Lane Cove River
Encyclopedia
The Lane Cove River is a tributary of the Parramatta River
, Sydney, Australia. Its lower reaches form an arm of Sydney Harbour
.
and flows generally south for about 15 km. The upper reaches are in a narrow, forested valley eroded into the North Shore Plateau. The middle reaches are impounded by a weir just upstream of Fullers Bridge
. Sections of the valley are richly forested and are protected within the Lane Cove National Park
, an area of 598 hectares, formerly a State Recreation Area.
The lower reaches of the Lane Cove River -- downstream from the weir near Fullers Bridge -- are tidal and merge into Sydney Harbour at Greenwich
and Woolwich
. There are significant areas of mangrove
communities along the shores.
The river is known for being the site of the mysterious deaths of Dr Gilbert Bogle and Margaret Chandler on January 1, 1963. The cause of their deaths has never been established; but there is a strong theory that the two deaths may have been caused by accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning, due to the build-up of the poisonous gas beneath the river bed that formed both naturally and by pollutants from nearby factories along the river. The incident has always been known as the Bogle-Chandler case
.
A popular caravan park and campground known as Lane Cove River Tourist Park
is located on the western side of the valley above the river.
, a long distance walking trail from Sydney to Newcastle. This trail passes along the Lane Cove River between Boronia Avenue, Hunters Hill, and Thornleigh Oval, Thornleigh.
.
area. Smith created a picnic area on the banks of the river, which has long since returned to nature, but a set of stone steps can still be seen at the top of the slopes above the river, lining up with Culloden Road. It is likely that Smith had these steps built to provide access to the picnic area. He also had a quarry in the area, from which he obtained the stone to build his mansion, Curzon Hall. The latter was built circa 1899 and is situated at the intersection of Balaclava and Agincourt Roads. The name Curzon came from his wife's family name. The building was used for various purposes over the years and is now a function centre. It is heritage-listed.
Parramatta River
The Parramatta River is a waterway in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Parramatta River is the main tributary of Sydney Harbour, a branch of Port Jackson, along with the smaller Lane Cove and Duck Rivers....
, Sydney, Australia. Its lower reaches form an arm of Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
.
Description
The Lane Cove River rises near ThornleighThornleigh, New South Wales
Thornleigh is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Thornleigh is located north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Hornsby Shire...
and flows generally south for about 15 km. The upper reaches are in a narrow, forested valley eroded into the North Shore Plateau. The middle reaches are impounded by a weir just upstream of Fullers Bridge
Fullers Bridge
Fullers Bridge crosses the Lane Cove River in suburban Sydney, Australia. The main road from Chatswood to North Ryde, crosses the bridge. It was built in 1918.The main entrance to Lane Cove National Park is located adjacent to Fullers Bridge...
. Sections of the valley are richly forested and are protected within the Lane Cove National Park
Lane Cove National Park
Lane Cove National Park is a small national park located within metropolitan Sydney. The park islocated about ten kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD...
, an area of 598 hectares, formerly a State Recreation Area.
The lower reaches of the Lane Cove River -- downstream from the weir near Fullers Bridge -- are tidal and merge into Sydney Harbour at Greenwich
Greenwich, New South Wales
Greenwich is a suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Greenwich is located 7 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Lane Cove.The suburb occupies a peninsula on the northern...
and Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
. There are significant areas of mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
communities along the shores.
The river is known for being the site of the mysterious deaths of Dr Gilbert Bogle and Margaret Chandler on January 1, 1963. The cause of their deaths has never been established; but there is a strong theory that the two deaths may have been caused by accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning, due to the build-up of the poisonous gas beneath the river bed that formed both naturally and by pollutants from nearby factories along the river. The incident has always been known as the Bogle-Chandler case
Bogle-Chandler case
The Bogle-Chandler case refers to the mysterious deaths of Dr Gilbert Stanley Bogle and Mrs Margaret Olive Chandler née Morphett on the banks of the Lane Cove River in Sydney, Australia on January 1, 1963. The case became celebrated because of the circumstances in which the bodies were found and...
.
A popular caravan park and campground known as Lane Cove River Tourist Park
Lane Cove River Tourist Park
Lane Cove River Tourist Park is a large caravan park & campground 10 kilometres North of the Sydney Harbour Bridge located in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney operated by National Parks and Wildlife Service ....
is located on the western side of the valley above the river.
