjacent suburb, to the south.
History
Aboriginal history
The original inhabitants of the area that is now known as Watsons Bay, were the
Cadigal
The Gadigal, also spelled as Cadigal and Caddiegal, are a group of Aboriginal people whose traditional lands are located in Gadi, on Eora country, the location of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. However, since the colonisation of Australi ...
people. The Cadigal referred to the area as Kutti. This indigenous group of people fished and collected shellfish in the waters and bays off South Head. They acquired their resources from Camp Cove and carved
rock engravings there, which have since eroded from the cliff faces and rock surfaces that line the coastline.
European settlement
The first Europeans arrived at the location on 21 January 1788 as the
First Fleet
The First Fleet were eleven British ships which transported a group of settlers to mainland Australia, marking the beginning of the History of Australia (1788–1850), European colonisation of Australia. It consisted of two Royal Navy vessel ...
landed and stayed overnight on Camp Cove.
A lookout was later built on the cliffs in 1790.
The first grant of was made to Edward Laing in 1793 in the Camp Cove Area. Early homes were built for government and military officials working at the local installations.
Watson's Bay was named after
Robert Watson (1756–1819), formerly of
HMS ''Sirius'', when he had to beach his three vessels at Camp Cove for many years because of their being potentially sold by the
Provost Marshal
Provost marshal is a title given to a person in charge of a group of Military Police (MP). The title originated with an older term for MPs, '' provosts'', from the Old French (Modern French ). While a provost marshal is now usually a senior c ...
. Watson was appointed
harbour pilot
A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who has specific knowledge of an often dangerous or congested waterway, such as harbors or river mouths. Maritime pilots know local details s ...
and
harbourmaster of the port of Sydney in 1811 and the first superintendent of
Macquarie Lighthouse
The Macquarie Lighthouse, also known as South Head Upper Light, is the first, and is the longest serving, lighthouse site in Australia. It is located on Dunbar Head, on Old South Head Road, Vaucluse in the Municipality of Woollahra local gover ...
in 1816.
Watsons Bay remained an isolated fishing village until development began in the 1860s.
The population grew from three dozen in 1828 to 122 in 1841.
Subdivision started in the 1850s.
After a ferry service opened in the 1870's, a number of hotels were opened.
Today, The Gap is known as a notorious suicide spot.
Dunbar
The ''Dunbar'' was wrecked near the entrance to
Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson, commonly known as Sydney Harbour, is a ria, natural harbour on the east coast of Australia, around which Sydney was built. It consists of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove River, Lane ...
, Australia in
1857
Events January–March
* January 1 – The biggest Estonian newspaper, '' Postimees'', is established by Johann Voldemar Jannsen.
* January 7 – The partly French-owned London General Omnibus Company begins operating.
* Ja ...
with the loss of 121 lives. The wreck of the ''Dunbar'' ranks as one of Australia's worst maritime disasters, with the event still retained in the social history of Sydney and NSW.
The ''Dunbar'' had mistaken the bay of The Gap for the harbour entrance. This led to the construction of the
Hornby Lighthouse. In 1910, at Jacob’s Ladder, the anchor from the ship was recovered along with other relics and were placed in a museum behind the old Town Hall in Military Road by Vaucluse Council. The anchor was transferred to the cliffs of Gap Park by Ald. Coombes and a memorial was unveiled in August 1930.
Trams

The City to Watson's Bay tram line was extended from
Edgecliff to Signal Hill Station, Watson's Bay in 1903 with further extensions to Gap Park in 1909. The latter extension included a new tram terminus adjacent to The Gap and a tram cutting cut into the rock face in Gap Park that ran above and parallel to Gap Road that gradually descended to street level before terminating.
The line from the city commenced with a loop at the corner of Erskine and Day Streets near
Wynyard station. It then proceeded south down Day Street before turning left into
King Street passing through Queen's Square at
St James station. It then made a right hand turn into
College Street, and headed south before turning left into Boomerang Street. The line then continued left into
William Street, through
King's Cross and then along
Bayswater Road
Bayswater Road is the main road running along the northern edge of Hyde Park, London, Hyde Park in London. Originally part of the A40 road in London, A40 road, it is now designated part of the A402 road.
