Ocean Shores, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ocean ShoresNew South Wales |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
View of Ocean Shores from Lookout Park
|
|||||||||
 Ocean Shores
Location in New South Wales
|
|||||||||
| Population | 4,818 (2021 census) | ||||||||
| Established | 1977 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2483 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Byron Shire | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Ballina | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Richmond | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
Ocean Shores is a lovely coastal town in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, Australia. It is located near Billinudgel to the north and South Golden Beach and New Brighton to the east.
This town was started in 1977. It was first a large piece of land owned by Wendell West from Washington, USA. He had help from the famous American singer Pat Boone. The town was named after Boone's home in Ocean Shores, Washington.
Ocean Shores is found in the Brunswick Valley. This valley also includes the towns of Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. The town has its own shopping area and a big golf course. In 2021, about 4,818 people lived in Ocean Shores.
Contents
Ocean Shores Climate
Ocean Shores has a subtropical climate. This means it has warm weather for most of the year.
Summer is usually warm or hot. Some days can reach over 30 degrees Celsius. Winter is cool but mild, with only a few days below 14 degrees Celsius. Most winter days are around 20 degrees Celsius.
Spring and autumn are mild to warm. Temperatures are often around 25 degrees Celsius or higher. Winds can come from any direction. This means you might have warm days from the north or mild days from the south. Spring is often dry and windy. Thunderstorms are also common during summer.
Exploring Ocean Shores Geography
The southern part of Ocean Shores is on the edge of the Brunswick River area. This means much of the land is high up and has great views of the ocean. The northern part of Ocean Shores is mostly flat and right by the beach. The north arm of the Brunswick River flows through the northern part of the town.
Ocean Shores Public School and Ocean Shores Pre-School are both in northern Ocean Shores. The Public School opened in 1993. It moved from Billinudgel to its new spot in Ocean Shores.
A canal called 'Capriconia Canal' runs through northern Ocean Shores. It connects to Yelgun Creek. Most of northern Ocean Shores is next to the Billinudgel Nature Reserve.
Ocean Shores is located in New South Wales, close to the Queensland border. Billinudgel is to the north, and South Golden Beach and New Brighton are to the east. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is closer to Ocean Shores than Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. The closest larger towns are Lismore and Tweed Heads.
Getting Around Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores has a local bus service. Buses run five times a day. They connect Ocean Shores to Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, and Ballina.
The town is located between two airports. To the south is Ballina Airport. It has daily flights to Sydney and Melbourne. To the north is Gold Coast Airport. This airport has daily flights to most major Australian cities and some international places.
The closest old train station is at Mullumbimby. It is about a 10-minute drive south. In the past, trains went from here to Sydney. However, the train line closed in 2004. Now, if you want to catch a train, you go to Casino. From there, buses connect you to the train services.
Ocean Shores Community and History
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1976 | 255 | — |
| 1981 | 1,018 | +299.2% |
| 1986 | 1,826 | +79.4% |
| 1991 | 2,797 | +53.2% |
| 1996 | 3,361 | +20.2% |
| 2001 | 3,450 | +2.6% |
| 2006 | 3,856 | +11.8% |
| 2011 | 4,032 | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 4,300 | +6.6% |
| 2021 | 4,818 | +12.0% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
The people of Ocean Shores live in a beautiful area by the coast and river. The community includes people who have moved here from all over the world. It also has people who have lived in the area their whole lives.
The Midjimbul and Durumbil clans are the traditional Aboriginal people of this land. There are important Aboriginal sites in the area. These include ancient shell piles, called middens, along Marshalls Creek. The area has a rich history from its first people.
The Brunswick area, which includes Ocean Shores, was one of the first places where Europeans settled in what is now called the Byron Shire. This happened back in 1846.
The Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA) helps with local issues. This group and others like it have been working for the community since the town began.
In March 2022, Ocean Shores was affected by floods. Many buildings were damaged.
Local Farmers' Market
The New Brighton Farmer's Market is a great place to visit. It opens every Tuesday morning. You can find it from 8 AM to 11 AM.
Arts and Culture in Ocean Shores
The Ocean Shores Arts Expo is an art show held every year. It shows art in many different styles. These include:
- Watercolour and Gouache
- Mixed Media
- Printmaking
- Drawing and Pastels
- Oil and Acrylic
- Sculpture and 3D art
- Photography
- Digital Art
The Expo started in 2004. A group of local people wanted to create something positive for the community. The Lions of Brunswick/Mullumbimby helped pay for the event. They saw it as an important cultural event to bring people together.
Local history is a big part of the Expo each year. A local historian named Frank Mills shares stories about the area. The Art Expo takes place over a weekend in August every year. During the weekend, you can enjoy:
- Local musicians performing
- Art demonstrations
- A Youth art show
- A community artwork project
- The Artists cafe
Business and Local Economy
Ocean Shores and the nearby areas have a business group called Business Ashored. It started in 2012. This group works to help and support local businesses and the economy.
The Ocean Village Shopping Centre is a main meeting spot for people in Ocean Shores.
The village of Billinudgel is the gateway to the rural areas of The Pocket and Main Arm. Billinudgel village has many shops. These include a general store, the old Billinudgel Hotel, a post office, and a hair dresser.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
The Ocean Shores Golf Course has 18 holes. It is ranked as one of the top golf courses in New South Wales.
There are seven kilometers of ocean surf beach. It stretches from the North Head of the Brunswick River to Wooyun creek.
New Brighton Sports Oval and the new Ocean Shores Sportsfield are great for sports. They are used for regular soccer practice. They are also the home of the Shores United Soccer Club. This club has teams for both junior players and men.
At Waterlily Park, you can find two tennis courts. There is also outdoor gym equipment and play equipment for everyone to enjoy.
