Hidden Mac Park: Messing about in boats and a visit to “Fairyland”
You can travel down the Lane Cove river - and back in time - at another hidden gem of Macquarie Park: the Lane Cove Boatshed.
A favoured spot for family picnics, fun in the sun and messing about on the river, this small section of national park used to be known as “Fairyland.”
Halfway between Chatswood West and North Ryde, the small piece of land was converted from a market garden to a “pleasure and picnic ground” by the Swan family during Sydney’s roaring 1920s.
Accessed by the river before the arrival of local roads, Fairyland became a popular place for boating excursions to stop and enjoy “light luncheons and afternoon tea”, with all inclusive tickets sold by city boat operators.
Picnicers heading for Fairyland on board the motor launch “Kingfisher”, 1920.
With kiosks, a flying fox, a wooden pirate ship and a romantic dance floor set among the gum trees, Fairyland even played host to the Premier of New South Wales in 1938, with a formal, catered “silver service” picnic to celebrate the designation of Lane Cove river park.
The arrival of mass motoring and adventures further afield saw Fairyland’s popularity decline, before its closure in 1969.
Today Fairyland no longer exists, with the dancefloor reclaimed by the bush, and only an overgrown gatepost serving as a reminder of pleasures past.
But you can still paddle up the river, with rowing boats for hire thanks to the nearby Lane Cove Boatshed, and enjoy a spot of tea in the beautiful surrounds of the surprising national park on Macquarie Park’s doorstep.
