Curtis Bay

Author

City of Busselton

Place Number

02948

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Location

Curtis Bay Cape Naturaliste

Location Details

Local Government

Busselton

Region

South West

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	20 Jun 1996	Category 4	Category 4 These places are owned by the City and should be conserved, but special action is not required because the sites are mainly of historic and social value without built features. Some of the sites in this category are largely natural features and simply need to be managed in the ordinary sense of maintenance. Conservation actions may be limited to interpretation and/or site signage.

Statement of Significance

The bay has aesthetic value as a picturesque beach and bay with a sandy shoreline contained by rocky edges, with a bushland backdrop and beautiful views out to sea.

This feature has historic value for its association with the American whaling ships, and as landing place for stock. Its name provides an historic link to one of the first regular traders to the region, Anthony Curtis.

The place is valued by the local community and visitors as a destination for recreation.

Physical Description

Located on the coast, 1km north of Dunsborough, between Castle Point and Bird Rock. It is picturesque beach and bay with a sandy shoreline contained by rocky edges, with a bushland backdrop and beautiful views out to sea.

History

This name first appeared on O.P.Sussex 2 (Landgate Plan reference), February 1865. It was named after Anthony Curtis (1796-1853), a Fremantle merchant and ship owner.

One of Curtis's ships was a 14 ton cutter, the Black Swan, and in the late 1840's Curtis used this ship for trading between Fremantle and Castle Rock, west of Busselton. He shipped cattle on her for settlers around Cape Naturaliste, and took them to market at Fremantle. The cattle were made to swim to the ship and were taken on board in slings. The bay near Castle Rock where the ship anchored became known as Curtis Bay in honour of Antony Curtis.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degree/High Degree
Integrity Notes: The place retains a high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	COB		16/10/2024

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number	Description
PN082

Place Type

Landscape

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	OTHER	Other
Present Use	OTHER	Other

Historic Themes

General	Specific
OCCUPATIONS	Grazing, pastoralism & dairying
OCCUPATIONS	Fishing & other maritime industry
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment

Creation Date

13 Feb 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

02 May 2025

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.