The area was once fished and utilised by overlapping clans of the Garigal people to the north and the Gayamaygal to the south, and evidence of their habitation remains today in the form of the indigenous Australian art such as rock engravings, open campsites, and rock shelters.

The first Crown grant of land in the area was to Thomas Bruin on 27 September 1815, and consisted of 50 acres (20 ha) directly opposite the beach.

The Harbord Estate was named to honor the wife of New South Wales Governor Lord Carrington (gov.

The Postmaster-General finally accepted the views of those who wanted a residential image and Freshwater officially became Harbord on 1 September 1923.

In December 1914, Duke Kahanamoku, the world sprint swimming champion, was touring Australia.

Duke topped the performance by taking a local young girl, Isabel Letham on the board with him to surf the waves.

[6] In 2012, Warringah Council in partnership with Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club signed a Goodwill Beach City Agreement with the coastal community of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The ceremony came as part of an annual celebration of Duke Kahanamoku, who introduced surfing to Australia at Freshwater beach in 1915.

The most common other countries of birth were England 9.1%, New Zealand 2.2%, United States of America 1.7%, Brazil 1.4% and South Africa 1.2%.

[10] Harbord Diggers, an RSL club, used to have bowling greens and views of the ocean, although recently was re-developed by the Mounties Group into a largely expensive over 55s seniors living complex with an RSL club underneath with limited views.