Whispers of “Ewey” linger in the salty air. Yowie Bay. That’s what we call this beautiful place today. This tranquil bay tucked into the heart of Sydney’s southern suburbs has a history as rich and layered as the sandstone cliffs that surround it. It’s a story of Aboriginal names and surveyor’s maps. It’s a story of bustling pleasure grounds and quiet residential streets.
Yowie Bay. Its name wasn’t always so straightforward. In 1827 a surveyor named Robert Dixon recorded the bay as “Ewey Bay”. It’s believed this was an adaptation of an Aboriginal name. Then around 1889 the name shifted to “Yowie Bay”. The exact reason for this change remains a fascinating mystery. One theory connects it to the sound of a “cooee” echoing across the water. Another suggests a mispronunciation of “ewe” by workers in the area. Regardless of its origin the name stuck. Yowie Bay it became and Yowie Bay it remains.
The area wasn’t always a residential suburb. In 1889 the Village of Weeroona was established. Holiday homes sprang up. This little haven attracted people seeking respite from city life. Then there was Cliffhaven a beautiful sandstone property built around 1932. Imagine the views from there overlooking the glistening waters of Yowie Bay.
The Yowie Bay Hotel opened its doors in the early 1900s. It later served as a hospital during the influenza epidemic after World War One. A testament to the community spirit of the time. Another local landmark was Matson’s Boatshed. The Matson family built boats and ran a boat hire service. They even developed popular pleasure grounds with a hall summer houses and even see-saws. A far cry from the serene suburb we see today.
The Sutherland Shire Council tried to reinstate “Ewey Bay” as the official name. But Yowie Bay was officially declared in 1973. This name persists. It’s more than just a geographical label. It evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue. It whispers tales of a vibrant past.
Today you see a quieter Yowie Bay. A residential area with a marina a friendly grocer and a public school. The E G Waterhouse National Camellia Garden sits peacefully where the Matson pleasure grounds once thrived. Yet the echoes of the past remain. They linger in the names. They are woven into the landscape itself. As you stand here today breathe in the fresh sea air and let the story of Yowie Bay wash over you.