Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Watsons Bay

Suburb on the outermost shore of the southern side of Sydney harbour which, since colonial times, has been an important naval and civil maritime precinct, as well as a destination for Sydneysiders and tourists.

-33.832843389465, 151.28045260687

Name
Aboriginal
Kooti
Alternate
Kutti
Commemorates
Property
Administered by
Part of
Type

Watsons Bay

,
2008

Known as Kutti to the Cadigal people, Watsons Bay became crucial to the early colony's maritime life, with the signal station, pilot station and lighthouses nearby. Fishing was important too. At the same time, grand houses, hotels and public buildings were built for the upper classes. From the mid-nineteenth century, regular ferry services brought tourists and day-trippers to Watsons Bay's tea rooms, hotels and tourist attractions.

The road east

CC BY-SA 2.0
,
2011

The first track east to South Head followed the path Aboriginal people had travelled for thousands of years, but soon became a cleared road and later a paved street.