Located approximately 2 km’s North of Sydney’s CBD and covers an area of approximately 0.2 km².
Being only a small area located between McMahons Point and Milsons Point, notable residents include Sir Donald Bradman who one of the first few Australians to get a private telephone number while living in Bay View Street. Artist Norman Lindsay lived at 'Heidelberg' at 9 Bay View Street; another artist, John Firth-Smith, occupied this same house many decades later.
Whilst there is a public wharf located in the bay, it only provides access to private vessels and there are no ferries that stop here. Access to the city and beyond is by bus or by foot to the nearest train stations being Milsons Point or North Sydney. On 30 May 1915 the first Lavender Bay railway station was opened to replace the original Milsons Point station which was located only 300 metres north. This only lasted seven weeks, as passengers refused to alight here and demanded that trains stop at Milsons Point. They discovered that it was easier to stay on the train until it reached Milsons Point and then alight. The walk from Milsons Point platforms was almost level because it was a terminal station. During the harbour bridge construction, Lavender Bay Station was the terminus for the North Shore Line. The area is now railway storage sidings.
Whilst many of the present day apartment buildings access to swimming pools, the Lavender Bay Baths (1910), located in the area beside the ferry wharf, were once popular with swimmers. Alternatively, Lavender Bay Parklands comprise of Clark Park to the east, Watt Park to the west, Quibaree Park to the south and the Lavender Bay foreshore. The Lower Walker Street Steps and the King George Street Road Reserve are also part of the Parklands, as is Wendy's Garden, an area of state rail land situated below Clark Park, currently leased to Council for the purposes of public open space. All Lavendar Bay Parklands are located within easy walking distance of the North Sydney CBD, North Sydney station, Milsons Point station and Milsons Point ferry wharf.
Significant features of the Parklands include elements of heritage significance, spectacular harbour views, mature tree plantings and direct access to Sydney Harbour. A narrow strip of waterfront land functions as an important pedestrian and cycle link between Quibaree Park and Luna Park, with the Harbour Bridge and Bradfield Park beyond. It consists of a broad timber boardwalk, associated green space (including the recently upgraded Art Barton Park) and sculpture gardens. The area provides expansive views over the harbour, to Luna Park and to the city.
Prior to European settlement and well into the 19th century the Quibaree Clan, part of the larger Kuring-gai Tribe, occupied Lavender Bay. The bay, previously known as both Hulk Bay, after the convict hulk moored there, Phoenix Bay, the name of the convict hulk moored there and and Quiberee Bay, an Aboriginal word meaning a fresh spring of water. Finally, Lavender Bay stuck, taking its name after the Boatswain (bosun), George Lavender.
References
Wikipedia
Dictionary of Sydney
North Sydney Council
Mosman Council
www.sydney.com
Trip Advisor
www.kirribilli.org.au/
www.weekendnotes.com
sydney travellers guide