Roebuck Park

The new central park and playground is open! Officially named Roebuck Park, the playground design has been inspired by the Barque Eglinton shipwreck.

Have you heard about the Eglinton shipwreck?

The three-masted Barque Eglinton left London carrying 21 crew and 30 passengers. On 3 September 1852, it hit an outer reef and sank off the coast of Wanneroo, now known as Eglinton Rocks.

Carrying a consignment of goods for the convict establishment, and valuable general cargo for merchants in the colony, its arrival was keenly anticipated. Deprived settlers had been desperately awaiting the Eglinton’s cargo, so the wreck became the sensation of the year. The Eglinton’s chronometer (marine navigation tool) had been found to be faulty earlier on the journey and was blamed for the shipwreck.

The site was discovered in 1971, and the archaeological survey of the Eglinton marked a new starting point in shipwreck research in Western Australia. A large collection of artefacts was recovered representing a broad range of general merchandise, principally British manufactured goods and others obtained from colonies along its journey.

Like most wooden sailing ships, it left little remains. Only some scattered concrete bricks, ballast gravel, shattered glass, and ceramics remain on the shallow reef system.

Browse the gallery below and enjoy exploring your new park!