Manly’s heritage kangaroo statue on Kangaroo Street has been restored after damage earlier this year, with the sandstone landmark now carrying its head again and its ears for the first time in more than 70 years.
Manly Kangaroo Returns To Kangaroo Street
The sandstone kangaroo on Kangaroo Street in Manly has been repaired after being damaged in February, when its head was removed and parts of the upper section were broken.
Fragments of the historic carving were found near Kangaroo Street after the damage was discovered over the weekend of 15 February.
Repairs began in April and were completed in June 2026. Sydney stone artist Daniel de Chellis, from De Chellis Artistry, carried out the restoration.
The Manly landmark now has its head back in place, along with ears that had been missing or in repair for much of the sculpture’s life. The ears may not have been photographed since the 1950s.
Sandstone Work Restores The Manly Landmark
The restoration involved several months of research to find sandstone that closely matched the original material.
New stone was hand-carved using earlier images of the kangaroo as a guide. A special ageing technique was also used so the restored sections would blend more naturally with the weathered sandstone.
The new sandstone will continue to weather over time.
The repairs were designed to be strong and to minimise the chance of further damage. The statue’s position on a rock shelf, however, makes it difficult to protect with fencing or other barriers.
A Kangaroo Street Figure From The 1850s
The kangaroo statue was erected in 1856 or 1857 and was commissioned by Henry Gilbert Smith.
The carving has been attributed to either Charles “Percy” Pickering or Thomas Youll, who is identified in local history as a stonemason linked to major building projects of the period.
Over time, several stories have been told about why the kangaroo was placed at the site. One version says it was installed to draw people up to the lookout and show the view. Another describes it as a marker for people returning from fishing.
Other accounts link the statue to Henry Gilbert Smith’s wife, who was said to have admired the view from the spot, or to the place where the last kangaroo in the district was shot.
The restored Kangaroo Street figure is now back in place above Manly, with its head and ears reinstated after months of specialist stonework.
Published 26-June-2026
