Obelisk Beach facts for kids
Obelisk Beach is a quiet beach located in Mosman, New South Wales, Australia. It is part of Obelisk Bay.
This beach is found on the southern side of Middle Head within Sydney Harbour. It is also part of the beautiful Sydney Harbour National Park.
History of Obelisk Beach
Before Europeans arrived in 1788, the land around Obelisk Beach was home to Indigenous Australians. These people spoke the Guringai language. Many ancient Aboriginal sites can still be found in the bushland near Georges Head. Sadly, a disease called smallpox came with the European settlers. By 1795, the number of Aboriginal people living on the northern side of Sydney Harbour had dropped by a lot, sometimes as much as 90%.
In 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie gave a special title to an important Aboriginal leader named Bungaree. He called him "Chief of the Broken Bay Tribe." Bungaree also received about 15 acres (60,700 square metres) of land on George’s Head. People also knew him as "King of Port Jackson" and "King of the Blacks."
Bungaree spent his life welcoming visitors to Australia. He also taught people about Aboriginal culture, like how to throw a boomerang. He would often ask for gifts from ships visiting Sydney. Bungaree and his family used to keep a fishing boat right on Obelisk Beach.
In the early 1900s, artists like Herbert Reginald Gallop painted beautiful pictures of the beach. It was also a very popular spot for people to have picnics.
About the Beach
Obelisk Beach is about 100 metres long. It is a bit hidden away, offering lovely views of Sydney Harbour. Many tourists do not know about this beach. However, locals in the Mosman area enjoy its peaceful atmosphere.
The beach usually has very few visitors. This makes it a quiet and calm place to relax. People who visit Obelisk Beach are often respectful and friendly. They enjoy the open and welcoming setting.
How to Get There
If you are driving, there is a public car park. It is located where Middle Head Road and Chowder Bay Road meet. You can park your car there.
From the car park, walk south along Chowder Bay Road. After about 20 metres, you will see a clear footpath on your left. Follow this path for another 30 metres. You will go down some stone steps and quickly arrive at the beach.
You can also take a bus to the beach's car park. Bus Route 244 stops directly there. The bus usually comes every 30 to 45 minutes on weekdays. For the most up-to-date bus times, you can visit the website 131500.info. Just type "Obelisk Beach" into their Trip Planner. You can also call their free hotline at 131 500 for help with planning your trip.
