The trek from the Suspension Bridge to Clive Park in Northbridge is three kilometres and along the way are some interesting spots you should check out if you’re walking, cycling or driving by this area.
1. Begin at the Suspension Bridge
Originally built in 1892, this bridge that ushered the development of the northern suburbs was made of Gothic-designed sandstone towers and steel cables. It instantly became a landmark and a tourist attraction.
Twenty years later, the tramway coming from Milsons Point was extended to the Suspension Bridge. By 1936, however, the old bridge had to be closed due to corrosion. Three years later, a new bridge with a taller arch was installed but the Gothic towers were retained.
The Suspension Bridge, also known as the Long Gully Bridge or the Cammaray Bridge, has been listed with the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.
2. Spot the Memorial Clock
From the Suspension Bridge, stop by Strathallen and Cliff Avenues to view the Memorial Clock. This sandstone tower, completed in 1948, was erected as a memorial for the brave people who fought during World War II.
3. Have a Drink at the Northbridge Hotel
Head further down to Strathallen Avenue to find Northbridge’s first and only hotel at the corner of Baringa Road. Built in 1931, the aptly named Northbridge Hotel remains a bustling place where locals hang out to this day to drink, eat and unwind. It’s not just for hospitality, leisure or recreation site; it is “a Northbridge institution,” as it says on its Facebook page.
4. Visit the historical structures from Northbridge Junction to Sailors Bay Road
This is where your walk or cycle may get real busy. Sailors Bay Road is a long stretch but you can make your trip worthwhile by taking a few minutes to appreciate these historical structures in this area.
Hayhow’s Corner: The corner of Strathallen Avenue and Sailors Bay Road was known as Hayhow’s Corner because a grocery store owned by a Mr Hayhow stood there and supplied the community during the 1940s and 1950s. Across, at the junction of Sailors Bay Road and Bellambi Street was a police box where officers from North Sydney would be stationed every day to ensure peace and order. Today, this corner is filled with various establishments and offices.
6 Bellambi Street: From the junction, walk or cycle further down Bellambi Street to see house number 6. This is one of the first display homes for Northbridge and it was built in 1913.
186 Sailors Bay Road: Turn back to the direction of the Northbridge Junction and take the left to Sailors Bay Road. A few meters down is the Clavering, a heritage house built in 1923. Among the residents of this house were:
- William Henry Watson
- Miss E. Riarch, who ran a private school
- Dr. R.J. Woolcock, who had an ear, nose and throat clinic
- NSW Premiere John Brophy Renshaw
Today, the Clavering is a church house for the Uniting Church of Australia.
223 Sailors Bay Road: This is a private residence and one of the very first inter-war houses in Northbridge. Inter-war houses or single storey detached houses were common during the 1920s to late 1930s to signal the shift towards modernism despite an economically challenging period.
231 Sailors Bay Road: Cross Blight Street and walk a few doors down to see this Tudor-inspired house. This was formerly a chapel but was turned into a residential property in 1939 by Dr. Holt, a surgeon.
224 Sailor’s Bay Road | St. Philip Neri School: Across the street is the St. Philip Neri School, which had 11 students when it first opened in 1926. Formerly known as the St. Ciarian’s Primary School, this property has been recognized by the National Trust of the Willoughby Council for its architectural and artisanship.
Detour to Tunks Street: From Sailors Bay Road make a turn to Tunks Street and find the Anglican St Marks Church of England at the corner of Malacoota Road, built in 1927.
258 Sailors Bay Road: Since 2010, this has been the site of the Northbridge Library but this structure used to be a Presbyterian Church.
266 to 276 Sailors Bay Road: The first row of flats on Northbridge was built from 1928 to 1929 and it’s cited for its uniform but distinctive appearance.
288 to 296 Sailors Bay Road: This row housed the first commercial establishments in Northridge. Dubbed The Terminus back in the 1920s, this place had the butcher, the pharmacist/chemist, the hairdresser, the haberdashery, the news publication, and a sandwich shop where the locals bought their school lunches.
Northbridge Public School: Next door to the commercial site is the Northbridge Public School, which opened in 1923. It had 159 students on its first year of operation and the structure is still intact today.
5. Enjoy nature at the Northbridge Park
The Northbridge Park actually stretches to 46 hectares. Proclaimed as a dedicated recreational and leisure area in 1910 by the Council, this park covers the golf course and its clubhouse, multi-purpose courts, oval and pavilion, bike track, and bushland.
6. Head to Clive Park
Upon reaching the end of Sailors Bay Road from the park, you’ll get to Neeworra Road. If you go straight towards the rotunda, you’ll see The Knoll, which is a small reserve. However, if you take a left from Sailors Bay Road, you’ll reach Clive Park.
Clive Park has been around since the 1840s. This place used to have tea gardens and a picnic pavilion. It also has a tidal pool (rocky, ocean-water pool) and it is the home of the Northbridge Sailing Club.
