Cadigal people of the Eora nation lived a hunter gatherer life along the coastal areas of today's Sydney basin.
Waverley Cemetery was built on the site of a former horse tram terminus in 1875. Today, Waverly Cemetery is a picturesque and tranquil place of reflection.
The cemetery showcases
outstanding Victorian and Edwardian stonemasonry, set in the beautiful location on the cliff tops overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The 41 acre site has over 50,000 graves, with many elaborate headstones and statues.
It was possible to travel to the cemetery by steam tramway in 1890, when the line between Waverley and Randwick opened.
Many famous and notable people are buried at the site. Such as: Henry Lawson (Australian poet), Jules Archibald, founder of
The Bulletin and benefactor of the Archibald Prize, nineteenth century writer Louis Becke, nineteenth century
Australian boxing champion Larry Foley, nineteenth century poet Henry Kendall, the American actor William E. Sheridan, poet and author Dorothea Mackellar, and author Ethel Pedley.
 |
A State funeral was very fittingly accorded Henry Lawson, who died at Abbotsford on Saturday morning, aged 55. The body was interred in Henry Kendall'sgrave in the Waverley Cemetery.
Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938) Wed 6 Sep 1922 |
 |
| FUNERAL OF THE LATE CRITCHETT WALKER, MONDAY, JUNE 15,1903 (arrival at Waverley Cemetery).Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 24 June 1903 |
 |
| Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 19 March 1928, |
Other significant figures include aeronautical pioneer Lawrence Hargrave, Olympic swimmer Fanny Durack, and New South Wales Premier Sir James Martin.
There are over 200 war graves and monuments from various conflicts, including World War I and World War II.
Surprisingly, there are various graves
belonging to United States Civil War veterans at Waverley, including Phineas S. Thompson.
 |
| Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), Saturday 21 July 1900 |
Michael Dwyer, an Irish revolutionary and political exile called the "Wicklow Chieftain", is buried at Waverley.
Dwyer was a captain in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, leading the United Irish forces in battles in Wexford and Wicklow, who was transported to New South Wales as an un-sentenced exile and free man in 1806.
When Dwyer died in 1825, he was interred at Liverpool, then reburied in the Devonshire Street Cemetery, Sydney, in 1878. In 1898, his remains were re-interred in Waverley Cemetery.
 |
| Michael Dwyer (1772–1825) was a Society of the United Irishmen leader in the 1798 rebellion. He later fought a guerilla campaign against the British Army in the Wicklow Mountains from 1798-1803. Dwyer was celebrated for his resourcefulness and courage, although he could also be ruthless. He survived huge ransoms and the thousands of British troops sent to Ireland to kill him. Gaeilge: Náisiúnaí Éireannach ab ea Michael Dwyer (1772 - 23 Lúnasa 1825). Ball de na hÉireannaigh Aontaithe ab ea e, agus bhí sé páirteach in Éirí Amach 1798. Nuair a theip ar an Éirí Amach chúlaigh sé le buíon fear go Gleann Imeáil, agus throid siad ar feadh cúig bliana eile i Sléibhte Chill Mhantáin go dtí mí na Nollag 1803, nuair a theip ar éirí amach Robert Emmet i mBaile Átha Cliath. |
Robert Rice Howard ("Nosey Bob" Howard), who was employed as a hangman for the colony of New South Wales from 1875, is buried at Waverley Cemetery.
Nosey Bob's wife died, and he reared 5 children alone. He lost his nose when kicked in the face by a horse.
 |
| Portrait of 'Nosey Bob' Howard, New South Wales hangman; published in Truth (Sydney), 20 January 1901, page 5. |
Around Waverley Cemetery
 |
| Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
 |
| Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
 |
| This memorial is the final resting place of Michael Dwyer, "The Wicklow Chief" a revolutionary leader of the 1798 Irish Rebellion who died in Sydney in 1825. Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
 |
| Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
 |
| Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
 |
| Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
 |
| Angel and boy Kate Fiaschi's Grave, Waverley Cemetery, NSW |
Things To Do
Friends of Waverley Cemeteries, Walks
iCemetery is free to download and is available for Android and Apple devices via Google Play or iTunes
Waverley Walks 
