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Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney
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The Gap

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

The Gap

Locality

Sandstone ocean cliff at South Head, adjacent to Watsons Bay.

-33.842879396404, 151.28435174102

Type

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The Gap

by

Robin Derricourt

,

2008

Famed for its ocean views, the Gap has been a tourist attraction since the beginning of European settlement. It has also been the site of many suicides, and an important site of military installations.

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Mentioned in

Balgowlah Heights Dunbar shipwreck Gay men HMAS Watson South Head Watsons Bay

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Locality

The Gap

Famed for its ocean views, the Gap has been a tourist attraction since the beginning of European settlement. It has also been the site of many suicides, and an important site of military installations.

Derricourt, Robin

Robin Derricourt is a Sydney writer and publisher

Entrance to Port Jackson 1857

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By

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[a928069 / V1/Har/S Hd /2]

(Mitchell Library)

The Sailor Rescued 1857

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By

George French Angas

Contributed By

National Library of Australia

(from 'A Narrative of the melancholy wreck of the "Dunbar", merchant ship, on the south head of Port Jackson, August 20th, 1857 : with illustrations of the principal localities' Sydney, Published for the proprietors by James Fryer, 1857)

The Gap, South Head c1870

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By

George Penkivil Slade

Contributed By

National Library of Australia

[nla.pic-an6453001]

The Gap, Watsons Bay c1880

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From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[a089888 / SPF/888]

(Mitchell Library)

The Gap 1880s

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From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

(Mitchell Library)

Watsons Bay cliffs c1958

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By

Contributed By

National Museum of Australia

[Slide 182, via NMA's Flickr set]

(Raymond Morris Collection, courtesy of the photographer)

Balgowlah Heights

Home to the coastal Aboriginal people, much of Balgowlah Heights was virgin bushland until the early-twentieth century. Until this time the area mainly comprised public reserves and harbour defences, until the bush finally gave way to the backyard.

Dunbar shipwreck

In stormy weather, in the dark, after 81 days at sea, the Dunbar hit the rocks below The Gap, breaking up immediately. All but one on board were drowned, in one of the worst disasters in Sydney's history.

Gay men

Long demonised and persecuted, gay men have been part of Sydney life since first settlement. Two centuries have seen attitudes and perceptions change dramatically.

HMAS Watson

The site of many Aboriginal carvings, HMAS Watson has been part of Sydney's military defences since 1854.

South Head

Used by Aboriginal people as a base for settlement, fishing, shellfish collection, art and associated rituals, South Head became the landmark of arrival at Sydney after European settlement. A lookout, signal station, lighthouse and fortifications were built there at different times, to keep ships from shipwreck and to protect the settlement. It is now a series of parks.

Watsons Bay

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.