Resort-style living in the heart of Sydney
About
The Wallumedegal or Wallumattagal clan were the traditional owners of the land around Hunters Hill. The name was derived from either the word for snapper fish or after the spiny rush plant which grows prolifically in the area. Their language was known as Darug, and they possibly referred to the area as Moco Boula, meaning two waters, specifically the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers which lie on each side of the peninsula.
The smallpox epidemic in 1789, brought by Europeans, is thought to have virtually wiped out the local Aboriginal population. The several dozen archaeological sites spread around the municipality are not well-known, and their exact whereabouts have been generally kept secret to keep them safe and secure from overzealous enthusiasts and to deter vandalism.
After colonisation, when the area was settled by European settlers, they called the area Tarban as it is situated on the peninsula between Tarban Creek and the Parramatta River. There are some beautiful historic buildings in the area, including The Priory and the now closed Banjo Paterson Restaurant, a quaint sandstone house built in the 1830s, and once the house of Banjo Paterson. The Priory was the only heritage listed building on the northern side and was owned by the Marist Fathers. (picture of the Priory)
The site that became known as Huntleys Cove was previously the northern side of Gladesville Mental Hospital (formerly known as the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum). Around 25 years ago this site was sold to developers. The development was named "Botanic Cove" and was built on the high side of the terrain overlooking Hunters hill.
Today Huntleys Cove is a convenient suburb close to Sydney city. Riverside Girls High School is across Victoria Road. Huntleys Cove has an express bus service running to the city, and Henley Point Wharf is 5 minutes away, ferrying passengers up and down the Parramatta River. Huntleys Cove is connected to Riverglade Reserve, where you can walk along Tarban Creek, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Children play soccer on the Riverglade Reserve playing fields and students from St Joseph’s College use the rowing shed on Tarban Creek.
A Brief History of Hunters Hill – HUNTERS HILL MUSEUM