Bulahdelah, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bulahdelah New South Wales
Bulahdelah seen from nearby hills
Bulahdelah Location in New South Wales
• Density	5.6/km2 (15/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2423
Elevation	13 m (43 ft)
Area	270.6 km2 (104.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT (UTC+11)
Location	235 km (146 mi) NNE of Sydney 93 km (58 mi) NE of Newcastle 671 km (417 mi) S of Brisbane 75 km (47 mi) SSW of Taree 65 km (40 mi) SW of Forster
LGA(s)	Mid-Coast Council
Region	Mid North Coast
County	Gloucester
Parish	Willabah
State electorate(s)	Myall Lakes
Federal Division(s)	Lyne
Localities around Bulahdelah: Markwell Markwell Wootton Crawford River Bulahdelah Boolambayte Crawford River Nerong Bombah Point

Bulahdelah (/bʊləˈdiːlə/) is a friendly town located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's part of the Mid-Coast Council area. This town is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including the Myall River and the famous Alum Mountain. It's a great spot for exploring nature and learning about local history!

Where is Bulahdelah?

Bulahdelah is about 235 kilometers (146 miles) north of Sydney. It sits along the eastern and northern banks of the Myall River. This river joins the Crawford River nearby. A special feature of the town is the Alum Mountain, which rises up on its eastern side.

For many years, the main highway, the Pacific Highway, passed right through Bulahdelah. A large bridge over the Myall River, built in 1969, was part of this highway. However, in July 2013, a new section of the highway was built to go around the town. This bypass made the town quieter and safer for locals.

Bulahdelah's Past

What's in a Name?

The tall mountain next to Bulahdelah, which is 292 meters (958 feet) high, was first named by the local Aboriginal people, the Worimi. They called it "Boolah Dillah," which means "the Great Rock." Later, in 1818, a surveyor named John Oxley added "Mountain" to its name. Today, most people know it as "the Alum Mountain," but its official name is still Bulahdelah Mountain.

Mining History

The mountain is called "Alum Mountain" because a mineral called alunite was found there. Alunite is used to make alum, which has many uses, like in water purification and dyeing fabrics. Mining for alunite happened from 1878 to 1927, and again from 1934 to 1952. A special factory called "The Alum Works" was built to get the alum from the rock. Mining stopped in 1952 because it was no longer profitable. Since 1979, the NSW State Forests have managed the mountain.

The new Pacific Highway bypasses Bulahdelah, making the town quieter.

Important Events

In 1892, a timber bridge was built across the Myall River. This was an important link for the town. Later, in 1969, a new two-lane concrete bridge replaced it.

In 1970, a very powerful tornado swept through the forests just north of Bulahdelah. It was one of Australia's most destructive tornadoes ever recorded.

Who Lives in Bulahdelah?

According to the 2016 Census, there were 1,424 people living in Bulahdelah. Most people (83.8%) were born in Australia. Also, most people (91.2%) spoke only English at home. When it came to religion, the most common choices were Anglican (30.3%), Catholic (23.3%), and No Religion (21.9%).

Fun Places to Visit

The Alum Mountain

The Alum Mountain stands tall over Bulahdelah. From its top, you can see amazing views of the area, from Cabbage Tree Mountain all the way to the coast. You can reach a special lookout by walking trails, or you can drive about two-thirds of the way up. You might even spot old mining equipment and blast caves from when the mountain was mined! There's also an old mining cart trail, known as "the trolley track," which is part of the mountain's history.

Cabbage Tree Mountain

This is an area of State forest that's great for outdoor adventures. You can go camping and hiking here. The Cabbage Tree Mountain ranges are easy to spot from Bulahdelah and the Alum Mountain.

Tops to Myall Heritage Trail

If you love exploring, the Tops to Myall Heritage Trail is a great option. This trail goes through the beautiful natural areas around Bulahdelah, offering a chance to learn about the local heritage and environment.

Local Industries

Logging Industry

For a long time, logging was a very important industry in Bulahdelah. People worked cutting down trees for timber. However, in 1994, much of the forest land became part of National Parks. This meant less logging could happen. Even so, logging still helped the town's economy in the early 2000s.