Brooklyn & The River
Prior to the ‘settlement’ of British colonialists, Brooklyn and the surrounding areas were, and are, the home of the Dharug and Darkinung Nations for at least 40, 000 years. On settlement, most of the surrounding areas were usurped for agricultural purposes to sustain the burgeoning colony that was becoming the Brooklyn township.
The Hawkesbury River was officially named by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1788, but the township itself was not officially recognised until 1888, which coincided with establishment of the Post Office and the construction first Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge.
Image courtesy of Parramatta Heritage Centre.
Prior to this though, there were people occupying small parcels of land and there was a small store and the original Brooklyn Hotel (now the Angler’s Rest Hotel).
As time has gone by, Brooklyn has developed into a fishing town (both commercially and recreationally), and also as a tourism hotspot due its close proximity to Sydney.
The Angler’s Rest Hotel, previously the Hawkesbury River Railway Hotel, although not heritage listed, has deep roots in the community and is a key social fixture for local and guests.
Brooklyn and it surrounds offers a diversity of activities all set in a biologically diverse, unique ecosystem. Parts of the history of Brooklyn can be still experienced today. The River Boat Postman, active since 1910, still serves its original purpose, whilst the skippers will entertain you with stories of the rivers’ past.
Image courtesy of State LIbrary of NSW
The Hawkesbury River station and the railway bridge are heritage listed sites of significance due the high levels of engineering achievement. This achievement was a key factor in the expansion of trade, commerce which underpinned the Nation building exercise prior to Federation.
The opening of the original Brooklyn Bridge took place on May 1 1889 and was declared the greatest engineering feat undertaken in the southern hemisphere. The bridge was strengthened to carry heavier and faster trains between 1926 and 1931. In 1946 the bridge was replaced with the eight truss railway bridge that now currently carries vehicular traffic to the Brooklyn township. The remnant piers and abutments of the original bridge are still there. The steel from the original bridge was used to construct other bridges throughout the state.
The eight truss bridge that still stands, is the longest railway bridge in NSW today.
The ecosystem of The Hawkesbury River offers locals and guests an idyllic experience with its history rooted in deep time. Climatic changes over millennia have shaped the ecosystem and offers a diverse range of activities.