Pittwater Online News

Avalon Beach Camping Ground Gave a Lot of Legends to the Pittwater Community

Although the closure in 1956 could be attributed to flooding that occurred in May that year, with two severe rain events within two days washing campers and their possessions along the Careel Creek into Careel Bay, along with floods that had preceded that  - and wonder about the wisdom of allowing a camping area in what was known to be a flood zone to begin with - during the two and a bit decades it existed it provided not only a place to live for those impacted by the 1930's economic depression - when many took to canvas and caves to provide a roof for loved ones, and headed beachwards where they could fish for food - and persisted in post World War Two shortages due to a lack of homes or materials to build them with - while it was there it provided a place to call home to families whose members went on to build a community and serve in its volunteer organisations - such as the surf club - and helped establish the 'there's no them and us, it's just us and us looking after us' mien that is the backbone nature of the Avalon Beach community that persist today.

HOLIDAY AT AVALON 
By BETTY CROZIER

Rising headlands, rolling sand hills, and depths of deep blue water 1 This was the lovely impression stamped on mv mind, as I rode away from Avalon, where I had spent a jolly holiday.

AS I live the past over again, I can see two happy girls running from the shade of a colorful umbrella, down the sands, into the coolness of gigantic waves. The breakers are tumbling in, bedecked in foamy white collars, and splashing, laughing people shriek, as the giants crash on top like thunderbolts. After a refreshing surf, the girls make their way shorewards, and, throwing on beach gowns, race home across the sandhills.

Now they have come to the gate of their small cream cottage, where a cat is sleeping peacefully on the threshold, purring loudly. But, though so close to a beautiful beach, Avalon presents another picture, and the two young holiday-makers are wont to seek for adventure In a new field. 

They start out by another door, to be confronted by miles of flat paddocks, broken by towering hills In the distance. Two pairs- of eyes are sparkling with excitement, for right in front of them are numbers of horses grazing contentedly under the trees. 

Conquering their first fears, they gamely mount the bare-backed horses and, gaining confidence, ride away over the worn earthen tracks. Up, up the hill they go, and halt, to watch the water lashing angrily on the rocks below. Far out in the blue Pacific they see great ocean liners passing, bound for lands, who knows where? Then, turning In their tracks, they have races across country, enjoying the fresh air of the wide open spaces. 

For a long time thus they ride, loving every moment. They return at last along a pebbly road. They enjoy a healthy meal, and happily tumble into bed, to think of the fresh joys to-morrow holds in store for them.

(Purple Certificate to Betty Crozier, E.S.W. (14), 14 Mitchell-street, Greenwich. HOLIDAY AT AVALON (1939, April 2). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 2 (SUNBEAMS SUPPLEMENT). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231105907

Campers Will Fight To Stay

Permanent residents of the camping area at Avalon will hold a meeting to pro-test against the decision of the Warringah Shire; Council that they must leave in three months' time.

The council sent out notices last week to all owners of permanent camps on the reserve. Campers can move to sites at Palm Beach or Narrabeen, where they will pay the same fee of 15/ a week for a space 30ft by 30ft. 

The council last year abolished another camp site at North Curl Curl. 

Council employees said last week that the decision to keep permanent campers out of Avalon was an old one but that it had been hastened by the effects of the floods last year. 

The site will be reserved for genuine holiday campers for periods of two or three weeks about Christmas they said. 

UNFAIR EXCUSE

Mrs. W. Henry, who has lived in a camp at Avalon for 5 years, said yesterday that residents will fight to retain their tent properties. 

"We have spent about £300 on this place since we came here, and we will lose nearly all of it if we have to shift to Narrabeen," she said. 

Mr. Henry Harper, retired railwayman, said it was unfair that the council should use the excuse of a flood to shift campers to another site where floods were even more prevalent. 

"The floods only affect an acre in the middle of the camp site. There is plenty of room for the tents to be shifted to higher ground," he said. 

Mrs. T. Spreiikler, a Dutch-wornan who recently arrived in the settlement, said her family and another Dutch family would lose considerably if they had to shift. 

"We will fight," she said.

A PETITION

Some campers say they do not blame the council for the decision. 

"A petition was circulated in Avalon to get rid of us. A lot of pressure has been brought to bear on the council, which has always been very fair in its dealings," said one.

And Narrabeen campers are not enthusiastic about welcoming more people to the crowded grounds.

Mrs. E. Mitchell said there are 93 families and only four coppers in the laundry. "They are going night and day now, seven days a week. What we will do with more families Heaven only knows."  Campers Will Fight To Stay (1953, May 31). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18512373

When it rains these water flows through the land and old creek would flood the flat area. Avalon camping ground campers, established in the early 1930's beside Careel Creek and behind the Avalon Beach dunes, was often the site of flooded tents with residents recalling even into the 1950's seeing people catching 'floaties' along the creek to Careel Bay and the surf life saving clubhouse being called into duty to house those who suddenly found themselves without any shelter in the middle of the night. 

