Prominent Russian scientist Nicolai Miklouho-Maclay arrived in Sydney in 1878 and convinced the NSW Government and the local scientific community of the importance of setting up a marine biological station. The site was chosen in 1879 and the station was completed in 1881. In selecting the site, Maclay had made a well-informed choice, as it was ideal for studying the marine animals that his research was so focused upon.
The house, a good example of practical colonial architecture featuring beautiful pressed metal walls and ornate fireplaces, was
acquired for military purposes in 1885 and served until recently as army officers’ married quarters.
The property was transferred to the Commonwealth in 1908 for 600 pounds.
SIGNIFICANT VALUES AND CONSIDERATIONS
• It was the first Marine Biological Station to be established in the Southern Hemisphere – its establishment due to the initiative and drive of the internationally famous Russian scientist and explorer Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay (who worked there when in Sydney from
1881–86)
• The period of use as army officers’ married quarters is mainly associated with the School of Gunnery at South Head. One of the
occupants, W A Coxen, became Chief of General Staff
• The design of the original building was by John Kirkpatrick, a prominent architect responsible for several major Sydney buildings
• One of the earliest remaining buildings in Watsons Bay, the Former Marine Biological Station was a landmark prior to the growth of
landscaping on Green Point
• The character of the grounds has reflected the taste and lifestyle of the different periods of residential occupation, with the Coral Trees planted in the 1930s creating a strong landscape character for the site and adjoining reserve
• The building contains a rare collection of Wunderlich pressed metal walls, cornice and ceiling linings and the interior demonstrates the
evolution of the residence as army married quarters over almost one hundred years
Please note you can walk to my other geocache the First Landfall via the beach.