Gallery

The Elephants of Avalon Beach
A true story of when the Circus visited Avalon Beach and their elephants grazed on the sand dunes.

North Avalon’s ‘Eerie’
Many rumours have abounded over the years on the origins and occupants of the studio which hangs precariously onto the cliff edge on top of North Avalon. The truth is that William Lumsden, an engineer from Maroubra, built both the house on Marine Parade and the studio up top in 1938. He used it as […]

North Avalon from Bangalley no. 2
This is photo number 2 and shows the view Bert Cowell captured in 1940 from Bangalley Headland. In the middle of the photo is the new section of Barrenjoey Road leading to Palm Beach, replacing the old (visible) dirt road which led down to the crossing (originally a forde) of Careel Creek. The old road […]

North Avalon from Bangalley
This excellent photo is actually 1 of 2, both taken by Bert Cowell, Avalon Beach’s mobile green-grocer (see previous entry on website) in 1940. Bert’s daughter is Nina who is the Society’s secretary! Taken from the climb up to Bangalley Headland, note the vehicle parked approximately where you enter the reserve these days. The road […]

Bungan Castle Interior
Titled ‘Historical artefacts decorating Bungan Castle in 1928’. Geoff visited the castle as a member of the Avalon Cub Pack in the 1950s and clearly remembers the great array of antiques and memorabilia. Sadly, visits in later years were curtailed because of the continual theft of some of these historical items.

Bungan Castle Construction
The harnessed horse strains to raise some stone to the construction site urged on by his handler. Note the construction stage on the castle behind.

Bungan Castle
In 1928 Bungan Head Road winds its way out to a rather lonely and forlorn looking castle.
The 9th Great Historic Photographic Exhibition Opening Night
This video was produced by Society member John Illingsworth to celebrate 35 years of the Society. It includes speeches and toasts from the opening night.