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The Windybank Family
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DescriptionThe first home of Edward Windybank at Waratah Bay reflects the isolation and rugged terrain of the area in the 1890's.
Photo: Mavis Windybank
Edward Windybanks was employed on the construction of the railway line through Berowra in 1886/87. He saw Cowan Creek from Berora and made his way down through the bush to the water. He was boat-builder and Waratah Bay obviously appealed to him. He could not buy the land he wanted to put so much work into but he was later granted a life-long lease.
While he lived in a cave on the hillide, he gathered timber for a house and boatshed. He would row to Brooklyn for materials, a distance of 12 miles. He formed a rough original track up to Berowra sometime before 1892.
To begin with, he only had rowboats to hire. By 1894 he had a hut, a jetty and thirty boats for hire. Then he built houseboats to let as holiday homes and these were very popular.
Edward and his wife Alice Windybank raised a family of 7 at Waratah Bay.Although 'Old Windy' named it Waratah Bay, as it became famous his name became a byword for it. To this day the spot is known as Windybanks. [Mick Joffe pp68-69]
Photo: Mavis Windybank
Edward Windybanks was employed on the construction of the railway line through Berowra in 1886/87. He saw Cowan Creek from Berora and made his way down through the bush to the water. He was boat-builder and Waratah Bay obviously appealed to him. He could not buy the land he wanted to put so much work into but he was later granted a life-long lease.
While he lived in a cave on the hillide, he gathered timber for a house and boatshed. He would row to Brooklyn for materials, a distance of 12 miles. He formed a rough original track up to Berowra sometime before 1892.
To begin with, he only had rowboats to hire. By 1894 he had a hut, a jetty and thirty boats for hire. Then he built houseboats to let as holiday homes and these were very popular.
Edward and his wife Alice Windybank raised a family of 7 at Waratah Bay.Although 'Old Windy' named it Waratah Bay, as it became famous his name became a byword for it. To this day the spot is known as Windybanks. [Mick Joffe pp68-69]
Location
Building NameEdward WindybankWaratah Bay
Waratah BayClick on the image to add
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The Windybank Family. Hornsby Shire, accessed 20/04/2026, https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/5321