The first settlement in the north and in fact the third-earliest in Australia, after Sydney and Parramatta, was at Ryde; then known by the Aboriginal name Wallumetta.

[citation needed] On 3 January 1792, the first land in the Ryde area was granted to eight marines, along the northern bank of the river between Sydney and Parramatta.

[citation needed] Today's Field of Mars Reserve is the remnant of a district which once extended from Dundas to the Lane Cove River.

Governor King recognised that most of the smaller settlers had insufficient land for their stock but it was not possible to grant them larger allotments.

[citation needed] In 1804, it was decided that a 'traditional English common' – a large area of public land for use by local inhabitants – would be set aside.

It was intended as a resource for small settlers, a place for them to graze their livestock and collect firewood, to supplement their farming practices.

The village itself comprised only a modest scattering of houses in a few streets around the church, surrounded by farms, orchards and some large estates.

[5] Northern Sydney is described as the area between Port Jackson to the south, Carlingford and suburbs in line to the west/northwest,[6] Hawkesbury River and Pittwater to the north and the Tasman Sea to the east.

There is also an abundance of bus routes serving the region operated by Busways, CDC NSW and Keolis Downer Northern Beaches.

[citation needed] The highlight is the annual Willoughby StreetFair where the Chatswood CBD is taken over by market stalls, performers, dancers and musicians.

[citation needed] The suburb of Eastwood holds a large event named the Granny Smith Festival held usually in October of each year.