Swan Lake on the waters of Wyndella
Living at Wyndella Estate, on the Western Shores of Pittwater, is about as close you can get to experience what life was like 228 years ago, when Australia was a fledging British colony. No freeways, traffic lights, roundabouts, industrial parks or high rise buildings. No traffic noise, wailing sirens, or stressed out workers in crowded buses on their way to the office.
Just clean air and pristine blue water against a green canvas of natural forest. Frozen in time, preserved for antiquity.
Instead of trains and buses, there are ferries and an armada of small boats. Taking locals to their workplace, tradies to the job, kids to school, or people with time on their hands to explore the many uncrowded beaches and inlets or out for a days fishing.
The big screen live in action. Swan Lake on water, as yachts large and small race across a blue stage to some invisible line, to courtesy turn around and come back for the next performance. The dress circle is the point on Wyndella Estate, daily and free of charge.
When Governor Phillip sailed into Pittwater seeking to expand his colony, he was so struck with its beauty that he remarked “this is the finest waterway I have ever seen”.
And that is the way his vision, back then, remains today. So what saved the land around Wyndella Estate from the ravages of urbanisation, why did it remain green and not turn into a concrete jungle?
An extraordinary act of kindness from a Frenchman, by the name of Eccleston Du Faur. Somehow he came into possession of thousands of acres of the Western Shores. In 1894, he bequeathed his land to the people of NSW. A vision for all to enjoy forever.
Only about 160 lots were set aside for residential housing, two of them Wyndella Estate. Set on its own headland and the largest private holding on the peninsula.
There is another reason why the city hordes stayed away from this slice of heaven. 200 years ago, it was a dangerous place to be. Its hidden bays and caves, perfect hiding places for escaped convicts. Enterprising and desperate to avoid capture, they would combine with rum smugglers to run illegal alcohol from smugglers boats, up through the hills to the city pubs and taverns.
So fearful were the authorities, that boats back then would sail in groups to avoid being hijacked. Today you can still see the steel pegs, driven into rockfaces, that the smugglers would use to winch heavy rum casks to waiting drays.
The true locals in those days were the Aborigines of the Garigal clan. They lived off an abundant supply of fish, shellfish and oysters. Today, as you walk along Wyndella’s jetty to your boat, you can see thousands of those same oysters lining the rocks and pilons. Still a good feed.
Just a short minutes walk from Wyndella Estate is the heritage of the Garigal people. Rare Aboriginal rock carvings, cave art and engravings. There is also a school of arts in the hills above Wyndella.
Five minutes cruise to the other side of Pittwater and you find restaurants, shopping plazas, theatres, Bunnings and ocean beaches.
So in times of change, some things remain relatively untouched. It’s the best of both worlds.
Country living, in the city. Just 45 minutes to the Sydney CBD or, if you’re really trendy, swoop in by sea plane direct to your driveway. You’re jetty that is. I’m sure Eccleston Du Faur would agree….its a breathtaking location.
For more information or to arrange an inspection, please contact Nicolette van Wijngaarden on 0411 144 877 or nicolette@uniqueestates.com.au
