Geological History

Governor Phillip Park is located on a sandy tombolo linking the mainland to Barrenjoey Headland that was formed 6,000 to 8,000 years ago.It is thought that the tombolo has probably been breached by the sea during severe storms at least twice in the last 200 years, which resulted in beach erosion. 

Aboriginal History

Barrenjoey provided the Ku-ring-gai people with plentiful fish, shells, seals and marine life of the waters and well stocked hunting lands along the peninsulas and foreshores of the region. 

The features of Palm Beach and Barrenjoey that are attractive for recreation now are also likely to have been attractive to the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area that is, open to the north with long hours of warm sunshine, relatively protected from cooler southerly winds, and close proximity to protected shallow waters off Station Beach that were plentiful with shellfish.

The Barrenjoey Peninsula and Pittwater Heritage Study (McDonald McPhee Pty Ltd. and Craig Burton, 1989) reviewed the archaeological record of the northern Sydney region and found that the number of Aboriginal sites adjacent to the Broken Bay estuary was greater than areas further upstream or inland. The implications of this for the Barrenjoey Peninsula / Pittwater area was that the number of sites prior to land development was relatively dense.

Much evidence of Aboriginal sites on Barrenjoey Peninsula has now been obliterated, however Aboriginal use of the sand barrier in the 19th century is suggested by the remains of clay pipes and shards found with midden scatters.

Aboriginal Sites

Formal records that are available of Aboriginal sites detail only a small number of sites within Governor Phillip Park. It is not unlikely that there are more Aboriginal sites in the area than are currently recorded, and it will be important that any proposed redevelopment of areas within the park are undertaken with this possibility in mind. Various midden scatters were found in the sand dunes in the northern area of Governor Phillip Park in 1982 and 1983 (site 45-6-1433 in the NPWS Site register). Recommendations by Byrne (1984) included two middens that should not be disturbed unless this would seriously undermine the success of the dune stabilisation plan, and 7 middens might be disturbed or destroyed, if this is essential to the success of the dune stabilisation plan. Under the National Parks and Wildlife Service Act 1974, it is illegal to disturb or destroy any of the midden occurrences without permission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. If Council seeks consent it would be required to submit an application for Consent to Destroy Relics under Section 90 of the Act. 

European History

Governor Phillip first explored this area by water in March 1788, and at this time he named Pittwater, the finest piece of water I ever saw… and which I honoured with the name Pitt Water. (Governor Phillip dispatch 1788) he stayed overnight on the shores of Pittwater, but the exact sites are not known. Since that time the park area has undergone changes in ownership, land use and ecology. 

Some former uses of the park include, lighthouse keepers and customs officers accommodation, a school, golf course, caravan park and camping ground. This park appears to have been named in 1952.

The interesting and colourful history of Governor Phillip Park should be protected and interpreted.The affected lands were the subject of a Crown grant and as this is inconsistent with the continued right to enjoy native title, it is considered that native title, if it exists, has been extinguished.

European Heritage Sites

Governor Phillip Park is listed in the Pittwater LEP 1993 as a Heritage Conservation Area under C.1 Barrenjoey Conservation, Barrenjoey Headland and Sand Area Isthmus.

Historical sites identified within Governor Phillip Park are:

• Lightkeeper's Quarters: In 1868, two white painted wooden beacons with oil-burning lights were erected on the headland and tended by Light Keepers who lived in cottages located near the present 6th tee of the Palm Beach Golf Course.
• Boatman's Quarters: The original dwelling was replaced in 1989 by a new building with three bedrooms, described as âââ??¬Åâ??Broken Bay Boatman's Quarters" were also located within the sand dune area of the park.
• The unmarked grave of an unknown pioneer settler is located adjacent to the fence of the walkway from Station Beach to the ocean beach. The grave was marked on a survey plan in 1877. However, no evidence of this site remains today. 
• Picnic Shelter sheds

Governor Phillip Park is subject to the provisions of the Heritage Act 1977 to conserve heritage sites and items.