Wondabyne Railway Station

Item details


Name of item:	Wondabyne Railway Station
Other name/s:	Formerly known as Mullet Creek Station, Mullet Creek Junction Later, Hawkesbury Cabin
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Primary address:	Mullet Creek, Woy Woy Bay, NSW 2256
Local govt. area:	Central Coast

Boundary:

East: Property boundary to water. West: Property boundary to National Park. South: 10m past end of platforms. North: 10m past end of level crossing.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Mullet Creek	Woy Woy Bay	Central Coast			Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	Wondabyne has local significance as a small and unique 20th Century railway station with two short side platforms, one of which is accessed by water and the other from an adjacent quarry. Platform 2 is a rare, possibly unique example of a vertical sandstone platform wall, built in 1939 to service the adjacent sandstone quarry. The straight platform coping has since been raised in the same, local fabric, and cut back. The station has historic significance through its association with the neighbouring Wondabyne sandstone quarry, local industry and recreational activities. The place is also significant for its association with a number of nearby Aboriginal heritage and social/cultural sites including the Pindar Caves. These associated sites suggest that the Wondabyne area could have possibly been an occupation area for Indigenous Australians.
	Date significance updated: 13 Aug 15
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	NSW Department of Railways
Builder/Maker:	NSW Department of Railways
Physical description:	PLATFORMS Wondabyne may be one of the smallest stations in Australia, with both platforms measuring in at a length of roughly 5-10 meters, Platform 1 (c.1939) Short open steel rail frame Platform 1. The height of the deck has been raised with concrete blocks. May feature earlier supporting elements relocated. Platform 2 (c.1939) Vertical sandstone platform wall with straight stone coping. The coping has been raised in the same fabric and subsequently cut back. Stone from neighbouring Wondabyne Quarry. SETTING/ LANDSCAPE FEATURES Wondabyne is the only known station in Australia that lacks road access with access by boat to the public wharf opposite the station. The station is also one out of a limited number of stations to be located in a National park. Level crossing between the two platforms, modern shelters, signage, fencing and station facilities. There is a section of sandstone wall and steps on the Mullet Creek side of the station providing access to the water, wharf and pontoon. Adjacent to the station are approximately 9 houses that were originally fishermen’s houses, which along with general location of Wondabyne represent the maritime activity of the area. A sandstone quarry, owned by Gosford quarries is also a significant landmark situated north west of the station, with a siding attached. The quarry which is still in operation today for restoration works, is significant in that the debris from the quarry was also used in filling in the edges from Mullet Creek and the station platform. Wondabyne Station provides access to many significant landmarks such as Pindar Cave (only a 15 minute walk up the hill behind the station), and formerly included the Wondabyne Sculpture Symposium, which featured sandstone sculptures by Bruce Copping and 11 other sculptors. The sculptures were reported to have been relocated from the foreshore near the railway stop to the Mt Penang Parklands in 2004 and still remain there today.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The station platforms and other features on the platform are mostly in good condition.
Modifications and dates:	1887 A timber platform and wharf provided. 1-May-1889 Opened as Mullet Creek Junction at 60.243km 1890 Renamed Hawkesbury Cabin 15 Jan 1891 Signal box at Hawkesbury River Bridge was known as Hawkesbury Cabin. 15-Jan-1891 Renamed Wondabyne 1-Jun-1893 Closed 11 Dec 1897 Mullet Creek platform closed. 8 Oct 1901 Mullet Creek crossing loop laid in at 62.965km. 15 Mar 1902 Mullet Creek officer’s residence constructed. Nov-1910 Re-opened at 63.166km 1-Jan-1911 Closed 18 Sep 1915 BHP siding to be provided. 31 Oct 1918 Small passenger platform provided on Up side. 31-Oct-1918 Re-opened at 64.527km 3 Jun 1922 Stone quarry siding on railway reserve 1939 Station relocated at 65.146km 1960s Line electrified


Current use:	Railway Station

History

Historical notes:

Wondabyne station opened to the public in 1889. Initially, Wondabyne station was known as Mullet Creek Station (named after the creek next to it) and initially built for quarry use only. Later, the station was renamed to Hawkesbury Cabin and eventually changed to Wondabyne in 1891, after Mt Wondabyne, located adjacent to the station across the bay.

The Hawkesbury River Bridge and the Woy Woy tunnel are also associated with Wondabyne Station. Hawkesbury River Station was built in conjunction with the station and the tunnel. The debris from Woy Woy tunnel, which was constructed from 1884-1889, was used in the construction of Wondabyne. The sandstone was used to fill in the edges of Mullet Creek Lake and also used in the construction of the first platforms.

