Hardys Bay, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hardys Bay Central Coast, New South Wales
Population	227 (2016 census)
• Density	252/km2 (650/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2257
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Area	0.9 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Location	22 km (14 mi) S of Gosford 10 km (6 mi) SSE of Woy Woy 94 km (58 mi) N of Sydney
LGA(s)	Central Coast Council
Parish	Kincumber
State electorate(s)	Terrigal
Federal Division(s)	Robertson
Suburbs around Hardys Bay: Killcare Pretty Beach Hardys Bay Killcare Box Head

Hardys Bay is a lovely suburb located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It sits on the beautiful Bouddi Peninsula. This area is part of the Central Coast Council local government region.

Discovering Hardys Bay's Past

Hardys Bay got its name from Harry Hardy. He used to have a small vineyard here. He sold wine to the people living nearby. Today, Hardys Bay has local shops, cafes, an RSL Club, and a marina.

Early Inhabitants and Explorers

Before European settlers arrived, the coastal Guringai (Ku-ring-gai) tribe lived around Hardys Bay. You can still find signs of their history. These include rock carvings and shell middens. Middens are ancient piles of shells and other food remains.

On June 6, 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip sailed north. He entered Broken Bay and explored the coast. The first recorded European settler was James Mullen. He was given temporary use of about 250 acres (1 square kilometer) in 1824. He used the land for grazing animals. By 1829, he had 50 acres (0.2 square kilometers) of land. He also had 3 horses and 115 cattle.

In 1859, Captain Daniel Joyce bought 50 acres (0.2 square kilometers) from Mullen. This is where the Hardys Bay R.S.L. is now. Captain Joyce couldn't pay his debts. So, his land was sold to Mr. Robert Hardy, a farmer.

Connecting Hardys Bay to the World

For a long time, people reached Hardys Bay by ferry. This changed in 1936 when the Scenic Road opened. This road made it much easier to get to the area. Electricity came to Hardys Bay in 1939. Town water was connected in 1980.

Changes and Growth in Hardys Bay

In the 1960s, a lot of mining happened nearby. This was for a mineral called rutile. It took place at Putty and Killcare beaches. This mining removed large sand dunes. It also harmed many native plants and animals. The miners promised to replant the area. But they used a harmful plant called bitou bush. Now, local groups are working hard to remove it.

Over the last 30 years, property values have grown a lot. Many homes in the area are now worth millions of dollars. Hardys Bay is a popular spot for holiday homes. It is also a great place for people to retire. This is common for coastal areas near big cities.

Plans for the Marina

In 2007, there was a plan to update the Hardys Bay marina. This plan would have cost $13 million. It would have replaced the old marina and historic wharf. The new marina would have been much bigger. It would have included 100 parking spots over the water. The number of boat berths would increase from 23 to 100. There would also be more shops, cafes, and restaurants.

The plan also included a boat maintenance area. This facility would be open seven days a week. New marinas must also have a 24-hour sewage pump-out system. This helps protect the water.

The marina project tried to skip local council approval. It used a special process called Part 3A. This process reduces community involvement. The Minister for Planning and the Department of Planning make the final decision. Developers said there would be little environmental harm. However, some Grey Mangroves would need to be removed. Sea grass beds could also be damaged.

The Hardys Bay Resident Group rejected the plan in 2008. The Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association also did not support it. The Department of Planning rejected the plan in early 2008. This was after many complaints from people.

Famous Faces from Hardys Bay

• Felicity Ward, a well-known comedian, lived in Hardys Bay until she was eleven years old.