# Waverton, New South Wales

Waverton is a harbour-side suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Waverton is four kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney.

## History

Waverton was named in 1929 after the Waverton Estate of an early resident, Richard Old. The land once belonged to William Carr, who named it after an English village connected to his family.
The North Shore railway line was extended south from St Leonards to Milsons Point in 1893. The station in this area for nearly forty years was known as Bay Road, after the thoroughfare that crosses the railway line. The local progress association recommended a change and Waverton was chosen in 1929.
Indigenous Australians occupied the area until 1916. They left behind numerous signs of their presence. Sites include a large rock carving of a whale adjacent to the heritage-listed Coal Loader, waterholes and grinding grooves at Balls Head Reserve, plus engravings and grinding grooves in Waverton Park.
Waverton is also home to the museum ship Cape Don which is berthed at the old coal loader in Balls Head Bay.
The Coal Loader, a historic wharf which had been used as a facility for coal loading and transport in Waverton, was officially closed in 1992. The site was repurposed afterwards into a community and heritage space. Today it is acknowledged for its ecological and historical significance, as well as for its public access and gardens.

## Heritage listings

Waverton has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
* North Shore railway: Waverton railway station
* The Coal Loader, located on the west side of the peninsula, was established from 1913 to 1917. One of the oldest coal loaders in Sydney Harbour, it was originally a steam ship bunkering station, delivering coal from the Hunter Valley to ships in the harbour. It has been restored and is a popular spot on weekends. It is heritage-listed.

## Transport

Waverton railway station is on the North Shore railway line of the Sydney Trains network.
Busways operates one bus route through Waverton:
* 265: Lane Cove to North Sydney via Wollstonecraft

## Commercial area

Waverton has a village-like collection of shops around the railway station, including an IGA supermarket, bottle shop, butcher, chemist and several restaurants and cafes. The naval base HMAS Waterhen is located on Balls Head Road.

## Tourism

The area around Waverton is set along the northern waterways of Lavender Bay, within picturesque surroundings of suburban bushland. The suburb offers a delightful blend of peaceful living and urban convenience with a mix of period-style homes.

## Recreation

Balls Head Reserve, the bushland peninsula, is a popular picnic destination especially when there are harbour fireworks such as on New Year's Eve. Its one-way road system also forms part of a favoured route for walkers and joggers, and contains many adjacent bushwalking paths.
Waverton Park, on the banks of Berrys Bay, with views of Sydney Harbour, is another recreation focal point.
The suburb is also home of training ships Cape Don, Sycamore and Young Endeavour berthed at the coal loader facility and HMAS Waterhen respectively.
The Cape Don is also a popular maritime museum.