Nelligen, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NelligenNew South Wales |
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Wharf at Nelligen on the Clyde River
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 Nelligen
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 332 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2536 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Eurobodalla Shire | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Bega | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Gilmore | ||||||||||||||
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Nelligen is a small village in New South Wales, Australia. It sits right on the Clyde River on the beautiful South Coast. You can find it along the Kings Highway.
Contents
Where is Nelligen?
Nelligen is located on the western side of the Clyde River. It is close to where Nelligen Creek joins the river. The village is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) inland from Batemans Bay.
What services are in Nelligen?
Even though it's a small village, Nelligen has some useful services. You can find a general store there for your daily needs. There is also a hotel and a general cemetery.
A Look Back: Nelligen's History
The land where Nelligen now stands was originally home to Aboriginal people. These included the Walbanga, Murrinjari, and Bergalia clans. The name "Nelligen" was already in use when the first survey happened in 1828.
In the 1830s, timber cutters started clearing the area. They made way for a settlement and began building a road to Batemans Bay. The village of Nelligen was officially recognized in 1854. Two years later, a road leading inland to Braidwood was finished.
How Nelligen Grew
In the past, there were no bridges across the Clyde River. This meant that goods and minerals from southern New South Wales had to come to Nelligen. From there, they were loaded onto steamers that traveled twice a week to Sydney. The Illawarra Steam Navigation Company provided these important shipping services.
Nelligen's post office opened in 1858. A Protestant church was built in 1872, and the current Roman Catholic church dates from 1895.
By 1892, Nelligen's population had grown to 500 people. However, as new coastal bridges were built and Batemans Bay grew, Nelligen's trading opportunities began to shrink. By 1934, the population had fallen to 350. In 2006, it was 228. The 2016 census showed a population of 332, but this number includes the surrounding areas.
Gold in the Area
Between about 1860 and 1915, there were some gold mining activities in the Nelligen area.
The Nelligen Bridge
A punt service used to carry people and vehicles across the Clyde River at Nelligen. This service started in 1895. It continued until the first Nelligen Bridge opened on December 12, 1964.
A brand new bridge, built by Seymour Whyte, opened in February 2023. The original 1964 bridge was then taken down.
Images for kids
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Nelligen viewed across the Clyde River in the early morning mist; to the right is the 1964 built Kings Highway road bridge at the location of the former punt service.
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Mechanics' Institute at Nelligen, New South Wales built 1903
