Audley historic recreational complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Audley historic recreational complex |
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The boatshed within the recreational complex, pictured in 2007.
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| Location | Sir Bertram Stevens & Audley Road, Audley, Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1879– |
| Owner | Office of Environment and Heritage |
| Official name: Audley historic recreational complex | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 976 |
| Type | Picnic Ground/ Recreation reserve |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
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Audley historic recreational complex is a special place in Audley, New South Wales, Australia. It's a heritage-listed area where people have enjoyed nature and fun activities for a long time. This complex started being built in 1879. Today, the Office of Environment and Heritage looks after this important site. It was officially recognized as a heritage site on April 2, 1999.
Contents
History of Audley
First People of the Land
Long before European settlers arrived, the Dharawal tribe lived in the Audley area. They were the original custodians of this land. The Dharawal people were skilled at using the rich resources from the rivers and the sea. They lived in the area for long periods, especially in summer. We know this from signs they left behind. These include shell middens (piles of shells from their meals), rock shelter deposits, burial sites, and rock engravings. There are also rock art and axe-grinding grooves. These show how they lived and used the land.
European Settlement and the Park's Beginning
In March 1796, explorers Bass and Flinders first explored this area. However, it wasn't used much by Europeans at first. The land wasn't good for farming animals. There were only a few attempts to cut timber.
In April 1879, the land became "Royal Park." It was set aside for the New South Wales Zoological Society. This group wanted to bring in plants and animals that were not native to Australia. Work on the park began in 1880. This included clearing land and building dams. By 1883, a dam across the Hacking River created a lake-like area. This was perfect for pleasure boats. Boating became one of the most popular activities at Audley.
The Audley Camp and Early Facilities
In 1884, the main camp was set up where the Hacking River and Kangaroo Creek meet. It was named "Audley." This name honored Lord Audley, who had surveyed the area in 1864.
The camp first had a dock, a boat house, and a jetty. There was also a wooden pavilion, stables, and storage areas. Other buildings included outhouses, a smithy (for metalwork), and a forge. Paddocks were fenced for animals. Soon after, more paddocks were added. Bridges, culverts (small tunnels for water), new cottages for workers, and a boat slip were built next.
Planting of beautiful trees began very early. This continued until 1890. Some trees planted included Red Cedar, Catalpa Oaks, Moreton Bay Figs, and Lilli-pilli. Between 1887 and 1889, many unemployed men helped clear large areas of land. To pay for the park, people tried to use its natural resources. They tried to get coal, clay, gravel, timber, grass, and oysters. However, these efforts were mostly not successful.
Making the Park Visitor-Friendly
From 1891 to 1893, the park focused on welcoming visitors. Land along the river was cleared and planted with grass. Signs were put up to guide people. A bridge was built over Kangaroo Creek. An aviary (a large bird enclosure) was also constructed.
Other improvements included placing rustic tables around the park. Facilities for hiring boats were built. There was also a public kitchen and a windmill to supply water. Accommodation for 30 guests was made available. This guest house was first called the public pavilion. Then it was known as "The Rest." For most of its history, it was called "Allambie House." In 1893, the first guide book for the park was published. Visitor facilities got even better in 1895 when toilets were added. The next year, a refreshment room was built.
Changes in the Twentieth Century
In 1903, the way the park was managed changed. There was a new focus on using the park's resources. A sawmill was built to cut timber from parts of the forest. During this time, weekend camps were allowed in the park.
During the Great Depression, many people who had lost their homes came to live in the park. They were called "squatters" because they lived there without permission. They used the park's resources to survive. Some even sold wildflowers, timber, and soil. By 1933, 34 such camps were found at Audley. Efforts were made to remove these camps. However, eight of them still remained by 1941.
World War II stopped new developments at Audley. But after the war, money became available to update the park's facilities. Roads had to be repaired because of damage from army training in the park. Buildings that had been neglected during the war were fixed up. In 1954, Queen Elizabeth approved adding "Royal" to the park's name.
A New Approach to Park Management
In 1967, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) was formed. This changed how the park was managed. Before, a special Trust controlled it. The Trust stayed on as an advisory group. The NPWS brought a new idea for managing the park. Their goal was to return the park to its natural state. This meant cars were restricted. Many huts and old buildings were removed. The ornamental gardens were no longer kept up.
From the very beginning, the park's main purpose was to offer fun activities for city people. But as the conservation movement grew from the 1920s, this idea slowly changed.
In 1973, the Allambie House kiosk and the swimming pool kiosk were taken down. Two years later, Allambie House itself burned down. More structures at Audley continued to be removed throughout the 1970s. In 1979, a new office for managing the park was built at Loftus Heights. This replaced a temporary office in the old Dance Hall. Landscaping, path building, and facility upgrades continued from the previous year. A new kiosk was built on the picnic flat in 1980.
Heritage Listing
Audley historic recreational complex was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is recognized as an important historical site that needs to be protected.
