Waverton, New South Wales
History
Waverton was named in 1929 after the Waverton Estate of an early resident, Richard Old. The land once belonged to William Carr, who named it after an English village connected to his family.
The North Shore railway line was extended south from St Leonards to Milsons Point in 1893. The station in this area for nearly forty years was known as Bay Road, after the thoroughfare that crosses the railway line. The local progress association recommended a change and Waverton was chosen in 1929.
Indigenous Australians occupied the area until 1916. They left behind numerous signs of their presence. Sites include a large rock carving of a whale adjacent to the heritage-listed Coal Loader, waterholes and grinding grooves at Balls Head Reserve, plus engravings and grinding grooves in Waverton Park.
Waverton is also home to the museum ship Cape Don which is berthed at the old coal loader in Balls Head Bay.
Heritage listings
Waverton has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- North Shore railway: Waverton railway station
- The Coal Loader, located on the west side of the peninsula, was established from 1913 to 1917. One of the oldest coal loaders in Sydney Harbour, it was originally a steam ship bunkering station, delivering coal from the Hunter Valley to ships in the harbour. It has been restored and is a popular spot on weekends. It is heritage-listed.
Transport
Waverton railway station is on the North Shore railway line of the Sydney Trains network.
Busways operates one bus route through Waverton:
- 265: Lane Cove to North Sydney via Wollstonecraft
Commercial area
Waverton has a village-like collection of shops around the railway station, including an IGA supermarket, bottle shop, butcher, chemist and several restaurants and cafes. The naval base HMAS Waterhen is located on Balls Head Road.
Tourism
The area around Waverton is set along the northern waterways of Lavender Bay, within picturesque surroundings of suburban bushland. The suburb offers a delightful blend of peaceful living and urban convenience with a mix of period-style homes.
Recreation
Balls Head Reserve, the bushland peninsula, is a popular picnic destination especially when there are harbour fireworks such as on New Year's Eve. Its one-way road system also forms part of a favoured route for walkers and joggers, and contains many adjacent bushwalking paths.
Waverton Park, on the banks of Berrys Bay, with views of Sydney Harbour, is another recreation focal point.
The suburb is also home of training ships Cape Don, Sycamore and Young Endeavour berthed at the coal loader facility and HMAS Waterhen respectively.
The Cape Don is also a popular maritime museum.
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Waverton". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Waverton Station Master's Residence". Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled by Frances Pollen Angus & Robertson 1990, Published in Australia ISBN 0-207-14495-8
- ^ "Waverton Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01284. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
- ^ State Heritage Register
- ^ "| transportnsw.info". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Shops in Waverton". Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ "Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Waterhen". Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ "North Sydney Council – Balls Head Reserve". Retrieved 5 May 2013.
External links
Media related to Waverton, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons
- Hoskins, Ian (2010). "Waverton". Dictionary of Sydney. Retrieved 29 September 2015. [CC-By-SA]