Macksville, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MacksvilleNew South Wales |
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 Macksville
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 2,782 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2447 |
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) |
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Nambucca Valley Council |
| State electorate(s) | Oxley |
| Federal Division(s) | Cowper |
Macksville is a friendly town located on the Nambucca River in the Nambucca Valley, New South Wales, Australia. It's like a pit stop, being almost exactly halfway between the big cities of Sydney and Brisbane. You can find it along the Pacific Highway. It's about 40 minutes north of Kempsey and 40 minutes south of Coffs Harbour.
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Who Lives in Macksville?
At the 2021 census, Macksville had a population of 2,782 people. This number counts only the town itself. The signs at the town entrance might say 7,000, but that includes Macksville and all the areas around it.
Here's a quick look at how the population has changed over the years:
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1954 | 2,007 | — |
| 1961 | 2,114 | +5.3% |
| 1966 | 2,129 | +0.7% |
| 1971 | 2,252 | +5.8% |
| 1976 | 2,277 | +1.1% |
| 1981 | 2,352 | +3.3% |
| 1986 | 2,811 | +19.5% |
| 1991 | 2,869 | +2.1% |
| 1996 | 2,712 | −5.5% |
| 2001 | 2,658 | −2.0% |
| 2006 | 2,658 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 2,786 | +4.8% |
| 2016 | 2,598 | −6.7% |
| 2021 | 2,782 | +7.1% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
Cool Places and Buildings
Macksville has some important spots. You can find the Macksville Bridge, the Macksville RSL (Returned and Services League) club, and the Star Hotel. These are all on River Street and offer great views of the Nambucca River. The main offices for the Nambucca Valley Council, which manages the local area, are also located here.
A Look Back: Macksville's History
Macksville got its name from two people, Angus Mackay and Hugh McNally. They built the Star Hotel way back in 1885. The area was first called Macks Village before it became Macksville.
The local post office, originally named Nambucca Post Office, opened on August 1, 1868. It was officially renamed Macksville in 1889. A very important road bridge over the Nambucca River opened on December 12, 1931. This bridge carried the Pacific Highway and replaced an old ferry service.
A famous Australian cricketer, Phillip Hughes, was born and grew up in Macksville. After he passed away in 2014, his funeral was held at Macksville High School. This event brought a lot of attention to the quiet town. In December 2017, a new bridge that bypasses the town was named the Phillip Hughes Bridge in his honor.
Historic Buildings in Town
Macksville has some places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites:
- The Macksville railway station, part of the North Coast railway line.
- The Macksville Post Office on River Street.
What Macksville Makes: Local Industry
Express Coach Builders, which used to be called Nambucca River Engineering, has been building bus bodies in Macksville since 1971. This means they create the main structure and outside parts of buses.
News and Entertainment
You can listen to several radio stations in Macksville, including Triple M (106.3 FM and 106.7 FM), hit (105.5 FM and 105.1 FM), and Triple J (91.5 FM and 96.3 FM). There's also a local community radio station called 2NVR 105.9FM. This station focuses on news and events for Macksville, Bowraville, Nambucca Heads, and nearby communities.
For local news, people read papers like the Midcoast Observer, Hibiscus Happynings, and Guardian News. While there aren't local TV stations, all the major free-to-air TV channels broadcast to the town.
Sports and Fun Activities
Macksville has a strong love for sports. Every November, the town hosts the 120-meter Macksville Gift. This is New South Wales' oldest professional foot race. In 2023, Leonard King won the Men's Gift, and Emma Lee won the Women's Gift.
The town is also very passionate about rugby league. The local team, the Macksville Sea Eagles, has been part of the Group 2 Rugby League since 1912. Between 2002 and 2007, the Sea Eagles won five Group 2 championships.
Well-Known People from Macksville
Many talented people have come from Macksville, including:
- Daniel Fitzhenry, a rugby league player.
- Matt Gillett, a rugby league player for the Brisbane Broncos and Australia.
- Phillip Hughes, a famous Test cricketer.
- Greg Inglis, a rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Australia, who spent some of his childhood here.
- Albert Kelly, a rugby league player for the Brisbane Broncos.
- Frank Partridge VC, a decorated World War II soldier.
- David Pereira, a cellist.
- Aden Ridgeway, a former Senator for New South Wales.
- Noel Rowe, a poet.
- Ryan Stig, a rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights.
Schools in Macksville
Students in Macksville can attend several schools:
- Macksville Public School
- St Patrick's Primary School
- Macksville High School
- Macksville Adventist School
Events and Festivals
Macksville hosts an annual show, usually on the last weekend of April. The showground also has other events throughout the year, like cattle sales and the "Rusty Iron Rally," which celebrates old machinery.
From 2013, Macksville also held a river festival. This event featured fireworks, music, and even magical floating lanterns. It was organized by the Macksville and Nambucca Rotary Clubs. A new riverside stage was built for the 2015 festival. However, the event was stopped in 2016 because it became too expensive to run.
Getting Around: Transportation
Macksville is located on the Pacific Highway, making it a central point between Sydney and Brisbane. In late 2017, a new bypass was opened, meaning the highway now goes around the town instead of through it. The new bridge over the Nambucca River, built as part of this bypass, is officially called The Phillip Hughes Bridge.
Macksville railway station is also part of the North Coast railway line, connecting the town by train.