Careel Creek Bridge-Cement Channel-way going in, and roadway being changed heading north to Palm Beach:

TRANSPORT (DIVISION OF FUNCTIONS) ACT, 1932.

MAIN ROADS ACT, 1924-1936.

PROCLAMATION.

(L.S.)

WAKEHURST, :Governor.

I, the Eight Honourable John de Vere, Baron Wakehurst, Governor of the State of New South Wales, in the Commonwealth of Australia, with the advice of the Executive Council, and by virtue of the provisions of the Transport (Division of Functions) Act, 1932, and in pursuance of the provisions of the Main Roads Act, 1924-1936, do by this my Proclamation declare that so much of the land hereunder described as is Crown land is hereby appropriated, and so much thereof as is private property is hereby resumed under the provisions of the Public Works Act, 1912, for the purposes of the Main Roads Act, 1924-1936, and that the land hereunder described is hereby vested in the Commissioner for Main Roads, and I hereby further, declare the land hereunder described to be a public road, and, in accordance with a recommendation of the Commissioner for Main Roads, the said land is hereby placed under the control of the Council of the Shire of Warringah.

Signed and sealed at Sydney, this twenty-sixth day of May, 1937.

By His Excellency's Command,

B. S. STEVENS. 

GOD SAVE THE KING!

Description of the Land referred to.

All that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland and State of New South Wales, being part of lots 11 to 16 inclusive, deposited plan 14,883: Commencing at a point on a north-western side of Barrenjoey-road being the southernmost corner of lot 11, deposited plan 14,883 aforesaid; and bounded thence on the south-west by part of the south-western boundary of that lot bearing 318 degrees 50 minutes 14 feet 9£ inches: thence on the north-west by a marked line bearing 29 degrees 43 minutes 397 feet 9 1/2 inches to the high-water mark of Careel Creek; thence on the east by part of the highwater mark of that creek generally south-easterly to the north-western side of Barrenjoey-road aforesaid; thence on the south-east by part of that side of that road being lines bearing 235 degrees 35 minutes 261 feet 5 1/2 inches and 209 degrees 43 minutes 22 feet, to the point of commencement,—having an area of 2 roods 21 1-10th perches or thereabouts, and paid to be in the possession of A. J. Trunt, (Mrs.) E, Walshaw, H. C. Price, (Miss) N. Fillars, L. West and A. Walshaw.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland and State of New South Wales, being part of the land in Certificate of Title, register volume 3,847, folio 56 and part of the 100-ft. reservation adjoining: Commencing at a point on the high-water mark of Careel Creek bearing and distant 29 degrees 43 minutes 30 feet 9| inches from the northernmost corner of the firstly described parcel of land; and bounded thence on the north-west, west and south-west by marked lines bearing consecutively 29 degrees 43 minutes 33 feet, 26 degrees 34 minutes 40 seconds 71 feet 6} inches, 20 degrees 18 minutes 71 feet 6 1/2 inches, 14 degrees 1 minute 10 seconds 71 feet 6£ inches, 7 degrees 44 minutes 30 seconds 71 feet 6 J inches, 1 degree 27 minutes 50 seconds 71 feet 6j inches, 355 degrees 11 minutes 71 -feet 6£ inches, 348 degrees 54 minutes 20 seconds 71 feet 6£ inches, 342 degrees 37 minutes 40 seconds 71 feet 6 1/2 inches and 339 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds 612 feet 7i inches to the south-eastern -side of a road 66 feet wide; thence again on the north-west by part of that side of that road bearing 62 degrees 40 minutes 14 feet li inches to a south-western side of Barrenjoey-road; thence on the north-east and east by parts of southwestern and western sides of that road bearing 159 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds 724 feet and 174 degrees 58 minutes 40 seconds 409 feet 6| inches; thence on the south-east by marked lines bearing 282 degrees 20 minutes 50 seconds 11 feet Hi inches and 209 degrees 43 minutes 227 feet 6£ inches to the high-water mark of Careel Creek aforesaid; thence again on the south-west by the high-water mark of that creek generally north-westerly, to the point of commencement,—having an urea of 3 roods 29 9-10th perches or thereabouts, and said to he in the possession of the Council of the Shire of Warringah.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland and State of New South Wales, being part of the land in Certificate of Title, register volume 3,847, folio 56: Commencing at the intersection of a southwestern side of Barrenjoey-road with the north-western side of a road 66 feet wide bearing 339 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds and distant 66 feet 5| inches from the northernmost corner of the secondly described parcel of land; and bounded thence on the south-east by part of the north-western side of the road 66 feet wide aforesaid bearing 242 degrees 40 minutes 14 feet li inches; thence on the south-west by marked lines bearing consecutively 339 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds 596 feet 11 1/2 inches, 337 degrees 11 minutes 20 seconds 76 feet 5f inches, 332 degrees 35 minutes 30 seconds 76 feet 5£ inches, 327 degrees 59 minutes 40 seconds 76 feet 5f inches, 323 degrees 23 minutes 50 seconds 76 feet 5 1/2 inches, 318 degrees 48 minutes 76 feet 5| inches and 316 degrees 30 minutes 422 feet 2f inches to the south-eastern side of a road 66 feet wide; thence on the north-west by part of that side of that road bearing 62 degrees 40 minutes 14 feet 7 inches to the southwestern side of Barrenjoey-road aforesaid; thence on the north-east by parts of south-western sides of that road bearing 136 degrees 30 minutes 634 feet 9f inches and 3.19 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds 791 feet 10£ inches, to the point of commencement,—having an area of 2 roods 2 3-10th perches or thereabouts, and said to be in the possession of the Council of the Shire of Warringah.

