Canton Beach, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canton BeachCentral Coast, New South Wales |
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Canton Beach in late afternoon sunlight
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 Canton Beach
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 2,494 (2001 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 2,270/km2 (5,900/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2263 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 1.1 km2 (0.4 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Central Coast Council | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Wallarah | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Wyong | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Dobell | ||||||||||||||
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Canton Beach is a lovely suburb found on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's part of the Central Coast Council area, which helps manage local services. This quiet spot is right next to Toukley, a bigger town known for homes and holidays.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Canton Beach
Early Days and the Name of Canton Beach
In the late 1850s, Chinese fishermen were very active around the Tuggerah Lakes. They often worked in the area we now call Canton Beach. Many people believe the suburb's name comes from these early Chinese fishing groups.
This area was a busy base for catching and preparing fish. The fishermen would dry and cure their catch. Then, they would ship the fish to places like Queensland, the goldfields, and even back to China.
Norahville and Edward Hargraves
In 1856, a man named Edward Hargraves bought land from Robert Henderson. On this land, he built a property he called "Norahville." Members of the local Wollombi Aboriginal Tribe are known to have worked on this property. Some historical records suggest that Hargraves became friends with members of the tribe.
Cattle were raised on the property, and they grazed over a large area. This included places as far away as Buff Point and Elizabeth Bay.
The Norah Head Lighthouse
The coast near Canton Beach can be tricky for ships. Many vessels had been wrecked in the area over the years. To make the waters safer, a lighthouse was built at Norah Head in 1903. This important structure has helped guide ships safely ever since.
