Hornsby Heritage Walk

14 ECHOES

Location: Sydney

Elizabeth Laughton
Elizabeth Laughton

This is an audio guided historic walking tour of the business and retail precinct of Hornsby, and it highlights the rich social and cultural past within Hornsby Shire. It is an easy grade walk which takes approximately 90 minutes to complete or can be split into two shorter walks (e.g. the east and the west side of the railway station). We hope you enjoy experiencing Hornsby’s buildings, parks and monuments of significance and learning about some of the stories behind them.

All images are from Hornsby Shire Recollects: https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/pages/contact

The sound clip of the Hornsby Water Sculpture at stop four belongs to Youtube user eatenbywords: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7XRcJz9Mn0

1. Hornsby Shire Library

Hornsby Shire Library was built on this site in 1972. Let's learn the history of Hornsby Shire Library before then!

Next stop: Pakenham

Turn right at the end of Hunter Lane, walk to George Street, turn left and walk to the corner of Edgeworth David Avenue and the Pacific Highway.

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2. Pakenham

Before Westfield and the busy intersection, a beautiful federation home was built on this site.

Next stop: Hornsby Girls High School

Walk east along Edgeworth David Avenue and on your right, you will see Hornsby Girls High School.

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3. Hornsby Girls High School

Hornsby Girls High School was built in 1930. There's a special reason the road out front of the school is called Edgeworth David Avenue...

Next stop: Westfield Shopping Centre and Hornsby Water Sculpture

Turn left at Albert Street, watch out for cars exiting the car park, then turn left at Florence Street. Walk up to the fountain. On both sides of the fountain you will see the Westfield Shopping Centre.

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4. Westfield Shopping Centre and Hornsby Water Sculpture

Learn about the history of Westfield Shopping Centre and listen to the music of Hornsby Water Sculpture.

Next stop: Hornsby Railway Station and the Rainbow Serpent Mosaic

Walk down Florence Street towards the footbridge. Florence Street is believed to be named after Florence Cotton, daughter of James Channon who owned Pakenham.

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5. Hornsby Railway Station and the Rainbow Serpent Mosaic

Learn about the confusing history of Hornsby Station/Hornsby Junction Station in Jack's Island/Hornsby!

Next stop: Railway Buildings and Railway Hotel

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6. Railway Stations and Railway Hotel

Listen to learn about the railway station buildings and the first hotel in Hornsby.

Next stop: 1 - 3 Jersey Street, Hornsby

Cross over the pedestrian crossing and walk down Jersey Street.

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7. 1 - 3 Jersey St, Hornsby

This little shop has seen over a hundred years of business!

Next stop: The Browsery Cottage

Head next door to 5 Jersey Street.

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8. The Browsery Cottage

Learn more about this quaint, endearing cottage on the 'old side' of Hornsby.

Next stop: Coronation Street and Hornsby Post Office

Walk back to and then along Coronation Street.

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9. Coronation Street and Hornsby Post Office

Welcome to Hornsby's first ever shopping centre! Listen to learn more.

Next stop: Hornsby Police Station, Hornsby Courthouse, Hornsby Council Chambers, and Hornsby School of Arts

Cross Peats Ferry Road at the lights. Look back for a better view of the Post Office and Coronation Street, then walk north towards Hornsby TAFE. Look from across the road for the best view of our next stops.

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10. Hornsby Police Station, Hornsby Courthouse, Hornsby Council Chambers, and Hornsby School of Arts

Listen to learn about the first court case in Hornsby Courthouse in 1926....

Next stop: Hornsby Park and Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Walk back along to Hornsby Park. You will find public toilets available and you might like to spend some time relaxing in this tranquil setting before continuing the walking tour. Stop and smell the roses!

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11. Hornsby Park and Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre

I hope it's a nice sunny day! Enjoy the park.

Next stop: Peats Ferry Road, Old Rural Bank, and Old Bank of New South Wales

Cross Coronation Street at the lights and walk along Peats Ferry Road

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12. Peats Ferry Road, Old Rural Bank, and Old Bank of New South Wales

Have you heard the story behind the naming of Peats Ferry Road?

Next stop: Dural Lane

Walk down to Dural Lane. NOTE: Please watch for passing traffic as this lane is a thoroughfare.

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13. Dural Lane

Can you spot Ginger Meggs in the murals on Dural Lane?

Next stop: Odeon Cinema, Forbes Footwear, and the Hornsby War Memorial

Cross Peats Ferry Road at the lights then cross over to the Cenotaph Park where you will get a good view of our final stops today.

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14. Odeon Cinema, Forbes Footwear, and the Hornsby War Memorial

Take a seat in Cenotaph Park while we discuss our final stops for today.

Thanks for joining me on the Hornsby Heritage Walk!

If you want to learn more or share your history, visit Hornsby Shire Recollects: https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/

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