History of Arcadia

Shire of Hornsby Location: 42 kilometres north-west of Sydney off Arcadia Road north of Galston

The romantic name of this suburb, reminiscent of Greek mythology, means "a pastoral retreat". Arcadia lies north-west of Hornsby, in an elevated area dotted with rocky sandstone outcrops. The suburb came into being around 1817, when timber-cutters pressing south from the Hawkesbury River formed several small settlements in the Dural area, which were known as Upper Dural, Middle Dural and Lower or North Dural. Later parts of these areas were renamed Arcadia, Galston and Glenorie.

As the area developed with additions of orchards and farms, and their accompanying farm animals, cattle duffers became common and their tracks remained well into the present century, until improved roads for buses and coaches obliterated evidence of those early days. The first public school, conducted by Mr J. Aubrey, was opened in 1894 for two days each week. The name Arcadia was given to the public school in 1895 and later adopted for the locality. Today, the public school continues to teach local children in a bushland setting in Arcadia Road.

Because of its peaceful nature, Arcadia has been favoured as a church retreat area. The Benedictine monks have a monastery there, and the Central Methodist Mission (now the Wesley Central Mission of the Uniting Church) built a complex known as Vision Valley on one of the suburb's hills. The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for the purpose of these two churches. Holiday facilities have been included in Vision Valley, and a swimming lake, tennis courts and facilities for horse-riding and bush walking offer physical relaxation between hours spent in spiritual meditation.

Although future progress may encroach on the tranquillity of the area, for the present it is a natural retreat, filled with fresh breezes and the calls of dozens of bush birds. A visit to Arcadia Park, a reserve between Bay Road and Calabash Creek, will introduce many of these Australian songsters to the visitor.


Reference: The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled & Edited by Frances Pollon, published by Angus & Robertson Publishers 1988