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Out & AboutClifton Gardens Clifton Gardenson Chowder Bay on Chowder BayBY ROBERT C. JOHNSTON, WRITER AND RESEARCHER BY ROBERT C. JOHNSTON, WRITER AND RESEARCHERClifton Gardens is one of the most beautiful and best kept secrets on the Clifton Gardens is one of the most beautiful and best kept secrets on the North Shore.North Shore.The sandstone inlays in the grass denotethe four corners of the old dancing hall.Submarine Miners stationed atChowder Bay protecting the harbour, c. 1890. Mines were strung across theTake your mind back in time and imagine for a moment recreational life as it would have been at this spot on a summer’s day in 1896:harbour and if an enemy ship crossed above the mine could be detonated bylife as it would have been at this spot on a summer’s day in 1896:above the mine could be detonated by underwater cable. (Photo: Australian“The picturesque stretch of sandy beach and rocky shore line called Chowderunderwater cable. (Photo: Australian War Memorial)“The picturesque stretch of sandy beach and rocky shore line called Chowder Bay is an ideal picnicking ground, for it presents almost all the advantages to visitorsWar Memorial)Bay is an ideal picnicking ground, for it presents almost all the advantages to visitors which such a resort should offer. On Saturday it was apparent that the old attractive-The dancing hall, old hotel,which such a resort should offer. On Saturday it was apparent that the old attractive- ness of the bay and Clifton Gardens had not waned, for the visitors numberedThe dancing hall, old hotel, bathing pavilion and uniqueness of the bay and Clifton Gardens had not waned, for the visitors numbered upwards of 2000 light-hearted folk young and old, all bent upon taking as muchbathing pavilion and unique circular swimming enclosureupwards of 2000 light-hearted folk young and old, all bent upon taking as much pleasure out of the day as was obtainable. Excellent music was provided for thosecircular swimming enclosure may be long gone, but thepleasure out of the day as was obtainable. Excellent music was provided for those who, light of heel as well as heart, preferred to make their pleasure in the hugemay be long gone, but the stunning bay’s ample groundswho, light of heel as well as heart, preferred to make their pleasure in the huge dancing pavilion. The elders of the company betook themselves to more sedatestunning bay’s ample grounds are appointed with covereddancing pavilion. The elders of the company betook themselves to more sedate occupations indeed, it must be said that after luncheon under the shady trees,are appointed with covered picnic areas, kiosk andoccupations indeed, it must be said that after luncheon under the shady trees, not a few indulged in a health-giving al fresco siesta. But everyone seemed to bepicnic areas, kiosk and restaurant, shade-clothednot a few indulged in a health-giving al fresco siesta. But everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the day in the manner that commended itself to him or her.”restaurant, shade-clothed children’s playground, andthoroughly enjoying the day in the manner that commended itself to him or her.”The sandstone inlays in the grass denote the four corners of the old dancing hall.Take your mind back in time and imagine for a moment recreationalc. 1890. Mines were strung across the harbour and if an enemy ship crossedSubmarine Miners stationed at Chowder Bay protecting the harbour,Fast-forward to 2016 and thechildren’s playground, and connect to walking trails leadingFast-forward to 2016 and the evocative words of that writerconnect to walking trails leading to the heritage listed militaryevocative words of that writer long ago echo through the ages,to the heritage listed military fortifications at Georges Head.long ago echo through the ages, with Clifton Gardens still holdingfortifications at Georges Head.with Clifton Gardens still holding a delightful appeal to visitors ina delightful appeal to visitors in search of a glorious day by the sea.search of a glorious day by the sea.The dance hall, circular swimmingThe dance hall, circular swimming enclosure, and bathing pavilion inenclosure, and bathing pavilion in 1910. The swimming enclosure wasSOURCES: Trove Newspaper Archive;1910. The swimming enclosure was destroyed by fire in 1956 and thedestroyed by fire in 1956 and the remaining dilapidated structuresdemolished by the mid-1960s. (Postcard: Mosman Library)SOURCES: Trove Newspaper Archive; SMH 28 Dec 1896; Mosman Library;SMH 28 Dec 1896; Mosman Library; AWM; Harbour Trust; modernremaining dilapidated structures demolished by the mid-1960s.AWM; Harbour Trust; modern photos by Robert C. Johnston.photos by Robert C. Johnston.(Postcard: Mosman Library)