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Hidden in a nondescript corner of Camperdown Cemetery is the tomb of the victims of the Dunbar sailing ship.
The Dunbar was an English ship bound for Sydney. Near midnight on August 20th 1857, after 81 days at sea, all the passengers were excited and dressed for disembarking despite heavy weather and poor visibility. Captain Green believed he was approaching the entrance to Sydney Harbour, but the ship struck the cliffs below The Gap at South Head. The ship broke apart almost at once. Of the 122 people on board, only one survived, able seaman James Johnson, who clung to a ledge until rescue. Some bodies were so damaged they could not be recognised.
Sydney went into mourning. Mass funerals followed and the tragedy became one of New South Wales’ worst peace-time shipping disasters.
The unidentifiable remains of passengers and crew were buried in a mass grave at Camperdown Cemetery.
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Know Before You Go
The tomb is located in the south west corner of the cemetery. Its What3Words location is ///improving.dull.junior
After visiting the tomb, walk 100 metres to Newtown’s King Street, often referred to as ‘eat street’ due to its many restaurants of all varieties of world cuisine.
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Published
December 9, 2025
