Woodman Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodman Point Regional Park |
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Woodman Point Quarantine Station
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| Type | Regional park |
| Location | Coogee, Western Australia |
| Area | 54 ha (130 acres) |
| Established | 1997 |
| Administered by | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions |
Woodman Point is a piece of land that sticks out into the Indian Ocean on the west coast of Western Australia. It's located in the Perth suburb of Coogee. This spot is about 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of the city of Perth. It's also 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Fremantle.
The waters north of Woodman Point are called Owen Anchorage. To the south, you'll find Jervoise Bay. Woodman Point marks the northern end of Cockburn Sound.
The entire area of Woodman Point is part of the Woodman Point Regional Park. This park covers 54 hectares (133 acres). It has lots of fun things to do, like parklands, playgrounds, and jetties. There's also a caravan park for visitors. The park also holds important historical sites. These include a World War II prisoner-of-war camp and old munitions bunkers.
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Discovering Woodman Point's Past
Woodman Point got its name from Thomas Woodman. He was with Captain James Stirling in 1827. They explored the Swan River together. When Stirling came back in 1829 with the first settlers, Woodman Point was one of the first landmarks they saw.
The Old Quarantine Station
In the 1880s, a quarantine station was built here. Its purpose was to keep new immigrants separate from the community. This was done to stop diseases like smallpox, bubonic plague, and Spanish influenza from spreading. These diseases were common in Europe, the Americas, and Asia at the time.
The quarantine station was used on and off until about 1979. After it closed, its buildings were listed as important historical sites in 1999. These buildings included dormitories and offices, plus a crematorium. Today, the dormitories and most other buildings are used by school groups and other visitors. They are now known as the Woodman Point Recreation Camp.
Horse Racing History
Horse racing was popular at Woodman Point very early on. The first races happened here in 1833. By the mid-1880s, big racing events were held regularly. People from Fremantle would travel by steamboat or yacht to watch the races. They would also enjoy picnics.
The Fremantle Jockey Club took over the racecourse in 1894. They had a lease for 99 years starting in 1899. The racecourse was kept in great shape. It had flat, wide straight sections planted with grass. A windmill helped water the course. The club also built 24 horse stalls.
People wanted the railway line to be extended to Woodman Point. This would make it easier to get to the races. But this never happened. Because of this, the area became less popular for racing. In 1903, the government decided to use the land for a new explosives storage area. The railway line was finally extended then.
Other Uses of Woodman Point
Woodman Light
The Woodman Light is a lighthouse built in 1902. It stands on a small hill near Cockburn Road. Stone cottages are also nearby. These were once home to the lighthouse keepers.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
In 1966, the State Electricity Commission built a wastewater treatment plant at Woodman Point. This plant cleaned dirty water. A new plant was built in 1984 in a different spot, also at Woodman Point.
Munitions Storage Site
There are old munitions bunkers in the park. These were used to store explosives until the 1980s. The facility was then closed down. The explosives were moved to a new location further south. By that time, the Navy also had its own storage facility. This was at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
Railway Line for Munitions
A special railway line used to run to the munitions storage area. It went past Coogee Beach to South Fremantle. From there, it connected to the Port of Fremantle. This port was a major naval base during World War II. The munitions storage area had to be removed later. This allowed the land nearby to be developed into the suburb of Coogee.
In the 1980s, there was a plan for a tourist railway center at Woodman Point. However, this plan never happened.
Images for kids
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Panorama looking south over Woodman Point.
