Fifty holiday houses nestled in the bush. That’s Coasters Retreat. A place reachable only by boat. Imagine a secluded haven. A community untouched by roads. Coasters Retreat is a unique suburb in northern Sydney. It’s part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This special place sits on Pittwater’s western shores. It offers stunning views of the Basin.
The history of Coasters Retreat is rich and fascinating. Indigenous Australians the Kuringgai people lived here long before European settlement. They left behind a legacy. Petroglyphs of hunters and kangaroos adorn the Basin Track. Red ochre handprints mark Red Hands Cave. A dolphin carving graces the foreshore. These are tangible links to a past stretching back millennia. Captain Cook saw Broken Bay in 1770. Governor Phillip explored Pittwater in 1788 naming it after William Pitt. In 1842 a former soldier received a land grant. Agriculture began slowly. A farmhouse appeared at The Basin in 1881.
Coasters Retreat became part of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park in 1896. Bonnie Doon Wharf opened in 1914. It gave campers and visitors access. The oldest house Negunya dates from 1922. The Norton Russell family built it. The Alldrit family built the second oldest house in 1926. Growth was slow. Holiday homes gradually appeared during the 20th century. Bennetts Wharf opened in 1944. The Coasters Retreat Progress Association achieved a major milestone. They connected the area to the electricity supply in 1967. The Association then focused on preserving the environment. Electricity lines were buried underground. Roads were never built. Fences were prohibited. Communal postal services continued. This created a tranquil atmosphere. A Rural Fire Brigade was established in 1994 protecting the community.
Coasters Retreat isn’t just a place of natural beauty. It’s also a place with a vibrant history. It played a key role in the beginnings of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The ‘Dicko Cup’ was an informal race. It involved local sailors. The race marked the start of the legendary Sydney to Hobart race.
Today Coasters Retreat remains a special place. It’s a testament to the power of community and preservation. A journey to Coasters Retreat is a journey through time. It’s a journey into a unique piece of Australian history. It’s a journey you won’t soon forget.