AGHS Sydney - Yurulbin -A "Green Necklace" Harbour Park Walk

USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS RECOMMENDED AS PARKING IS VERY LIMITED.

(BUS to Birchgrove Oval or FERRY to Birchgrove)

Continuing the “Threading the Jewels’ series on the AILA Landscape Heritage nominations, hosted by the AGHS Sydney Branch, join Christine Hay and Stuart Read for a stroll around this Birchgrove headland as they guide us to unfold its secrets.

A long narrow headland on the harbour’s southern shores, Yurulbin (its Indigenous name recorded in 1832) has continuing significance to First Nations people. Known as Long Nose Point Park, its landform was modified as part of coopering and ship building industries on Sydney’s working harbour. In the 1960s its potential as parkland was recognised by planner Nigel Ashton, Chairman of the State Planning Authority (SPA) and Lindsay Robertson, the first Landscape Architect for the authority, whose inspiration ensured its purchase. Bruce Mackenzie, at the forefront of Landscape Architecture in Australia, designed its landscape scheme in 1973-76 for the SPA and Leichhardt Municipal Council. With a desire to create informal recreational parklands, Mackenzie’s theme took cues from surviving harbour bushland such as Balls Head opposite.

A revegetated ‘bush park’ on the harbour, Yurulbin is a re-imagining of a lost Indigenous landscape. It also retains recycled remains of its European colonial maritime industry – wharf structures, terracing, footings. It is a continuation of Mackenzie’s work at Iloura Reserve (Peacock Point), East Balmain in 1970. These two ‘alternative parklands’ were radical, a departure from formality. And set a lot of ideas on end about inner city and modern parks. They were influential and much copied. Both went on to win design awards.

Yurulbin meaning ‘fast flowing water,’ is located at one of Sydney Harbour’s narrowest points. The views across the harbour take in other significant landscapes of the Green Necklace recognised by the AILA study. Badangi (Berry Island and the Wollstonecraft Foreshores), State heritage listed in 2023, Balls Head Reserve, recently on public exhibition for listing, and Berrys Bay Reserve (Carradah Park) and Ballast Point Park, both recently State listed. In the western harbour, these headlands centre on Me-mel, listed on the State heritage register as Goat Island, a significant place for Aboriginal people.

The AGHS has made submissions in support of the State heritage listing of Yurulbin and all AILA Green Necklace Sydney Harbour listings.

After our visit to Yurulbin Reserve we’ll continue to Birchgrove Oval, a 5-minute walk to an intriguing locally significant park (entering at its northern end). A public reserve from 1881, the mudflats of Snails Bay were reclaimed for its large sports oval. It is associated with Birch Grove House and grounds (c. 1810), and leading members of 19^th century colonial society. Although demolished in 1967, early plantings and retaining walls contribute to the Park’s distinctive character and setting. The park has historical interest for sport enthusiasts of cricket, tennis and rugby league. We’ll circuit the park, returning to our entry point, to finish our tour with a waterside stroll to appreciate views of the tranquil bay and harbour beyond.

Christine Hay is the principal of Circle Square Design, an award-winning consultancy specialising in landscape architecture and heritage assessment. A Registered Landscape Architect (2007) with a Masters in Heritage Conservation (2016), she has held roles in government and private practice, including as a Senior Heritage Officer at Heritage NSW (2017-2023) and Project Manager for the AILA study. Her work encompasses cultural landscape assessment, conservation management plans (CMPs), and stakeholder engagement. A former Chair of the Sydney Branch, Christine is a member of the AILA Advocacy Group, National Trust Cemeteries Conservation Committee, and Metropolitan Memorial Parks Heritage Advisory Committee.

Stuart Read, Chair of the AGHS Sydney Branch, is a landscape and garden historian, horticulturist, heritage bureaucrat, tour leader and educator. His interests include environmental history, economic botany, landscape design history, dendrology, plant movement and public parks. Current research interests are neglected landscape designers (William Guilfoyle, Jocelyn Brown, Paul Sorensen), forgotten past garden design elements (grottoes, ha-has, laid hedges), war memorial avenues and other commemorative tree plantings.

AGHS Members $20, Non Members $30, Full Time Students $5

Members are advised the parks have many stairways, steps, ramps and uneven surfaces. A hat, suitable footwear, water and sunscreen are recommended.

Meeting Point: At the harbour end of Louisa Road, Birchgrove above the ferry wharf steps. Arrive around 1:45 for a 2 PM start

Clicking on the 'Get Directions' button below should display a map of the location.

For further details, contact Jan Churcher  0422 742 106  janchurcher2013@gmail.com