Bobbin Head through time

This name derives from a large rock which stood at the end of the headland, and as tidal waters rose and fell about it, it appeared to bear a likeness to a head and shoulders bobbing in the creek, hence the "bobbing head", which was later changed to Bobbin Head. Bobbin Head, on Cowan Creek, is part of Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, proclaimed in 1894. It is still a popular place for picnics, which are not so difficult to arrange as in 1897, when it was necessary to send a telegram, to hire a horse drawn vehicle to be in attendance at Wahroonga to meet the train. The name may also have been named after the farm of Mr Hutchinson who had a farm in the area.

Source: Powell, John P. 1994, Placenames of the Greater Hawkesbury Region, Hawkesbury River Enterprises, Berowra, p.10

When looking through the images, think about Bobbin Head in the past and the present. How has Bobbin Head changed over time?

• What did the bush like and what does it look like now?

• What did the edge of the water looked like where it joined the land and how is this different from today?

• How do think people may have traveled to go on a picnic or a holiday in the past?

• How were people dressed for an outing and how do we dress today?

• What did people do at Bobbin Head and has this changed over time?

• What equipment would have been used to take a photograph? 

• What did the boats look like and what do they look like now?

• Do we still use Bobbin Head in the same way people did in the past?

• How do you think visitors packed their lunch? What type of food would they have brought with them?

• How has the landscape changed over time?

• How were the roads constructed? How are they maintained today?

• What kind of wildlife do you think people would encounter at the park in the past and today?

• Why do you think some time periods have so few pictures compared to others?