Point 2 Point

Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by Gadigal and Wangal people. Stories from early settlers in the area tell of how the local indigenous people used to hunt kangaroo by driving them through the bushy peninsula, down the hill to Peacock Point at the East end, where they were killed.

Earlier known as Peacocks Point. It is believed to have been named after a waterman or ferryman named John Peacock. Apparently the first settlement in Balmain. Now hosts Illoura Reserve.

Named after Robert Simmons who was a wharf builder. Simmons Point was originally known as ‘the home of the shipwright’.

Lovely sandstone terraces for picnicing (which the local magpies really enjoy) and great views across to the vast new Ballast Point Park.

The interesting name for this point has two stories attached. The bushranger who became Captain Thunderbolt escaped from the prison on Cockatoo Island and swam to this point where his girl had a white horse waiting to make their escape to New England (country NSW). The less glamorous story is the old ‘let’s name the point after the shape of a rock’ theory (a la Pulpit Point, Quakers Hat, etc).

Good family point, lots of facilities, plus the Dawn Fraser Pool for a harbourside dip sans shark.

Modest point but does have a point-front restaurant which is a rare thing. Don’t know if it’s any good but it was full. Good views of ever-popular Snapper Island. Worryingly close to Birkenhead Point but we’ll let that go. Don’t think it’s named after Jimmy Sommerville of Bronski Beat fame … but oop, here it is, named after a town clerk (Mr A.W. Sommerville, 50 years service). Used to be called Fig Tree Point, but so was a bucket load of other points with a preponderance of figs. Thank goodness for dutiful clerks.