The name "Neutral Bay" originates from the time of the early colonial period of Australia, where different bays of Sydney harbour were zoned for different incoming vessels. This bay was where all foreign vessels would dock, hence the name
neutral. The
Aboriginal name for the area was 'Wirra-birra'. In 1789, soon after the arrival of the
First Fleet in Sydney, Governor
Arthur Phillip declared this bay a
neutral harbour where foreign ships could anchor and take on water and supplies. Neutral Bay was far enough away from Sydney Cove to discourage convicts from escaping on these vessels and to keep possible enemy ships at a distance from the main settlement. By the beginning of the 20th century, Neutral Bay and
Cremorne were developing as "alternative society suburbs", populated by the kind of people who were attracted to the
Arts and Crafts architectural style that was in vogue at the time. This style was an attempt to get away from mass production and give homes the "human touch". Notable examples soon appeared in the area.
Brent Knowle, in Shellcove Road (now part of
Kurraba Point), was designed by Bertrand James Waterhouse and built in 1914. It influenced home design in the area for at least the next fifteen years and has a state heritage listing. A different style was used for
The Cobbles (now in
Kurraba Point), also in Shellcove Road. Designed by Peddle and Thorp and built in 1918, it made great use of natural stones and pebbles to achieve the desired look. It is an Australian interpretation of the
California Bungalow style and has a state heritage listing.
The Gables, in Spruson Street, was another Waterhouse design and was built in 1920. It was influenced by the "shingle style" which was brought to Sydney by Horbury Hunt, and featured prominent gables and extensive use of shingles. More Waterhouse designs appeared in Shellcove Road in the vicinity of
The Cobbles and
Brent Knowle (now in
Kurraba Point). Along with
Keynsham (now in
Kurraba Point), ''St Anne's
(now in Kurraba Point), and Gundimaine House'' (now in
Kurraba Point), these homes form a significant heritage group and have a state heritage listing. Neutral Bay was also the home of the English-born children's author and painter
May Gibbs, who lived for a time in
Derry, a two-storey
Federation home in Phillips Street. Afterwards, she moved to the home
Nutcote in nearby
Kurraba Point. Neutral Bay was the location of the Royal Australian Navy's Submarine Service
HMAS Platypus (naval base) between 18 August 1967 and 29 March 1999. It was home to the HMA Oberon submarines, with the first
HMAS Oxley arriving at the site on the same day as the commissioning. During World War 2 the site was converted for use as the RAN Torpedo Maintenance Establishment (RANTME). == Heritage listings ==