Great North Walk
The Lane Cove River is the site of many old trails and tracks, some of which have survived from logging days. They are now used extensively for recreational purposes. Many of them have been incorporated into the Great North WalkGreat North Walk
The Great North Walk is a walking track which runs from Sydney to Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. The main track, in length, runs between the Obelisk in Macquarie Place in Sydney to Queens Wharf Tower in Bicentennial Park in Newcastle and is well sign-posted. There are many "side tracks"...
, a long distance walking trail from Sydney to Newcastle. This trail passes along the Lane Cove River between Boronia Avenue, Hunters Hill, and Thornleigh Oval, Thornleigh.
Fairyland
From 1913 to the early 1970s, the Swan family operated a picnic area called Fairyland, which was located on the banks of the river, upstream from Epping Road. The area was originally a market garden, but the family turned it into a picnic area when they realized the commercial potential. The area has now returned to nature and is contained within the Lane Cove National ParkLane Cove National Park
Lane Cove National Park is a small national park located within metropolitan Sydney. The park islocated about ten kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD...
.
Harry Smith
Harry Smith was a businessman who owned land in what is now the MarsfieldMarsfield, New South Wales
Marsfield is a suburb on the Northern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marsfield is located 16 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Ryde.-History:...
area. Smith created a picnic area on the banks of the river, which has long since returned to nature, but a set of stone steps can still be seen at the top of the slopes above the river, lining up with Culloden Road. It is likely that Smith had these steps built to provide access to the picnic area. He also had a quarry in the area, from which he obtained the stone to build his mansion, Curzon Hall. The latter was built circa 1899 and is situated at the intersection of Balaclava and Agincourt Roads. The name Curzon came from his wife's family name. The building was used for various purposes over the years and is now a function centre. It is heritage-listed.
Bridges
There are only four bridges which cross the Lane Cove River. These are:- De Burghs Bridge on Metroad 3Metroad 3Metroad 3 is a Metroad in Sydney, New South Wales Australia. It replaced State Route 33 in April 1993, from Metroad 10 in Mona Vale to Metroad 1 in Blakehurst. It has many names as it goes through different suburbs. Some of these are Mona Vale Road, Ryde Road, Lane Cove Road, Concord Road and...
which connects North RydeNorth Ryde, New South WalesNorth Ryde is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Ryde is located 15 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Ryde...
and West PymblePymble, New South WalesPymble is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Pymble is located north-west of the Sydney Central Business District in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council....
. - Fullers BridgeFullers BridgeFullers Bridge crosses the Lane Cove River in suburban Sydney, Australia. The main road from Chatswood to North Ryde, crosses the bridge. It was built in 1918.The main entrance to Lane Cove National Park is located adjacent to Fullers Bridge...
on State Route 29, which connects Chatswood and North Ryde. - Epping RoadEpping RoadEpping Road , NSW Main Road 28, is an important arterial road in suburban Sydney. Epping Road is 9 kilometres long, and is a major route linking the lower North Shore and Sydney CBD to the north western suburbs and Hills District of metropolitan Sydney...
on State Route 28, connecting Lane Cove to Ryde, also carrying traffic from the M2 Hills MotorwayM2 Hills MotorwayThe M2 Hills Motorway is a motorway in north-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It forms part of Sydney Metroad 2 and the 110 km Sydney Orbital Network. West of Pennant Hills Road, the M2 is also part of the National Highway.-History:Previously, Sydney's western suburbs were poorly served...
. - Fig Tree BridgeFig Tree BridgeFig Tree Bridge is a girder bridge that spans the Lane Cove River, west of the CBD in Sydney, Australia. It is immediately to the north of Tarban Creek Bridge and the more well-known Gladesville Bridge...
on Burns Bay Road, which connects Lane Cove WestLane Cove West, New South WalesLane Cove West is a suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lane Cove West is located 9 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Lane Cove...
and Hunters HillHunters Hill, New South WalesHunters Hill is a suburb in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hunters Hill is located 9 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Municipality of Hunter's Hill.Hunters Hill is situated on a...
.
External links
- Lane Cove National Park Website (NPSW)
- Lane Cove River Tourist Park Campground and Caravan Park http://www.lcrtp.com.au