You probably already know this, but Tamarama, just over the hill from Bondi used to be an amusement park based on Coney Island (1906 it opened). A rollercoaster ran from one side of the bay to the other. Mad huh. Interest in the park waned and swimmers protested so it closed in 19011.
Ok ‘Nuf of the history lesson.
Today Tamarama was attracting the current ENE wind swell, breaking around 1-2 foot. It looked pretty terrible to surf but delightful to swim! The water is chilly, you’ll feel alive post dip.
For the past few weeks we’ve had a small pop up exhibition at the Westfield Warringah Mall (near Country Road). Seen it? Some of my best aerial images shot over the Northern Beaches are on show. This Thursday I am hosting an evening in the new Westfield Suite (Ground level behind shop Sephora) and you’re welcome to come along for drink, eat and chat. When: 30th Nov Thursday 6 pm. I would be stoked to meet some of our Northside readers – I know there’s plenty! Come. Just rock up.
:: uge
Lived as a boy in Marine Parade overlooking the beach..this was around 1951..Best days of my early youth…Would walk around the beach on route to Bondi Road to catch the tram up to Bondi junction where I attended the primary school in Penkivil street.Family moved, hated the move, longed to be back at Tamarama..We had the 2 storey house overlooking beach ( used to be a shop underneath) which catered for beach goers ,,,ie sandwiches, soft drinks etc…Alan Coad the then popular singer lived on the opposite headland, Bondi side. Our families used to alternate having parties with close friends….I was only about 10, used to peak thru the curtains upstairs and watch dad playing the piano and Alan Coad singing….Xmas got my first surfoplane, scampered down the cliff path to tammo and had a wow of a time Wonderful years.
I am ,77 years old now.,have fabulous memories of my early days there…
Until she died at 96 years my mum had the fondest memories of Tamarama, me too.
By the way , my dad hand built the sandstone brick wall surrounding the property, he was young and strong as a bull then,,,I helped him a bit… used to chisel into the mortar and hide my dinkey toys in the spaces…..possibly some are still there….Had a wonderful life ,, but like my mum I still miss Tammo,