Route
In the east, Bayswater Road ...
and into
New South Head Road at
Rushcutters Bay
Rushcutters Bay is a harbourside inner-east suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, 3 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Sydney.
The suburb of Rushcutters Ba ...
. The line then followed the course of New and
Old South Head Road
Old South Head Road is a major road in Sydney, linking the eastern suburb of Bondi Junction to Watsons Bay on the South Head peninsula. It is historically significant because its earliest origins can be traced back to the early days of the co ...
s before turning right into Gap Park. After turning right into Gap Park a single track passed through narrow rock cuttings, low cliffs and rugged back-drops, turning its way down to the terminus at Watsons Bay.
The line had its own depot and city terminus and operated independently, although it was connected to the main Sydney tram network. In 1949, the line from Rose Bay to Watson's Bay closed, but reopened in 1950 due to public protest. In 1950, the line down King Street to Erskine Street closed and a new terminus constructed at Queens Square. The remainder of the line closed in 1960, the tracks were removed and in 1964 the Council re-vegetated the area around the former tramway cutting in gap park with the object of restoring the area.
When walking up the steps to The Gap at Watsons Bay, there is flat ground in between two sets of steps. This continues for a fair way in both directions, and is the old tram right of way.
The present-day
Transdev John Holland
Transdev John Holland Buses is a bus operator in Sydney, Australia. A joint venture between Transdev Australasia, Transdev and John Holland Group, John Holland, it operates services in Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts, Sydney Bus Regio ...
route 324 follows the route of the former tram line as far as the point where the tramway turned off Old South Head Road into Gap Park. The bus and tram routes meet again near the terminus in Military Road.
[Gap Park History - NSW Government](_blank)
/ref>
Sydney Harbour defences during WWII
In 1942, during World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net was constructed on Georges Head to prevent enemy submarines from entering Sydney Harbour. The boom net spanned the entire width of Port Jackson and a boom net winch house was located on Liangs Point, Watsons Bay.
On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
ese midget submarine
A midget submarine is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to six or nine, with little or no on-board living accommodation. They normally work with mother ships, from which they are launched an ...
s attempted to enter Sydney Harbour in what became known as the attack on Sydney Harbour
From 31 May to 8 June 1942, during World War II, Imperial Japanese Navy submarines made a series of attacks on the Australian cities of Sydney and Newcastle, New South Wales, Newcastle. On the night of 31 May – 1 June, three Ko-hyoteki class ...
.[Gill, George Hermon (1968). ''Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945'', p 65][Stevens, David (2005). ''A Critical Vulnerability'', p 193] One of the Japanese midget submarines became entangled in the boom net; and, after unsuccessful attempts to free the submarine, the crew detonated charges within the sub, killing themselves and destroying their sub in the process.
During this period, Nielsen Park was used as an anti-aircraft base. The base had its own interim wooden barracks, searchlight
A searchlight (or spotlight) is an apparatus that combines an extremely luminosity, bright source (traditionally a carbon arc lamp) with a mirrored parabolic reflector to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a part ...
s and anti-aircraft guns
Anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) is the counter to aerial warfare and includes "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It encompasses surface-based, subsurface ( submarine-launched), and air-bas ...
.
In Gap Park, a gun emplacement for a small calibre gun, which was never installed was also intended for use during World War II.
Christina Stead
The novelist Christina Stead
Christina Stead (17 July 190231 March 1983) was an Australian novelist and short-story writer acclaimed for her satirical wit and penetrating psychological characterisations. Christina Stead was a committed Marxist, although she was never a me ...
lived in 14 Pacific Street from 1911 to 1928, after which she went overseas. The house is marked with a plaque mounted in the footpath. Stead was the first writer chosen for the Woollahra Council Plaque Scheme, which was inaugurated in 2014.
