When was fairyland lane cove built?

Answer 1

Fairyland on the Lane Cove River started as a market garden in the 1890's. The owners (The Swan Family) set up a shaded open sided timber structure on the river (known as 'The Rest') and welcomed any passing on the river to join them for refreshments. The stop became so popular that the Swan family expanded their entertainment for the increasing river guests.

By the 1920's they began using the name Fairyland Pleasure Grounds. It became a popular destination for young couples to access by ferry and have a day away from city life.

A dance hall was established and other attractions were added. Fairyland began to boom. The Swan family had purchased many 'fun park' items from the bankrupt Amusement Park "White City" in Sydney (now White City tennis courts).

As Fairyland's popularity grew, the Swan family cut a road in the 1940's from Deli Road so they need not rely simply on ferry visitors. A steep road now damaged by fallen trees and water yet still can be used to access the area by foot if you know where to find the now overgrown entrance point.

More attractions were added. A large roofed sliperydip down one of the hills, yet shaped and painted like a huge sleeping giant. Huge metal cutouts were placed on the surrounding hills painted as giants wielding clubs. The giant characters were very much like Bluto in the old Poppey Cartoons with knee high boots. Odd shaped fairy huts for the children to play in. A flying fox where children would line up to hang off the handles from a platform and hang on for their life until they hit ground after about 100 metres.

The 'Ocean Wave', a wobbly metal and wooden merry-go-round that came from White City. It was old even when the Swan's bought it and many received splinters from sitting on the planks, as did I

Slot machines from White City that included "penny in the slot, look in the goggles to see a Charlie Chaplain film", also a machine that tested your strength by hanging onto two brass handles with an electric current running through them.

Fairyland closed in the 1970's due to failing attendance and a series of floods.

Yet after not being there for many years I returned and wandered through the ruins about 1979. Many remnants were left. Collapsed colourful fences, fairy huts in pieces, the cable for the flying fox still around a huge Gum tree. A fallen turnstyle still painted showing the entry fee. I saved one remaining sign which was on a post covered in thick undergrowth. I still have it yet have offered it to the Friends of Fairyland.

However the area had reverted back to nature, overgrown and riddled with snakes. Bushfires since, have taken the last remnants of Fairyland, yet I still have fond memories and a signpost retrieved before the fires.

It was a magical and mystical place for me as a child. When I returned to Fairyland abandoned overgrown and decaying, I knew where everything was even under the undergrowth. It was STILL magical.