Tamarama Park has significantly more to offer the Bronte community than gorgeous views and beachside access. The area is rich with historical significance. Here’s a quick look at the history of Tamarama Park.
Prehistoric Tamarama
Tamarama received its name in the early 19th century. Is it widely believed that ‘Tamarama’ derives from the aboriginal name ‘Gamma Gamma’, which roughly translates to ‘storm’. Its prime location by the beach surrounded by rock shelters made it an ideal location for indigenous occupation.
Evidence of prehistoric settlers can be seen in the 2,000-year old engravings along the coastal walk depicting marine creatures, as well as deposits filled with the remains of ancient fireplaces and discarded shellfish shells. Because of these findings, an undisclosed chunk of Tamarama has been declared a site of archaeological significance by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Photo credit: wyncliffe/Flickr
Sydney’s First Coastal Amusement Park
The Bondi Aquarium was the first of Sydney’s coastal amusement parks, opening in 1887 before exchanging ownership and undergoing a series of revamps, renamings, and rebrandings. The chief attractions at the Tamarama amusement park were the rides, the vaudeville acts, and the aquarium creatures on display.
In 1906, the amusement park was transformed into Wonderland City which remained in operation until 1911, shutting down due to a decline in the public’s interest, not to mention expressions of discontent over the sheer scale of the park giving the community less access to the beach and the ocean. Wonderland City was then purchased by the New South Wales Government, and its site was demolished to make way for what is now known as Tamarama Park.
Photo credit: Aussie-mobs/Flickr
Tamarama Today
In memory of Wonderland Park, Tamarama established Wonderland Avenue, a residential area a short walk away from Tamarama Park. Given the beach’s busy nature, Tamarama tends to attract all sorts of visitors from various walks of life. The park has been jokingly referred to as “Glamarama” because of the frequent sightings of celebrities and other A-listers in the area.
Tamarama Park now serves as a community hub within the suburb, acting as a place where residents can walk their dogs, go on jogs and exercise, or simply take things slow with a leisurely stroll or a comfortable picnic in the park’s open space.
Originally published as “A Glimpse of the Rich History of Tamarama Beach”
