Mid North Coast facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mid North CoastNew South Wales |
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McBrides Beach, Forster, New South Wales
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Population | 308,372 (30 June 2016) | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 14.4187/km2 (37.344/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Area | 21,387 km2 (8,257.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) | ||||||||||||||
• Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) | ||||||||||||||
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State electorate(s) |
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The Mid North Coast is a country region in the north-east of the state of New South Wales, Australia. The region, situated 416km north of Sydney, covers the mid northern coast of the state, beginning from Port Stephens at Hawks Nest to as far north as Woolgoolga, near Coffs Harbour. The region has many beaches and subtropical national parks and forests as well as rural farmland and logging. Major coastal towns include Coffs Harbour, Forster and Port Macquarie. The Mid North Coast is a popular destination for camping or resorts and surfing, with coastal and hinterland tracks, with the unique heritage-listed mountain village of Bellbrook popular for day trips inland or 4wd campers and keen bass fishers.
Heading northwards beyond Newcastle, the Mid North Coast region's main towns include the towns of Bulahdelah, Forster, Tuncurry, Wingham, Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, South West Rocks, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. Of these Taree, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are the major commercial centres, all with large shopping centres, public facilities and attractions. Kempsey and Forster-Tuncurry are considered semi-major commercial centres. Smaller towns that are popular tourist spots are Bellbrook, North Haven, South West Rocks, Urunga, Gloucester, Crescent Head, Hawks Nest, Woolgoolga, Old Bar, Lake Cathie and Pacific Palms.
The region has a subtropical climate and is known for its waterways, beaches and hinterland of forests and farms. Major industries are farming, logging and tourism.
Contents
Demography and area
The following local government areas are contained within the region:
Mid North Coast rank | Local Government Area | Population 30 June 2016 | 10-year growth rate | Population density (people/km2) |
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1 | Mid Coast Council | 91,958 | 8.7 | 9.1 |
2 | Port Macquarie-Hastings Council | 79,905 | 14.2 | 21.7 |
3 | Coffs Harbour City Council | 74,641 | 12.0 | 63.6 |
4 | Kempsey Shire Council | 29,454 | 5.1 | 8.7 |
5 | Nambucca Shire Council | 19,521 | 6.7 | 13.1 |
6 | Bellingen Shire Council | 12,893 | 1.4 | 8.1 |
Mid North Coast | 308,372 | 10.0 | 14.4 |
Public transport
Bus
Many bus services run throughout the region. Providers include Buslines, Busways, Eggins, Ryans and Sawtell Coaches.
Rail
There are several railway stations on the Mid North Coast serviced by three trains; the Grafton, the Casino and the Brisbane XPT trains. Each run north and south once a day. Heading north from Sydney Central, the first station on the mid north coast is Gloucester followed by Wingham and Taree. Further north are Kendall, Wauchope (for Port Macquarie), Kempsey, Eungai, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Urunga, Sawtell and Coffs Harbour. There is no station for Forster–Tuncurry.