Nambucca Heads, New South Wales

Nambucca Heads is a town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia in the Nambucca Valley.[4] It is located on a ridge, north of the estuary of the Nambucca River near the Pacific Highway. Its 2011 population was 6,137 (6,327 in 2016 census), including 602 (9.7%) indigenous persons and 5,180 (83.3%) Australian-born persons in the Shire.[5] The place name is derived from an Gumbaynggirr word Ngambagabaga. Clement Hodgkinson asked two Ngamba men what the name of the area was they responded to Nyambagabaga as the spot they were standing was a bend in the river where a Ngamba giant was speared in the leg in the Dreaming. This location is the Foreshore Caravan Park now. Ngamba is a subsection of Gumbaynggirr Nation & Baga Baga means Knee. This was later interpreted as Nambucca.[6] It is a popular holiday and retirement destination.

Nambucca Heads
New South Wales
Nambucca Heads
Coordinates30°39′0″S 153°00′0″E
Population6,327 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2448
Elevation26 m (85 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Nambucca Valley Council
CountyRaleigh
State electorate(s)Oxley,[2]
Federal Division(s)Cowper[3]

The town is located on the North Coast railway line, and is served by the three daily New South Wales XPT services.

History
Nambucca Heads aerial panorama - sunset in 2018
Nambucca Heads panoramic perspective

Nambucca Heads is the current and historical homeland of the Gumbaynggirr people. Gumbaynggirr lands stretch from Pillar Valley, Tyndale, Grafton and Copmanhurst in the north, to Glen Innes, Guyra and Black Mountain to the west, and to Bowraville to the south.[7] The Nambucca River separated the Gumbaynggirr from the Dunghutti Ngaku. The name Nambucca comes from an Aboriginal word, ngambugka, variously translated as "winding or crooked river", and as "entrance to the waters." [7]

Europeans may have explored the area in 1818, and John Oxley surveyed the area in 1820.

The cutting of Australian red cedar had started in the area by 1842. It is believed that the first house was built in 1867, when about 50 people had settled in the valley to cut cedar or grow corn. The site of the town was surveyed in 1874 and the first hotel and school were both established in 1884. It was proclaimed a village in 1885.[8] The North Coast railway was extended from Taree to South Grafton in 1915, but Nambucca Heads station was not opened until 1923.[9]

Nambucca Heads has one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in Australia and also invented junior surf lifesaving known as Nippers.

Local media

Radio Stations 2CS-FM (106.3), Star FM (105.5 & 105.1), 2MC-FM (106.7), Triple J (91.5 & 96.3), 2NVR FM (105.9)

The Nambucca Valley's community radio station, 2NVR 105.9FM, focuses on the Macksville, Bowraville, Nambucca Heads and surrounding communities.

Newspapers Midcoast Observer, Hibiscus Happynings, Guardian News, Coffs Coast Advocate.

Television ABC, ABC2, SBS, SBS viceland, Prime7 Coffs Harbour (Prime), Southern Cross Ten (Ten), NBN

Schools

Transport

Nambucca Heads railway station, opened in 1923, on the North Coast Line. It is serviced by six NSW TrainLink trains per day.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Nambucca Heads (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. "Oxley Electoral District". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  3. "Cowper". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  4. "Nambucca Heads". Destination NSW. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  5. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Nambucca Heads (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  6. "Nambucca Heads". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  7. Townsend, N. 1993. Valley of the Crooked River: European Settlement on the Nambucca. New South Wales University Press, Sydney.
  8. "Nambucca Heads". Walkabout. Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
  9. "North Coast Line". www.nswrail.net. Retrieved 21 November 2006.
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