Wondabyne station had been moved several times before its current location was chosen. The last location of Wondabyne station was chosen to suit the quarry works, due to the close proximity of the quarry and the station the transportation of sandstone via rail would be made significantly easier. The adjacent Wondabyne quarry (Gosford Quarries) is reported to be Australia’s oldest operating quarry and the sandstone from that quarry with stone in a number of significant Australian buildings, such as the two spires of St Mary’s Cathedral and the Canberra War Memorial.

Wondabyne was not only known for its quarry use but also for its maritime industry. Along a number of creeks near Wondabyne, there are several
“Squatter” houses which were used to house fishermen, and the area is still used for fishing. Wondabyne use to be a relatively busy area and even had a pub called The Centennial, which closed in 1891, only a short time after the opening of the Hawkesbury River Bridge. There also use to be a service that took people from Wondabyne station to Brooklyn by steam boat.

The current station dates from c.1939, further research is required to determine the exact date of extant fabric and whether it was relocated from a previous site.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances.	Transporting coal and minerals-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Wondabyne Station has local significance in that it was essential to various industries in the area, primarily associated with transporting sandstone from the quarry near Wondabyne Station. The quarry located north-west of the station is reported to be the oldest operating sandstone quarry in Australia. The popular Maritime culture that was once part of Wondabyne is also present in the station, for example, the public pontoon that is attached to the station. Between 59.300 and 67.100 U & D track, indigenous middens above cuttings in the national park have been uncovered. There are also numerous indigenous heritage sites located just above Woy Woy tunnel at 67.100-68-900 U & D Track. These findings suggest that the Wondabyne area near and around the station could have possibly been an occupation area for Indigenous Australians, and may have significance for local Aboriginal communities.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Wondabyne station has aesthetic significance largely related to its picturesque setting and views of Mullet Creek and the adjacent Wondabyne Mountain for which it is named after.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The station may have further research potential relating to early engineering achievements in the area and re-use for materials related to Woy Woy tunnel and Hawkesbury Railway Bridge.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Wondabyne has rarity significance as a small and unique 20th Century railway station with two short side platforms, one of which is accessed by water and the other from an adjacent quarry. Platform 2 is a rare, possibly unique example of a vertical sandstone platform wall, built in 1939 to service the adjacent sandstone quarry. The straight platform coping has since been raised in the same, local fabric, and cut back. The station has historic significance through its association with the neighbouring Wondabyne sandstone quarry, local industry and recreational activities.
Integrity/Intactness:	In good condition and intact.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

1. Conservation principles: Conserve cultural heritage significance and minimise impacts on heritage values and fabric in accordance with the ‘Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance’. 2. Specialist advice: Seek advice from a qualified heritage specialist during all phases of a proposed project from feasibility, concept and option planning stage; detailed design; heritage approval and assessment; through to construction and finalisation. 3. Documentation: Prepare a Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) to assess, minimise and prevent heritage impacts as part of the assessment and approval phase of a project. Prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) prior to proposing major works (such as new additions, change of use or proposed demolition) at all places of State significance and all complex sites of Local significance. 4. Maintenance and repair: Undertake annual inspections and proactive routine maintenance works to conserve heritage fabric in accordance with the ‘Minimum Standards of Maintenance & Repair’. 5. Movable heritage: Retain in situ and care for historic contents, fixtures, fittings, equipment and objects which contribute to cultural heritage significance. Return or reinstate missing features or relocated items where opportunities arise. 6. Aboriginal, archaeology and natural heritage: Consider all aspects of potential heritage significance as part of assessing and minimising potential impacts, including Aboriginal, archaeology and natural heritage. 7. Unidentified heritage items: Heritage inventory sheets do not describe or capture all contributory heritage items within an identified curtilage (such as minor buildings, structures, archaeology, landscape elements, movable heritage and significant interiors and finishes). Ensure heritage advice is sought on all proposed changes within a curtilage to conserve heritage significance. 8. Recording and register update: Record changes at heritage places through adequate project records and archival photography. Notify all changes to the Section 170 Heritage & Conservation Register administrator upon project completion.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register	Wondabyne Railway Station	5063079

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Heritage Platforms Conservation Management Strategy	2015		Australian Museum Consulting		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Title	Internet Links
Electronic		Gosford Quarries	View detail
Electronic		NSWrail.net	View detail
Other	Sydney Trains Heritage	Aboriginal Heritage Data

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	5063079

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