Broulee, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BrouleeNew South Wales |
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Broulee Island looking south from Burri Point
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 Broulee
Location in New South Wales
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| Postcode(s) | 2537 | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Eurobodalla Shire | ||||||||||||||
| County | Dampier | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Broulee | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Bega | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Gilmore | ||||||||||||||
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Broulee is a lovely town on the south coast of New South Wales. It sits between the bigger towns of Batemans Bay and Moruya. In 2016, about 1,717 people lived there.
Right off the beach is Broulee Island. It's usually connected to the mainland by a sandy strip. But sometimes, this strip gets covered by water, making the island separate. Broulee was once home to the first harbour south of Batemans Bay. It was located behind what we now call Broulee Island.
Contents
A Look Back at Broulee's Past
How Broulee Started
Broulee was officially planned as a town in 1837. A town map was drawn in 1839 by James Larmer. Land sales began in 1840. Around this time, a post office opened. Mail was delivered weekly from Braidwood, travelling over the mountains.
In the 1840s, Henry Clarke started farming in the Broulee area. He had moved to Australia from Ireland. The first court in the region was set up in Broulee in 1840. By 1841, Broulee became the main police centre. This police district covered a large area from Jervis Bay to Eden, New South Wales.
Shifting Importance to Moruya
In 1841, a big flood washed away a sandbar at the mouth of the Moruya River. This made the river easier to use for boats. Land along the river became available for sale from 1848. The town site for Moruya was surveyed in 1850 and officially named a town in 1851.
That same year, gold was found at Araluen. This area was inland from Moruya and near Braidwood. The road from Moruya to Araluen became the best way to get to the goldfields. Because of this, many important services and businesses moved from Broulee to the growing town of Moruya.
Buildings on the Move
By 1859, the court building itself was moved to Moruya. Even the Erin-go-Bragh Hotel was shifted from Broulee Island to Campbell Street in Moruya. The hotel building was first used as a store. Later, it became the storekeeper's home. It was taken down in 1978 to make way for new council offices. You can still see the old foundations of the inn on Broulee Island today.
Broulee's harbour became unusable in 1873. People removed plants from the sandy strip that connected the island to the mainland. This caused the sand to wash away, making Broulee Island separate. But in recent decades, this sandy strip, called a tombolo, has reformed.
Things to See and Do in Broulee
Local Sights and Services
There is a lighthouse on Burrewarra Point, just north of Broulee. It helps guide ships.
Broulee's southern beach has a Surf Lifesaving Club. They have facilities like toilets, and you can get there by a road below the headland. There's also a boat ramp here, but you need good weather to use it. Broulee doesn't have its own police station; the closest one is in Moruya. The local Rural Fire Service has a volunteer station, ready to help in emergencies.
There are several schools in the area. The biggest is St Peters Anglican College, which teaches students from Kindergarten all the way to Year 12.
Fun for Visitors
Since 1972, Broulee Island has been protected as the Broulee Island Nature Reserve. It's a great place to explore nature.
If you're looking for a place to stay, Broulee has a modern caravan park. You can find cabins and places to park your own caravan there. There's also a basic camping area at the southern end of South Beach. This spot is close to Moruya Airport and the Moruya River, which has a boat ramp. Other places to stay include a motel, bed and breakfast spots, and holiday cottages you can rent.
There are many fun activities to do in Broulee. You can go surfing, swimming, wind surfing, or fishing. You can fish from the beach, rocks, in the river, or out in the ocean. Walking and bicycling are also popular. Many people enjoy driving to nearby beaches and headlands to see the beautiful views. If you like adventure, you can go four-wheel driving in the nearby State Forests and National Parks.
In recent years, more and more whales have been seen near Broulee. You might spot southern right whales, which sometimes rest in the area or even swim into the Moruya River. Humpback whales are also common. You can also see Bottlenose dolphins, Australian sea lions, and sea turtles from the shore.
A short drive away is Mogo, a small village known for its artists, crafts, and food. Mogo also has historic goldfields and the famous Mogo Zoo. Broulee is a popular place for people from Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory to visit on weekends.
