Hen and Chicken Bay facts for kids
Hen and Chicken Bay is a beautiful bay located on the Parramatta River in the inner-west area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 8 kilometres (5 miles) west of Sydney's main city centre. Many suburbs surround this bay, including Abbotsford, Drummoyne, Wareemba, Five Dock, Canada Bay, Concord, and Cabarita.
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Exploring Hen and Chicken Bay
Hen and Chicken Bay is quite large, and it has several smaller bays or inlets that have their own names. If you go around the bay clockwise from the south, you'll find Kings Bay, Canada Bay, Exile Bay, and France Bay.
How the Bays Got Their Names
The names Canada, Exile, and France Bays have an interesting history. They were named after special camps set up in the area. These camps were used to hold people who were involved in the Lower Canada Rebellion. This rebellion happened in the 1830s in what is now Canada. People who were part of the rebellion were sent to Australia as convicts.
Early Names for the Bay
In the very early days of the New South Wales colony, Hen and Chicken Bay was sometimes called Stonequarry Cove or Stone Quarry Creek. This name might have come from a stone quarry that was once located nearby in the suburb of Five Dock.
Fun Activities at the Bay
Much of the land around Hen and Chicken Bay is open to the public. You can find many foreshore areas and parks perfect for a day out. The bay is a very popular spot for rowing races, where teams compete in long, narrow boats.
Water Safety and Community
Hen and Chicken Bay is also home to the Hen & Chicken Bay SLSC. This is a volunteer group that helps teach people about water safety. They sometimes patrol the waterways to keep everyone safe. The club was started by local people, including Trevor Folsom, who wanted to share important water safety tips both locally and around the world. They have even traveled to different countries to connect with similar clubs. The group is currently working to raise money for a permanent clubhouse right on the bay.