The house, known as ''Boongarre'' or ''Boongaree'' was built in the 1870s. It was owned by the Stead family from 1918 to 1980 and is sometimes known as ''Stead House''. It was later acquired by the soccer player Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer ( , ; born 6 October 1972) is an Australian former professional football player who played as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper. He represented Australia men's national soccer team, Australia at international level ...
. In 2011, Woollahra Council voted to confirm the heritage status of the house. It is now listed on the council's heritage list.[Woollahra Council Website](_blank)
/ref>
Population
At the 2021 census, 883 people were recorded in Watsons Bay. 62.6% of people were born in Australia and 80.0% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 33.5% and Catholic 19.8%.
In the 2016 census, there were 850 people in Watsons Bay. 64.6% of people were born in Australia and 78.0% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 33.8% and Catholic 19.2%.
Landmarks
Watsons Bay is a mostly residential area with some recreational areas and beaches, including Camp Cove and a legal nude beach located at Lady Bay. Some restaurants, cafes and a hotel are located here. The coastal walk with ocean views of the Gap along South Head make Watsons Bay a popular tourist attraction in Sydney. The Sydney Harbour Pilot Boat Station was located on the bay, and the naval training base HMAS ''Watson'' is located nearby at South Head.
Heritage listings
Watsons Bay has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
* ''Dunbar'', a ship
* Old South Head Road: Hornby Lighthouse
Watsons Bay has a large number of heritage buildings, with the following buildings listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate
The Register of the National Estate was a heritage register that listed natural and cultural heritage places in Australia that was closed in 2007. Phasing out began in 2003, when the Australian National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heri ...
: Many buildings and structures are also listed as heritage items by Woollahra Council.
* Buildings 28–31, HMAS ''Watson''
* Hornby Lighthouse and two cottages, South Head
* St Peter's Church, Old South Head Road, designed by Edmund Blacket
Edmund Thomas Blacket (25 August 1817 – 9 February 1883) was an Australian architect, best known for his designs for the University of Sydney, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney and Goulburn Cathedral (St. Saviour), St. Saviour's Cathedral, Goulbu ...
(1864)
* Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Old South Head Road (1909–1910)
* Scout hall, 335 Old South Head Road, former school designed by George Allen Mansfield (1876)
* A former school residence designed by George Allen Mansfield, Old South Head Road, (1876)
* Former marine station, Pacific Street and Laings Point, built and used by Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay (1885)
* Sandstone obelisk, Robertson Park, commemorating the construction of Old South Head Road
Old South Head Road is a major road in Sydney, linking the eastern suburb of Bondi Junction to Watsons Bay on the South Head peninsula. It is historically significant because its earliest origins can be traced back to the early days of the co ...
(1811)
* ''Boongarre'', Pacific Street, has a local government heritage listing
Image:WatsonsBay1.JPG, Former school, Old South Head Road (1876)
Image:1_St_Peters_Church3.JPG, St Peter's Anglican Church (1864)
File:(1)Our_Lady_Star_of_the_Sea_Catholic_Church-1.jpg, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church
File:Former school residence Watsons Bay.jpg, Former school residence, Old South Head Road (1876)
Image:(1)Christina_Stead_house_Watsons_Bay.jpg, Former home of Christina Stead, Pacific Street
Events
Every Man and His Dog is an annual event held in Watsons Bay on Australia Day (January 26), where men and their dogs team up on the same stand-up paddle board and race other dog lovers. Many of the participants dress up in matching dog and owner costumes.
Attractions
* Bottle and Glass Point
* Doyles on the Beach
* Hermitage Foreshore Track
* Macquarie Lighthouse
* Milk Beach Vaucluse
* Nielson Park
* The Federation Cliff Walk
* Shakespeares Point
* Vaucluse House
Notable people
Notable people from or who have lived in Watsons Bay include:
* Herbert Badham (1899–1961), an Australian realist painter
References
External links
* Creative Commons license">CC-By-SA">Creative_Commons_license.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Creative Commons license">CC-By-SA/nowiki>
* Creative Commons license">CC-By-SA">Creative_Commons_license.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Creative Commons license">CC-By-SA/nowiki>
Watsons Bay - Sydney.com
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