Darling Point and Double Bay
We started at Rushcutters Bay park, known as Kogerah by the traditional owners, the Gadigal and Birrabirragal people. It was renamed after the rush cutters who cut the wetland reeds for thatched roofs in the early days of the Colony. Rushcutters Bay Park is reclaimed land, built at the end of the 19th century. We kick off with a coffee at the Kiosk, wander past the Cruising Yacht Club (oh, my youth!), the Flybridge and Navy Bear Cafes through to Yarranabbe Park.
Darling Point
Yaranabe (slightly different spelling) has been cited as the original name for Darling Point, named after the Chief of the indigenous clan in the 1830s and 1840s. It was named Darling Point in recognition of Elizabeth Darling, the wife of New South Wales Governor Ralph Darling, (governor from 1825 – 31, considered a tyrant, accused of torturing prisoners and banning theatrical entertainment). Yarranabbe Park is also reclaimed land. There’s a great sculpture in the park, Sea’s Nest by Professor Zhang Yangen.
We walked up the hill, past some amazing houses, including one previously owned by Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise with a car turning circle in the driveway.
On to McKell Park, named after Bill McKell, Premier of NSW from 1941-47 and Governor General from 1947-51 (who also has a playground in Alexandria named after him). In addition to being a stunning, peaceful park it is home to the ruins of Canonbury, dating from the 1840s. It was the last of three residences built on the site. Originally a cottage, then a larger two storey villa named Lansdowne and finally, in 1904 a grand residence, Canonbury, built by vaudeville entertainer Harry Rickards. After WWI it was sold to the Australian Jockey Club for a returned servicemen home and later became an annex to the Crown Street Women’s Hospital. In 1983 it was demolished for the development of McKell Park.
There are two other heritage houses in the area, Lindesay and The Swifts, but we kept going. We walked along Darling Point Rd to Marathon Rd, heading down Breakneck Steps to William St and Double Bay.
Double Bay
Double Bay was planned for by the Surveyor General Thomas Mitchell in 1834, In those early years it was a centre for market gardeners, fishermen, dairy, boat owners and small traders. Double Bay takes its name from the bay of Sydney Harbour and refers to the two geographical formations between Point Piper and Darling Point. The eastern part is also known as Blackburn Cove. Its Thursday, there are markets at the end of Guilfoyle park (woo hoo!). On the way we passed three sculptures.
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Logos by Alex Kosmas
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![Solitude by Jenny Green]()
Solitude by Jenny Green
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![Red Mountain by Russell McQuilty]()
Red Mountain by Russell McQuilty
We wandered past the shops of Double Bay, reminding ourselves if you’ve looked for that special something you can’t find anywhere else you will find it at Double Bay – for a price. Off to the Woollahra Library on New South Head Rd, then lunch at the 18 Footers. We passed Steyne park.
After lunch we went up New South Head Rd to Foster Park, discovering Burden by Paul Hopmeier. I’m not sure what angle makes the sculpture look more burdensome.
Then on to the Woollahra Council Chambers You would NEVER want to pay your rates online when you can see the magnificent view from the Council offices.
Doesn’t every Council Chambers deserve some interesting pieces of art?
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Leda by Jan King
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Self Portrait (Sleeping Muse) by Sanne Mestrom
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Last stop was down to the Murray Rose pool for more of the magic view. The pool, built in 1941, was Iain Murray Rose’s playground, inspiring his lifelong love of the water. Murray Rose (1939 – 2012) won 3 gold medals at the Melbourne Olympic Games at 17. He was the first person to successfully defend his Olympic 400m freestyle title at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960. He finished his Olympic career with four gold, one silver and one bronze medals, plus won four gold medals at the 1962 Commonwealth games and posted 15 world records. He received a scholarship to study in the USA, continued to compete for Australia and returned in 1994. He was a mentor to many swimmers and gave generously to others through charity work. In July 2012 Woollahra Council honoured his achievements by renaming the Redleaf pool the Murray Rose pool.
