Mollymook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MollymookNew South Wales |
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View of Mollymook Beach from Golf Avenue
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 Mollymook
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,083 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2539 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Shoalhaven | ||||||||||||||
| Region | South Coast | ||||||||||||||
| County | St Vincent | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Ulladalla | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | South Coast | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Gilmore | ||||||||||||||
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Mollymook is a lovely town on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's about a three-hour drive south of Sydney. In 2016, Mollymook had a population of 1,083 people. The nearby area, Mollymook Beach, had even more people, with 2,447 residents.
Mollymook is part of the larger Milton-Ulladulla area. This coastal region stretches from Burrill Lake in the south to Narrawallee in the north. It also includes the historic town of Milton a few kilometres inland.
The name "Mollymook" likely comes from "mollymawk." This is a name sailors gave to smaller types of albatross, a large seabird.
Mollymook is actually made up of two main parts. One part is called Mollymook Beach. This area is mostly homes and includes Bannister Headland. The other part is simply called Mollymook. Here you'll find the Mollymook golf and surf lifesaving clubs, plus places to stay like motels.
Contents
Mollymook's Past: A Brief History
Mollymook began as a farming area connected to Ulladulla. In 1859, the Mitchell family started a farm called "Molly Moke." This was near what is now Garside Road. A cemetery was opened overlooking the sea by 1893.
Around 1900, a man named John Coller let people visit the beach and rock pools on his family's land. This area is now known as Coller's Beach. Mollymook soon became known as a popular place to visit.
Before 1920, a company started mining for silica on Mollymook's southern headland. Silica is a mineral used in many products, like glass. This brought many workers to the area. Bannister Headland, at the northern end of Mollymook Beach, had a factory to crush silica. It also had a jetty to load the silica onto ships. In 1924, a special railway was built to carry silica from near Conjola. This silica was prepared and shipped from Mollymook. The mining industry slowed down during World War II.
In the 1990s, many older homes in Mollymook were replaced. New apartments and resort hotels were built. Like many towns on the south coast, Mollymook is a popular place for people to retire.
What You'll Find in Mollymook
Mollymook's economy mostly relies on tourism. It uses nearby Ulladulla for many services and jobs.
- Shopping and Services: There is a small shopping centre in northern Mollymook. It has a supermarket, a pharmacy, and other shops. You'll also find the Bill Andriski Mollymook Oval, a medical centre, and a bowling club.
- Places to Stay: Many places to stay are popular during summer holidays. These include motels, holiday homes, and fancy hotels like Bannister Head Lodge.
- Beach Safety: During busy holiday times, Mollymook's beaches are patrolled. Members of the Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club keep people safe.
- Cemetery: The Sandridge Memorial Gardens Cemetery has been used since 1893. It is the largest cemetery in the area. It is located at Ocean Street and Mitchell Parade, with views of Mollymook Beach.
- Public Transport: Ulladulla Bus Lines route 740 offers bus services six days a week. Buses travel towards Ulladulla and Milton, with several stops in Mollymook.
Fun and Games in Mollymook
Mollymook offers many ways to have fun, especially if you love sports and the outdoors!
Golfing Fun at Mollymook Golf Club
The Mollymook Golf Club has two golf courses.
- The Hilltop Course: This is an 18-hole Championship course. It's known for being challenging and beautiful. In 2006, it was ranked among Australia's top 100 golf courses. It has a lounge bar, a pro-shop, and practice areas.
- The Beachside Course: This is a smaller 9-hole course. It's perfect for casual golfers. The main clubhouse is next to Mollymook Beach. It offers food, drinks, and a large room with great beach views.
Bowling and Surf Lifesaving
The Mollymook Beach Bowling Club also has a restaurant. It offers fun activities like lawn bowls and poker tournaments.
The Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club holds many competitions. These include surf boat races and ocean swims. The club encourages "Nippers" to join. Nippers are junior members aged 5 to 14. They learn about water safety and surf lifesaving. Many Nippers grow up to patrol the local beaches. The club also has a small shop and rooms for events.
Rugby League at Bill Andriski Oval
The Bill Andriski Oval is the home ground for the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs. This rugby league team plays in the Group 7 competition. In 2004, a TV show called The Footy Show even broadcast live from the oval!
Surfing and Water Sports
Surfing is very popular in Mollymook. There are many great spots to surf, like Colliers, Golfies, and Kamakazes. Diving and spear fishing are also popular around the rocks. Bannister Head, north of Mollymook beach, has well-known spots for jumping into the water.
Visiting Mollymook: Top Attractions
Mollymook has more than just its famous surf beach. It also has some unique attractions for visitors.
The Bogey Hole: A Natural Pool
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One special spot is a large natural rock pool called the "Bogey Hole." This pool is protected from the open sea. This makes its waters calm and safe, which is great for families.
Collers Beach and Dog-Friendly Areas
Nearby Collers Beach is a good place for snorkelling. The Shoalhaven City Council has made it an off-leash area. This means dog owners can let their pets run and play freely. The northern end of Mollymook Beach is also popular. It's more open to the sea, making it a favourite spot for surfers.
Rick Stein's Restaurant
In 2009, a famous English chef named Rick Stein opened his first Australian restaurant in Mollymook. It's called 'Rick Stein at Bannisters'. This restaurant is located at 'Bannisters', a boutique hotel on the cliffs of Bannisters Point. The opening of this restaurant brought a lot of attention to Mollymook.
