Maclean, New South Wales

Maclean is a town in Clarence Valley local government area in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Clarence River and near the Pacific Highway. At the 2016 census, Maclean had a population of 2,628.[1] The Maclean, Yamba and Iluka area had a population of 16,279.[2] Its industries are tourism, sugar cane production, farming and river-prawn trawling.

Maclean
New South Wales
Maclean
Coordinates29°27′S 153°12′E
Population2,628 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2463
Location
  • 658 km (409 mi) NE of Sydney
  • 46 km (29 mi) NE of Grafton
  • 18 km (11 mi) SW of Yamba
LGA(s)Clarence Valley Council
State electorate(s)Clarence
Federal Division(s)Page

Geography

Maclean is nestled at the base of Mt Maclean and the shoreline of the Clarence River were the river reunites after splitting around Woodford Island. A bridge connects Woodford Island to Maclean. It is part of the Tourist Drive 22. During times of heavy rain the town is under threat of flooding by the surging waters of the river.

Realignment of the Pacific Highway has reduced the traffic flow through the town, with roadwork scheduled to be complete by 2020.

History
Shark Creek bridge near Maclean, formerly part of the Pacific Highway

The area was originally inhabited by the Gumbaingirr or Yaygir indigenous peoples. Matthew Flinders landed near the mouth of the Clarence River in 1798.

Cedar cutting began in the area in the 1830s. The Maclean area was known as Rocky Mouth in the 1850s. The township was officially laid out in 1862 and named after Alexander Grant McLean, the Surveyor-General. The sugar industry began to develop around 1865.

Heritage listings

Maclean has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Culture

The popular Maclean Highland Gathering has been held for over 100 years during the Easter weekend. Participants and bands contest traditional Scottish athletic and cultural competitions, such as caber tossing, highland dancing, band competition, and bagpiping. The "Maclean, The Scottish Town In Australia Association", is a community group which was formed in 1986 under the initiative of former bank manager Mr Graham Leach, and works to promote Maclean's strong Scottish origins. The work of this committee over the years has ensured that Maclean now has national and international recognition as 'The Scottish Town' in Australia.

Many street signs are written in English and Scottish Gaelic, power poles are painted with tartan patterns, and a stone cairn has been erected in Herb Stanford Park.

Schools

Newspapers
  • The Daily Examiner
  • The Coastal Views
  • Clarence Valley Review
  • The Independent
  • The Northern Rivers Times

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Maclean (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Maclean – Yamba – Iluka". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  3. "Ulgundahi Island". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01721. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
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