Bangalow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bangalow New South Wales
Byron Street—Bangalow's main street
Bangalow Location in New South Wales
Population	2,260 (2021 census)
Postcode(s)	2479
Location	765 km (475 mi) NE of Sydney 167 km (104 mi) S of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Byron Shire
State electorate(s)	Ballina
Federal Division(s)	Richmond

Bangalow is a charming small town in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of Byron Shire. The town is about 765 kilometres (475 mi) north of Sydney. It is also 167 kilometres (104 mi) south of Brisbane. You can find it just off the Pacific Highway. Bangalow is located on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung people.

The name 'Bangalow' comes from a Bundjalung word. This word is 'bangalla' from the Wibadhabi dialect. It is believed to mean 'a low hill' or 'a type of palm tree'.

Discovering Bangalow's Past

Bangalow has a rich history. Its old-fashioned streets and monthly markets attract many visitors. It is also close to the popular tourist spot of Byron Bay. This makes Bangalow a great place to visit.

Timber cutters first set up a camp here in the 1840s. A town began to grow on this site in the 1880s. For a short time around 1893, the town was called 'Granuaile'. This name likely came from an Irish pirate queen. Early settlers with Irish backgrounds chose this name. The railway station and a local pub were first named Granuaile. The town was renamed Bangalow in 1894. It was sometimes spelled 'Bangaloe'. The current spelling was made official in 1907.

Today, Bangalow is a lovely stop for holidaymakers. Many people visit for a day trip. Its main street has many cafes and unique shops. Local organic food is often served in cafes. You can also find it at the monthly farmers market. The town has many historic buildings. Many of them are built in the Federation architecture style. You can learn about these buildings on the Bangalow Heritage Walk. This is a self-guided tour.

Historic Buildings to Explore

Here are some of Bangalow's important heritage buildings:

• Bangalow A & I Hall: This hall was built in 1911. It was for the yearly Agriculture and Industrial show. But it has been used for many other events. It was a cinema and even a hospital during the 1919 Spanish flu outbreak. During wartime, it was used to say goodbye to soldiers. It was almost torn down in the late 1900s. But it was restored between 1991 and 1994. It reopened on June 11, 1994.
• Bangalow Police Station and Courthouse: These buildings were built in 1905 and 1909. This was when Bangalow was growing fast. Before the police station was built, police had to take people to Byron Bay. The Courthouse opened in May 1910. It was called the Bangalow Court of Petty Sessions. It operated until 1964. The old Courthouse building is now used as the Police Station.
• Bangalow Public School: This school first opened in 1884. It was first known as the Byron Creek Provisional School. It was renamed in 1907. In 1925, a brick building with four classrooms was built. This part of the school is now heritage listed.
• Bangalow Uniting Church: This church was first built in 1909-1910. But a tornado destroyed it in 1914. The church was then rebuilt. The church community is still active today.
• Granuaille Hotel: This hotel was built in 1891. It burned down on April 29, 1939. The building that replaced it in 1940 is now called the Bangalow Hotel.

Bangalow also has the Bangalow Heritage House Museum. It shares information about the town's history. The Bangalow Historical Society runs this museum. It is in a wooden building in the Queenslander-style. You can find it at the corner of Ashton and Deacon Streets.

Markets and Fun Events

Bangalow is famous for its markets and events.

• The Bangalow Farmers' Market happens every Saturday morning. It runs from 8 am to 11 am. These markets started in 2004. They feature many local farmers and producers.
• The Bangalow Markets are held once a month. They happen on the 4th Sunday at the showgrounds. These markets have been running since 1982.

A billy cart from the Bangalow Mens Shed.

Bangalow also hosts several big events each year:

• Bangalow Billy Cart Derby: This fun event is held in May. The Bangalow Lions Club hosts it. It started in 1994. People race homemade billy carts down the main street. There are races for different age groups and cart designs.
• Bangalow Show: This show takes place in November over two days. It highlights local farm life. It also shows off the area's activities and produce. The first show was held in 1897.
• Sample Food Festival: This festival is held in September at the showgrounds. Visitors can try small plates from restaurants. They can also taste drinks from breweries and distilleries. These come from all around the Northern Rivers Region.

Bangalow's Population

In the 2021 census, Bangalow had 2,260 people living there. Most people, 73.1%, were born in Australia. The next most common birthplaces were England (7.1%), New Zealand (3.0%), and the United States of America (1.2%). About 84.2% of people spoke only English at home. For religion, 61.38% said they had no religion. Other common responses were Catholic (11.8%) and Anglican (7.1%).

Images for kids

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  Private residence, Bangalow, May 2014

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  Corner store, May 2014

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  Bangalow Hotel, July 2011

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  A & I Hall Bangalow, September 2024