ONCE UPON A TIME • The Entrance
bits of the old bridge kept diving into the water). Among the many frequent holiday-makers to the area over several decades was the renowned photographer, Max Dupain — as his photographic collections testify. One of the local attractions around The Entrance waterfront is the large number of pelicans, which have even developed a breeding colony around Tuggerah Lake. Realising they could get a free feed at Clifford’s Fish and Chips shop each day, they began turning up in growing numbers, until the Council built a feeding platform at Pelican Plaza in 1996, making The Entrance the ‘Pelican Capital of Australia’. It remains a highly popular attraction for visitors, with pelican feeding at 3.30pm every day of the year. Less than a couple of wing-flaps away is the National Trustlisted carousel that was trucked up to The Entrance each summer, staying until Easter. But, in the 1950s, the truck carrying it broke down and the owner was forced to sell his heavy load in order to pay for his truck repair. Today, the heritage carousel — built in Germany in the late 1800s — has been carefully restored by its present owners, the Haas family. It remains a popular link to
Pelican feeding time.
The Entrance of old for grandparents and parents who now bring their grandchildren and children to experience this waterfront pastime. visitcentralcoast.com.au
The heritage carousel.
'The entrance,' where ocean and lake meet.
© GRACE BARUS
Sources: The Entrance Long Ago, McClure AM, 1978 A Historical Tour of The Entrance, The Entrance and District Historical Society, Strom Collection, 1968 Gosford/Wyong History & Heritage extract, Strom Collection, 1982 Environmental Education at The Entrance, Strom Collection, undated Thanks to Lyn Webster for her kind assistance. theentrance.org.au, sighted 14-10-19
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