And also, all that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland and State of New South Wales, being part of a road 66 feet wide: Commencing at a point on a south-western side of Barrenjoey-road being the easternmost corner of the thirdly described parcel of land; and bounded thence on the north-east by part of that side of that road bearing 159 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds 66 feet 5| inches; thence on the south-east by part of the south-eastern side of the road 66 feet wide aforesaid bearing 242 degrees 40 minutes 14 feet li inches; thence on the south-west by a marked line bearing 339 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds 66 feet 5| inches; thence on the north-west by part of the north-western side of the road 66 feet wide aforesaid bearing 62 degrees 40 minutes 14 feet li inches, to the point of commencement,—having an area of 3 4-10th perches or thereabouts. (D.M.K. No. 479-1,171) (3634) TRANSPORT (DIVISION OF FUNCTIONS) ACT, 1932. (1937, June 4). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 2129. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224751674

Volume 3,847, folio 56 is the land donated by James Young and Robert Browning (Palm Beach Land Co - follow on from Barrenjoey Land Co.) to the then council and used as a tip, filling in what had been wetlands and a mangrove area, and later used for a tennis courts area, Hitchcock Park and the Careel Bay Soccer (Playing) fields - as well as being where the Careel Creek road bridge and concrete drainage pipe was placed with works completed on March 10 1938 - this concrete drainway/roadbridge is still in place:

'Careel Creek looking south' 10.3.1938 - and road being built/widened. Item: FL3663714, courtesy NSW Records and Archives

Same concrete drain/roadway bridge - May 2025 - looking south-east from track leading to tennis courts

James Young was one of the original Directors of the Barranjoey Land Company, a relative of Mr. Wolstenholme, who was in turn a son of Maybanke Anderson. He was a barrister by profession, served as President of Ku-ring-gai Council at one time. 

The Minutes of the Warringah Shire Council  Meeting of 27th October,1924 state ''The President verbally reported having interviewed Mr. James Young and submitted a letter from Mr. Young, offering to sell his 10 ¾ acres at Careel Bay fronting Barrenjoey Road for £700 on terms, namely, £50 deposit, and the balance in annual instalments of £100 each with interest at 6 ½ % on unpaid purchase money. It was resolved, - (Crs. Hewitt, Hitchcock) That the offer be accepted and the terms approved, but that the President endeavour to arrange for a smaller deposit. ''

See: Careel Bay Playing Fields Reserve - Including Hitchcock Park:  Birds, Boots & Beauty (History page)

These photos, taken in May 1974 by John Stone, shows Old Barrenjoey Rd in flood. 

Photos courtesy John Stone and ABHS

Giles Stoddart of Avalon Honey:

I lost two of my colonies of bees when Careel Creek flooded in March 2022 during heavy rains and a king tide that meant there was nowhere for the rain to go except into people’s gardens and houses. I have a couple in North Avalon that host hives for me in their back garden, which backs on to Careel Creek. We had agreed on a location for the bees which was away from the house, and unfortunately the garden flooded very quickly before I could get there to move the hives. I was devastated and I tried to save the colony, but despite many thousands of bee surviving the flood and me giving them a new dry home with food, they never really became strong enough to survive the cooler Winter weather. 

Avalon Honey's Giles trying to save his bees:

In May 2024 the valley of Avalon and Bilgola Plateau has been reminded this week that it was once a marshy floodplain called 'Priests' Flat' alongside the beach from Kamikazee corner to the mangroves of Careel Bay and that even though those water channels may now be funnelled into concrete pipes, they may still reappear during prolonged downpours of rain.

The NSW HRLV provides under Volume 4828, Folio 108 from when Angophora Reserve was handed to the community by A J Small  - note the marked water courses, or creeks::

In February 1931 the formalisation of the dedicating the Bilgola Plateau parks from the same gentleman is recorded in Vol-Fol 4469-13, over 5 acres all up, which included some of the well-known Bilgola Plateau parks:

Note the creeks threading through these parks - the same is in the landscape at Angophora Reserve and Hudson Park (dedicated later as a public reserve, in 1957) during this era, as shown when that was formally gifted by A J Small and had the Wildlife Presrevation Society as Trustees, and in Dunbar Park, when that was gifted as well: