Picture perfect

Ku-ring-gai’s impressive 'gentlemen’s residences' and private gardens compare favourably with other exemplary garden suburbs in England and America. The area was a pleasant retreat for those citizens who could afford to escape crowded, grimy inner-city living.

Photographers such as Harold Cazneaux (1878-1953) were captivated with the elegance of the architect-designed houses and their picturesque gardens.

 > View photographs of North Shore houses and gardens by Harold Cazneaux

Quaint picture postcard views of the leafy streetscapes, churches and railway stations were extremely popular around the turn of the 20th century, produced by companies such as the Broadhurst Photo Company.

 > See Broadhurst postcard views of North Shore suburbs