No sooner had the First Fleet landed, than its members needed timber. Since Aboriginal land management favoured more grass than trees, the timber-getters had to range far and wide. Across Cockle Bay, Macarthur’s Pyrmont Estate was an early target. Pickings were slim and timber had to be brought from the North Shore and the interior of the colony, but timber yards flourished in Pyrmont, including Goodlet & Smith on Elizabeth Macarthur Bay from the 1860s, and Saxton & Binns on Pyrmont Bridge Road from the 1880s.

For more information, visit the Pyrmont History website.