Lane Cove River
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The Lane Cove River is a tributary of the Parramatta River, Sydney, Australia. Its lower reaches form an arm of Sydney Harbour.
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[edit] Description
The Lane Cove River rises near Thornleigh and flows generally south for about 15 km.[1] The upper reaches are in a narrow, forested valley eroded into the North Shore Plateau. The middle reaches are impounded by a weir just upstream of Fullers Bridge. Sections of the valley are richly forested and are protected within the Lane Cove National Park, an area of 598 hectares,[2] formerly a State Recreation Area.
The lower reaches of the Lane Cove River -- downstream from the weir near Fullers Bridge -- are tidal and merge into Sydney Harbour at Greenwich and Woolwich. There are significant areas of mangrove communities along the shores.
The river is known for being the site of the mysterious deaths of Dr Gilbert Bogle and Margaret Chandler on January 1, 1963. The cause of their deaths has never been established; but there is a strong theory that the two deaths may have been caused by accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning, due to the build-up of the poisonous gas beneath the river bed that formed both naturally and by pollutants from nearby factories along the river. The incident has always been known as the Bogle-Chandler case.
A popular caravan park and campground known as Lane Cove River Tourist Park is located on the western side of the valley above the river.
[edit] Great North Walk
The Lane Cove River is the site of many old trails and tracks, some of which have survived from logging days. They are now used extensively for recreational purposes. Many of them have been incorporated into the Great North Walk, a long distance walking trail from Sydney to Newcastle. This trail passes along the Lane Cove River between Boronia Avenue, Hunters Hill, and Thornleigh Oval, Thornleigh.[3]
[edit] Fairyland
From 1913 to the early 1970s, the Swan family operated a picnic area called Fairyland, which was located on the banks of the river, upstream from Epping Road. The area was originally a market garden, but the family turned it into a picnic area when they realized the commercial potential. The area has now returned to nature and is contained within the Lane Cove National Park.
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[edit] Harry Smith
Harry Smith was a businessman who owned land in what is now the Marsfield area. Smith created a picnic area on the banks of the river, which has long since returned to nature, but a set of stone steps can still be seen at the top of the slopes above the river, lining up with Culloden Road. It is likely that Smith had these steps built to provide access to the picnic area. He also had a quarry in the area, from which he obtained the stone to build his mansion, Curzon Hall. The latter was built circa 1899 and is situated at the intersection of Balaclava and Agincourt Roads. The name Curzon came from his wife's family name. The building was used for various purposes over the years and is now a function centre. It is heritage-listed.[4]
[edit] Bridges
There are only four bridges which cross the Lane Cove River. These are:
- De Burghs Bridge on Metroad 3 which connects North Ryde and West Pymble.
- Fullers Bridge on State Route 29, which connects Chatswood and North Ryde.
- Epping Road on State Route 28, connecting Lane Cove to Ryde, also carrying traffic from the M2 Hills Motorway.
- Fig Tree Bridge on Burns Bay Road, which connects Lane Cove West and Hunters Hill.
[edit] References
- ^ Gregory's Sydney Street Directory (2002) Maps 221,251,252,253,283,313,314
- ^ Guide to New South Wales National Parks, National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW, 2002, p.34
- ^ Sydney and Blue Mountains Bushwalks, Neil Paton (Kangaroo Press) 2004, pp.5-30
- ^ State Heritage List
[edit] External links
- Lane Cove at the Open Directory Project
- Lane Cove National Park Website (NPSW)
- Lane Cove River Tourist Park Campground and Caravan Park http://www.lcrtp.com.au
