Bar Island (New South Wales)

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Bar Island
Bar Island.jpg
View of the North-East side of Bar Island
Bar Island (New South Wales)
Geography
Location Berowra Waters, Hawkesbury River
Coordinates 33°31′35″S151°9′11″E / 33.52639°S 151.15306°E / -33.52639; 151.15306
Highest elevation20 m (70 ft)
Administration
Australia
State New South Wales
Demographics
Population0

Bar Island (previously called Goville Island [1] ) is an uninhabited island located near Berowra Waters in the Hawkesbury River on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The island is located near Bar Point and is part of the Hornsby Shire local government area.

Contents

The name Bar Island may refer to the submerged sandbar which separates the north of the island from the mainland. [2]

Transport

There are no scheduled public transport services to the island. It can only be accesssed by private boat, kayak, or water taxi. [3] There is a public jetty maintained by the Hornsby Shire Council. [4] The nearest public road is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) downstream in Mooney Mooney. [2]

Aboriginal History

It is believed that the island was once a meeting place for the Dharug, Guringai, and Darkinjung people. [4] Near the wharf is a shell midden.

Church

The church's fireplace, the only remaining structure Bar Island church 2.jpg
The church's fireplace, the only remaining structure
A plaque affixed to the ruin of the church, commemorating the church minister H.H. BRITTEN Bar Island church plaque.jpg
A plaque affixed to the ruin of the church, commemorating the church minister H.H. BRITTEN

An anglican church opened in 1876. The church building was also used by a half-time school between 1877-1892 and 1901-1903, known as Bar Point School. [5] : 8–10  The building was destroyed by a bushfire in 1906, and only the stone fireplace remains. A cottage for the Church's groundskeeper was also build in circa 1875, and remained until 1915. [4] Near the church is a slab of sandstone inscribed with H.E. BRITTEN, who is believed to have been the son of the church's minister. [4] [5] : 86 


Cemetery

A cemetry with over 58 graves has existed since at least 1879, and it is believed that the last burial was in 1906. [4] [5]

Beyond the cemetry is a modern memorial installed in 1963, which commemorates J.O. Sandell and M.J. Buckman. They were instructors from Outward Bound who drowned while trying to rescue students from the Hume Weir in Albury. [4]


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Goville Island". Hawkesbury People & Places. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 "THE ISLANDS OF OUR WATERWAYS: THE HAWKESBURY (DEERUBIN) RIVER AND BROKEN BAY". Coast Magazine. April 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "About the Bar Island". Discover Hornsby. Hornsby Shire Council. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bar Island Heritage Trail" (PDF). Discover Hornsby. Hornsby Shire Council. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Higginbotham, Edward (November 2002). PLAN OF MANAGEMENT FOR BAR ISLAND, HAWKESBURY RIVER, NEAR BROOKLYN, N.S.W – Cultural Heritage Assessment (PDF). Hornsby Shire Council. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
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