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From Manly to Palm Beach and everything in-between, there's something for all ages.
The suburb of Manly was named by Governor Phillip after the 'manly' looking Aboriginal's in the area. The first Aboriginal they captured from Manly was Arabanoo but they called him "Manly" until they found out his real name.
The suburb of Manly was named by Governor Phillip after the 'manly' looking Aboriginal's in the area. The first Aboriginal they captured from Manly was Arabanoo but they called him "Manly" until they found out his real name.
The area of Manly was originally called 'Eve's Cove' after the perfectly formed and naked women in the area.
Manly was originally given to Middle Harbour where Arabanoo was captured and has since moved to Eve's Cove and what is now Manly.
Governor Phillip was actually speared at Manly Cove where the ferries arrive not at Collin's Cove as historically speculated.
Until the early 1900's, the northern beaches were a holiday destination with camping areas in Collaroy,
Narrabeen and up to Palm Beach.
From 1903 to 1907, horses were used to pull the trams along Pittwater Road until steam services were introduced.
In 1923, Avalon only had ten houses and most were only holiday houses.
In 1888, there was less than 2,000 residents between Manly and Narrabeen.
Manly - Originally called Eve's Cove then was renamed Ellensville in 1855, then Brighton, then Manly.
Queenscliff - Named after Queen Victoria.
Brookvale - Originally called Greendale after the wooded area between the hills and the sea. As there was already a Greendale south-west of Sydney near Bringelly so its name was changed to 'Brookvale' after two homesteads in the area that named itself after the brook than ran along the track that is now Pittwater Road.
Balgowlah - There has been many variations; Bulgowla, bilgowla. The translation has had as many variations as well, from middle harbour, to white devil but it comes from the Aboriginal word 'bulgoola' meaning 'Harbour View.'
Another translation is from the word 'bulagoola' meaning 'two harbours' (bula - two) and (googla - harbour) named after the separation of Sydney Harbour from Middle Head.
Elanora -From an Aboriginal word 'ella' (the clay used for body painting) and 'nura' (country or land). The are of Red Hill was predominately the Ellanura area. The translation 'by the sea' or 'home by the sea' is from other Aboriginal languages that have come from distant language groups.
Narraweena- Supposedly meaning "quite place in the hills" but it's a corruption of the word 'nurawina' or 'nuraweenah' and its literal meaning is 'nura' (country, place or land) and 'wee' (to rest, stay, sit or live) and adding -na or -nah as a suffix (to see or to watch) so translated as 'place to rest and see.'
Harbord - Originally called Freshwater but was changed to Harbord after the
Honourable Judith Harbord, sister-in-law of Lord Carrington, Governor of NSW 1885-1890).
Curl Curl - Named after a corruption of an Aboriginal word 'gura gura' or 'goorah goorah' meaning 'long and twisting' which is appropriate for the lagoon that is in the Many area.
It was originally the name for Manly Lagoon but was changed and moved to a few kilometres north to the now named Curl Curl.
Dee Why - There has been many versions of how its name came about. Some say it's a corruption of an Aboriginal word 'diwi' or 'dee-wee' or 'diwai' which was the name or noise of a water bird from the area. Another is the name of an explorer who carved his initials into the rocks in the area. Another is the supposed shape of the lagoon and the beach with it's headland forming the 'D' and 'Y' when view from an elevated area. James Meehan, a land owner and surveyor had charted the area as 'Dy'. No-one knows if this was meant to be the initials for D.Y or a shortened version of another word, perhaps a Greek word but this is all speculation. The real answer may never be known, it maybe kept it some dusty archive just waiting to be found and revealing the true meaning of Dee Why.
Long Reef - there were at least two separate attempts to find copper at Long Reef. Shafts were dug on the eastern face of the headland and the other on the southern side but both failed to find any copper and both mines were collapsed to prevent a cave-in.
Collaroy - originally part of Narrabeen, it's named after the ship SS Collaroy that was beached there for three years and eight months in 1881. The word Collaroy means 'fresh water reed'.
Narrabeen- Was originally charted as Narrabang or Ngarrabong was a corruption of the Aboriginal word 'ngarra' (twisted or knotted) and 'bong' (separated water). Named after the winding lake entrance to the sea that is sometimes cut off from the ocean.
Warriewood - The name came from a subdivision of the Warriewood Estate. No one knows the exact meaning but it's most probable that it's a mixture of the English word 'wood' and an Aboriginal word 'warra' (a type of swamp tree in the area) or 'warrie' (wild or untamed) as to imply the wild swampy wooded area. Part of the suburb was once known as Sheep Station Hill.
Mona Vale - Originally known as Bongin Bongin until it was named after the first farm in the area called 'Mona' meaning 'High Born' in 1858.
Bungan - Corruption of Bongin Bongin (see Mona Vale). Bongin Bongin can be translated a few ways but is likely to be named after the swamp grounds in the area of Warriewood which literally translates as 'much swampy water.'
Newport - Originally called Farrell's Beach, was named as a new port for steamers carrying cargo and passengers and carrying away local shell lime and firewood.
Whale Beach - Unknown origin - some claim it's named from the shape of the headland and others claim a whale had beached itself there.
Bilgola - Named after a corruption of the Aboriginal word 'Belgoula' or 'Belgoola' supposably meaning cabbage tree palms but translates literally into 'good water'. Some translations are 'swirling water' and ' spinning water.'
Avalon - Named in 1920 after the Arthurian legend of Avalon.
1200 acres granted to Rev. JJ Therry in 1833. Father Therry had plans for a township called Brighton. Koalas have been spotted in Avalon, able to survive in an increasingly urban environment although none recently have been sighted.
Palm Beach - Named after the cabbage tree palms abundant in the area. Was once known as Cranky Alice Beach.
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