J.R. Clarke and his partner Charles H. Woolcott rented part of the peninsula leading to Robertson Point in 1856 from James Milson, a prominent land holder in Northern Sydney.
Woolcott was a former Town Clerk of the City of Sydney and resident of Ivycliff at Berrys Bay.
The Gardens opened on 24 March 1856, with a display of fireworks, three years after James Ellis reestablished his original Cremorne Gardens in Melbourne from London.
Other amusements, including merry-go-rounds, band music, dancing, archery, quoits and refreshments, were offered for a 2 shillings admission charge which included the ferry fare from Circular Quay.
In May, the proprietors published their new pricing strategy, of a flat 1 shilling fee, again, including the ferry.