Originally named Keltie Bay after James Keltie, master of the First Fleet flag ship Sirius, Double Bay seems to have acquired its present name by about 1830.

In November 1831 Surveyor-General Mitchell reported that "Double Bay affords a very favourable situation for a village, there being already a road through it, with bridges across, a fine stream of fresh water, and an extensive sandy beach."

Governor Richard Bourke agreed with the idea and plans for the village were approved including Bay Street, Cross Street, Ocean Street, Lillian Street and Swamp Street (later renamed Guilfoyle Avenue after botantist Michael Guilfoyle)

The village grew only slowly, most residents being either fishermen, or market gardeners and Aboriginals continued to live in the area well into the latter part of the 1800's. Indeed, when Queen Victoria's son Prince Alfred, visited the spot in 1868 the Aboriginals staged an impromptu corroboree in his honour. Their presence is also reflected in the name "Seven Shillings Beach" which it acquired when old Aboriginal Gurrah sold his fishing rights on the beach to William Busby, who had also bought Redleaf.

The 1850's saw the development of the Double Bay wharf and the establishment of Michael Guilfoyle's "Exotic Nursery" which covered a large area extending from Double Bay to Darling Point. Michael and his family lived in Mort Cottage (named after Thomas Sutcliffe Mort). Mort Cottage still stands on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Cross Street and is one of the oldest buildings in Double Bay.

The 1870's saw the establishment of the Royal Oak Hotel and also the public area that was to become Steyne Park and in 1875 Michael Guilfoyle sold the land that was to be used as the site for Double Bay Public School. By the 1890's trams were travelling through Double Bay from the City to Watson's Bay, bringing more life to the area and gradually turning it from a quiet backwater to the busy village that we now know.

Part of the flavour of old Double Bay can be seen in the picture of Mort's Cottage, built in 1838 it dates from the earliest days of Double Bay. It still stands and is located at 35 Cross Street Double Bay, just across the road from the public school.

A short walk from Double Bay is historical Point Piper, named after the colourfull character, Captain John Piper. To read more about him, and the home he set up on Double Bay's doorstep click here