The ghostly whisper of a smallpox epidemic. That’s what Little Bay murmurs. This beautiful coastal suburb in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs has a surprisingly dark beginning.
Little Bay wasn’t always a place of leisure. In 1881-82 during a devastating smallpox outbreak Sydney transformed this secluded bay into a sanitation camp. A makeshift “tent city” sprung up on the beach. It housed healthy people who had contact with those infected. The government then wisely built a permanent hospital here. Its isolation was perfect. Yet it remained close enough to Sydney for supplies and personnel.
The Coast Hospital played a vital role. It was crucial during the bubonic plague in 1900. It proved invaluable again in 1919 with the influenza pandemic. Returning soldiers brought the deadly virus from Europe. The hospital was renamed Prince Henry Hospital in 1934. It served the community for many years. In 2001 its services moved to Prince of Wales Hospital. The sprawling grounds were then opened for residential development.
Nineteen heritage-listed buildings remain. They stand as silent witnesses to the hospital’s past. One haunting landmark is the Coast Cemetery. Over 2500 people are buried there. The oldest graves lie further south towards Cape Banks. The National Parks and Wildlife Service now protects it. Nature reclaims the area. Many graves are now hidden under vegetation.
Another is the Interdenominational War Memorial Chapel. It commands breathtaking views of Little Bay. A fire destroyed it in 1981. However it was rebuilt the following year. Memorial plaques outside honor former hospital staff. Their dedication echoes across the years.
The name itself is a fascinating story. Little Bay was initially called Yarra Junction. However mail was mistakenly delivered to Melbourne. Residents requested a name change. It became Phillip Bay Heights. Eventually the name Little Bay was officially adopted. Everyone already used this name. During the 1950s returned servicemen received land here through War Ballots.
Little Bay’s history isn’t solely medical. In 1969 artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude chose it for a bold project. They created “Wrapped Coast”. It was the world’s largest sculpture. They wrapped 2.4 kilometers of coastline. It ranged from 46 to 244 meters wide. It reached up to 26 meters high on the northern cliffs. It even extended to sea level at the southern beach. This radical work of art was controversial at the time. It caused a community divide. However today it’s seen as a triumph. It initiated a new chapter in Australian contemporary art.
So as you stand here at Little Bay let this unique place transport you through time. From a smallpox quarantine to a vibrant community. A place of healing and a stage for monumental art. Little Bay’s layered past is as captivating as its present.