Narrabeen, New South Wales

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Narrabeen
Sydney, New South Wales

Population: 6,362[1]
Postcode: 2101
Location: 23 km (14 mi) north of Sydney CBD
LGA: Pittwater Council,Warringah Council
Suburbs around Narrabeen:
Elanora Heights North Narrabeen Warriewood
Belrose Narrabeen Tasman Sea
Cromer Collaroy Plateau Collaroy

Narrabeen is a beachside suburb in northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Narrabeen is located 23 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district and is one of the Northern Beaches. Narrabeen sits across the local government areas of Pittwater Council and Warringah Council.

There are four beaches along the Narrabeen stretch of beach, North Narrabeen, Narrabeen, South Narrabeen and Collaroy beach. Although Collaroy is a separate suburb, its beach lies along the same stretch. All beaches have their own Surf Life Saving Club. There is also a lagoon at Narrabeen.

Contents

[edit] History

Narrabeen is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word Narrabine meaning swan. In December 2007, workmen excavating around the bus shelter near Octavia St. found the remaines of a human body, which subsequent investigation revealed to be the remains of a 4000 year old Indigenous Australian who had died after being speared as a punishment. He was named the Narrabeen Man after the suburb where he was discovered. His bones will be buried in nearby Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in 2008..[2]

There are differing theories on how Narrabeen was named though. Captain Henry Reynolds, a first fleeter settled in the area with his family. They were killed during an attack by bushrangers and his homestead burned. The popular belief is that the location was then named after a young Aboriginal girl Narrabine, who lived near the lake, who helped soldiers capture the escaped convicts involved in the massacre.

Another theory is that on January 26 1801, Lieutenant James Grant and a party of three were walking to Pittwater, where they hoped to find a small rowing boat which had been stolen from Sydney. According to Grant's journal, at the mouth of the lagoon, he was confronted with the problem of crossing a stream, which the Aborigines told him was called Narrowbine . James Meehan mentions Narrowbang lagoon in his survey in 1815. It has also been suggested that the name could have been derived from Narrabin, a native plant growing near the lake entrance or narrow beans eaten by early explorers.

The first land grants were made to John Lees, 40 acres, Philip Schaffer, 50 acres, and James Wheeler, 80 acres, along the south bank of Mullet Creek. Alex Macdonald was granted 80 acres at the beach in 1815 and west of this land JT Collins had 93.5 acres by 1857. [3]

During the nineteenth century travellers had to ford the lake until 1880 when the first bridge opened. A second bridge at the mouth of the lagoon in Ocean Street was built in 1925.

With the extension of the tram to Narrabeen in 1913 providing easier transport, the whole area around the lake became popular for holidays and camping. A large camping ground became established on the north shore of the lagoon. In 1946 the Wakehurst Parkway was opened to North Narrabeen connecting the whole Pittwater area directly to Frenchs Forest and Seaforth.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Sport and Recreation

The Sydney Institute of Sport is based in Narrabeen and has recently become the headquarters of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league club. North Narrabeen beach is commonly used for surfing competitions.

[edit] Pop Culture

Narrabeen beach is mentioned in the hit song Surfin' USA, made famous by the Beach Boys. This can be heard in the first chorus line of the song: Santa Cruz and Trestles, Australia's Narrabeen, All over Manhattan, And down Doheny way. [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). Narrabeen (State Suburb). 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
  2. ^ Sabra Lane. "Speared man unearthed after 4,000 years", ABC News, 21/12/2007. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. (English) 
  3. ^ The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled by Frances Pollen, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia ISBN 0-207-14495-8
  4. ^ Surfin' USA Lyrics

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Suburbs and Localities of Pittwater Council | Northern Beaches | Sydney
List of Sydney suburbs
v • d • e
Suburbs of Warringah Council | Northern Beaches | Sydney
List of Sydney suburbs
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