Boat Harbour (Kurnell)
Boat Harbour | |
---|---|
Beach | |
Kurnell, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
Dimensions | |
• Length | 150 m |
Hazard rating | 3/10 (least hazardous) |
Access | Captain Cook Drive (road) |
→ |
Boat Harbour is a small beach located on the southern side of the
.History
The original inhabitants of the land were the Gweagal Aborigines who were a clan of the Tharawal (or Dharawal) tribe of Indigenous Australians. They are the traditional custodians of the southern geographic areas of Sydney.
The first
In 1861, the property was sold to Thomas Holt who purchased the land for £3275. Holt, originally from Yorkshire, sailed into Sydney sometime in 1842. He made his fortune during the gold rushes of the early 1850s. Holt moved to Sutherland, and further increased the size of his property holdings to approximately 13,000 acres (53 km2). He erected several mansions and ran his ‘Sutherland Estate’ in the English manner.[1]
The rock platform and reef on the southern side of Boat Harbour is known as 'The Merries'.[2] The coastline in the area is generally east-west, making it a potential hazard for northbound shipping, especially prior to the building of the Cape Baily Light. In 1895, the Aberdeen White Star Line passenger steamer Ninevah, on its way from London to Sydney, ran aground on this reef, during a fog. About a third of the ship's length was on the reef but she was refloated, without assistance, on the rising tide.[3][4][5] In 1898, the Moruya Steamship Company's small coastal steamer, Koonya, ran onto the rocks here at night during heavy rain and broke up.[6][7] In 1905, the Bellambi Coal Company's collier Marjorie ran aground at night and was stranded on this reef, until part of her cargo was jettisoned and she was relocated.[8][9] There were no deaths in these incidents.
Fishing
In late 2001, Boat Harbour became an aquatic reserve. The new reserve will place restrictions on fishing and bait collection. [10][11]
Wildlife
The area contains several habitats which include
Housing
There is no permanent housing located on or near the beach, though the site houses many temporary shacks made from corrugated iron or shipping containers.
Facilities
Boat harbour used to be the location of a
Recreational Activities
Boat harbour is home of one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing spot in Sydney Region. It works well in South Easterly or Southerly winds. No entry for Boat or PWC allowed
References
- ^ NSW Heritage Office Website - Listing Heritage Items - State Heritage Register - Item View
- ^ Babelfishing. "Merries Reef". From the Sports Desk. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS". Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904). 1895-05-15. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "GROUNDING OF THE NINEVAH". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954). 1895-05-15. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "CASUALTIES". Daily Commercial News and Shipping List (Sydney, NSW : 1891 - 1954). 1895-06-13. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "Shipping Disaster". Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931). 1898-01-25. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "WRECK OF THE KOONYA". Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931). 1898-01-26. p. 4. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "SHIPPING DISASTERS". Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930). 1905-03-28. p. 6. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "Marine Casualties". Daily Commercial News and Shipping List (Sydney, NSW : 1891 - 1954). 1905-05-03. p. 4. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ The Deep Blue - Spearfishing in Sydney's Sutherland Shire Archived October 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve