Nestled in the expansive cliffs of Bronte is Waverley Cemetery, the heritage-listed site. Built in 1877, this isn’t just the resting place of some of the most prominent personalities in New South Wales, it’s also a tourist attraction.
Visitors are often curious about this cemetery’s Edwardian and Victorian burial sites and monuments. It also has the most beautiful view of the beaches in Bronte and the neighboring suburb, Clovelly.
Every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 am, the Waverley Council and the Friends of Waverley Cemetery Volunteers hold a tour of the cemetery. There are four types of tours highlighting different facets of the Waverley Cemetery, so visitors may come back for at least three more times after their first visit.
Tickets to the Waverley Cemetery Tour have to be purchased online for $24.18 per person. The fee goes to the maintenance and restoration costs of the memorials.
A Brief History of Waverley Cemetery
The Waverley Council developed the burial ground in Bronte as the old cemetery on Brickfield Hill, now the Central Railway Station in Sydney, was nearing capacity. The Council invested in buying hectares of lands and planned the cemetery’s design, roads, fences, and drainage system from 1863 to 1875 when the actual development took place under R. Watkin and P. Beddie.
By 1877, the Waverley Cemetery had its first interment in 85-year-old Ruth Allen. To date, this burial ground has over 50,000 gravesites in its 17-hectare land. Sometimes, actual burials may be going on during the tour.
Famous Names Buried in Waverley Cemetery
Some of the most prominent personalities who have made the Waverley Cemetery their final resting place include:
- Sir Arthur Roden Cutler V.C., the former Governor of NSW
- Sir James Martin, NSW Premier
- Sir Frances Forbes, first Chief Justice of NSW
- Jules Francois Archibald, founder and editor of The Bulletin newspaper
- The Albert Family, music publishers and builders of the Boomerang mansion
- Eliza Winstanley, Australia’s first leading lady of the stage
- Sarah Fanny Durack, Olympic gold medal swimmer
- John Fingleton OBE, cricketer and “Bodyline” veteran
- Lawrence Hargrave, aviator and inventor
- Arthur Tauchert, silent movie star (“The Sentimental Bloke”)
- John Sands, greeting card manufacturer & stationer
- Henry Lawson, writer & poet
- Louise Becke, writer
- William E. Sheridan, American actor
There are also around 200 World War I and World War II heroes buried in this cemetery. A number of gravesites have creative and interesting memorials with vampires, angels and other figures chosen by the family or the deceased as their monuments.
What to Prepare For The Tour
The Waverley Cemetery doesn’t have an even ground since it’s on a ridge. The tour may not be ideal for children and people with mobility issues. Expectedly, there’s a lot of walking involved, so visitors must be dressed in their comfortable shoes and clothes, as well as bring appropriate drinking water.
Upon arrival to the site, visitors must first converge at the Cemetery Office Entry Porch coming from Trafalgar Street. Brochures and packets will be provided.
Weekday tours may also be possible, as per arrangement with Council.
