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Obelisk Beach

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Obelisk Beach, Official Sign
Aerial pic of Obelisk Beach
Obelisk Beach
Obelisk Beach

Obelisk Beach (part of Obelisk Bay) is a nude beach in Mosman, New South Wales, Australia.

The beach is on the southern side of Middle Head in Sydney Harbour and is part of Sydney Harbour National Park.

Coordinates: 33°49′47″S 151°15′39″E / 33.82972°S 151.26083°E / -33.82972; 151.26083

History

Prior to European settlement in 1788, the area was inhabited by Indigenous Australians speaking the Guringai language. Aboriginal sites are found in the bushland all around Georges Head. The arrival of smallpox with European colonists meant that by 1795, the Aboriginal population on the northern side of Sydney Harbour had declined by as much as 90%.

In 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie dubbed Bungaree "Chief of the Broken Bay Tribe" and presented him with 15 acres (61,000 m) of land on Georges Head. He was also known by the titles "King of Port Jackson" and "King of the Blacks". Bungaree spent the rest of his life ceremonially welcoming visitors to Australia, educating people about Aboriginal culture (especially boomerang throwing), and soliciting tribute, especially from ships visiting Sydney. Bungaree and his family kept a fishing boat on the beach.

In the early 20th century, the beach was painted by artists such as Herbert Reginald Gallop, as well as being a popular site for picnics.

The beach is attended predominantly by homosexual men, and is considered a 'gay-friendly' beach by some.

References

  1. Malkin, Bonnie (28 October 2005). "Exposure test in new swing-free zone". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2007.
  2. "Obelisk Beach, Sydney ‣ Nude Beach Map". 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  3. "North-coastal Sydney Aboriginal history". Archived from the original on 31 March 2016.
  4. "The area near Obelisk Beach, Georges Head, where Bungaree kept his fishing boat". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  5. "Gay Sydney Beaches". Park Lodge Hotel Website. 19 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  6. Byrne, Dennis. "Excavating desire: queer heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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