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Lavender Bay, New South Wales facts for kids

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Lavender Bay
SydneyNew South Wales
(1)Clark Park Lavender Bay.jpg
Clark Park, Lavender Bay
Population 941 (2016 census)
 • Density 4,700/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 2060
Area 0.2 km2 (0.1 sq mi)
Location 3 km (2 mi) north of Sydney CBD
LGA(s) North Sydney Council
State electorate(s) North Shore
Federal Division(s) North Sydney
Suburbs around Lavender Bay:
North Sydney North Sydney North Sydney
McMahons Point Lavender Bay Milsons Point
Dawes Point

Lavender Bay is a harbourside suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Lavender Bay is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council.

The suburb takes its name from the natural feature of Lavender Bay, on Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), to the west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It lies between Milsons Point and McMahons Point and the suburb of North Sydney is located, to the north. Lavender Bay is a residential suburb with expansive views of Sydney Harbour.

History

Shoreview1931
Lavender Bay in 1931 with Sydney Harbour Bridge under construction and Lavender Bay railway station on the left

Lavender Bay was named after the Boatswain (bosun), George Lavender, from the prison hulk "Phoenix", which was moored there for many years. The bay was originally called Hulk Bay and sometimes Phoenix Bay. George Lavender lived on 14 acres (57,000 m2) adjacent to the property of Billy Blue. On 30 May 1915 Lavender Bay railway station was opened to take the place of Milsons Point railway station. This only lasted for seven weeks, as passengers refused to alight here and demanded that trains stop at Milsons Point. During the harbour bridge construction, Lavender Bay Station was the terminus for the North Shore Line. The area is now railway storage sidings.

Landmarks

  • A wharf is located in the bay which provides access to private vessels.
  • The Lavender Bay Baths (1910) were once popular with swimmers, located in the area beside the ferry wharf.
  • Wendy Whiteley created a garden adjacent to her home, in the area between Clark Park and the old railway line. It is sometimes known as Wendy's Secret Garden, and is open to the public.

Notable residents

  • Sir Donald Bradman lived in the harbourfront Bay View Street, and was one of the first few Australians to get a private telephone number while living in Bay View Street.
  • Artist Norman Lindsay lived at 'Heidelberg' at 9 Bay View Street; another artist, John Firth-Smith, occupied this same house many decades later.
  • Artist Brett Whiteley lived in a house overlooking the Bay with his wife Wendy Whiteley; Wendy continued to live there as of 2019. In 2018 the NSW Government granted heritage status to the Whiteleys' house, its views of Sydney Harbour, and Wendy's remarkable Secret Garden in recognition of the significance of the place to the history of Australian art.

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