Sawtell, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SawtellCoffs Harbour, New South Wales |
|
|---|---|
 Sawtell
Location in New South Wales
|
|
| Population | 3,788 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2452 |
| Elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | City of Coffs Harbour |
| State electorate(s) | Coffs Harbour |
| Federal Division(s) | Cowper |
Sawtell is a lovely suburb located in the City of Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales, Australia. It sits right next to Toormina on its western side. Sawtell is known for its beautiful beaches and friendly community feel.
Contents
Sawtell's Story: A Look Back
The story of Sawtell began in 1863. A small boat called a cutter, carrying a load of cedar logs, got stuck on what is now Sawtell Beach. A farmer from Coffs Harbour, Walter Harvey, gathered a team to save the logs. This led to a small group of people settling near the wreck.
About 40 years later, a man named Oswald Sawtell bought the land around the beach. He divided it into smaller pieces for homes and farms. Soon after, a train station, a post office, a school, and a hotel were built. By the 1930s, Sawtell had grown into a busy coastal village.
The first people to live on this land were Indigenous Australians from the Gumbaynggirr clan. They called the area where Sawtell now stands Bongil Bongil.
-
Sawtell's main street, First Avenue, with big fig trees
-
Sawtell's beach looking towards the north
-
A view of Sawtell Beach
Finding Sawtell on the Map
Sawtell is a suburb of the City of Coffs Harbour. You can find it on the north-eastern coast of New South Wales. It's right next to Toormina and Boambee. Sawtell is only about 10 kilometers south of Coffs Harbour.
The town is connected by the North Coast railway line. Six New South Wales XPT trains pass through daily, three going north and three going south. Sawtell station is a stop for all these trains if someone needs to get on or off. Coffs Harbour Airport is also very close, just north of Sawtell.
Who Lives in Sawtell?
At the time of the 2021 Census, Sawtell had a population of 3,788 people. About 3.7% of the people living in Sawtell were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. A census is like a big count of everyone living in an area.
Fun at Sawtell Beach
Sawtell Beach stretches from Sawtell Headland north to Murray's Beach. The headland also has a calm swimming spot called Sailors Bay. Local Surf Lifesavers keep the beach safe. They work from the Sawtell Surf Club, which is located in the middle of the beach.
Because of the sand dunes, there are no houses right on Sawtell Beach. Some homes look out over Bonville Creek, and others over Murray's Beach. A cool fact about Sawtell Beach is that the sand can make a "singing" sound when you walk on it, especially when it's dry!
Sports and Fun Events in Sawtell
Sawtell has many sports clubs and places to play.
- The Sawtell Panthers are the local junior and senior Rugby League teams. They play at Rex Hardaker Oval in Toormina.
- The Sawtell Scorpions are the local soccer club, based at Toormina Oval.
- The Sawtell Saints are the Australian Rules Football club. They play at Richardson Park, which is also home to the Sawtell Cricket Club.
There are also many other fun sports clubs. These include the Sawtell Golf Club, Sawtell Bowling Club, Sawtell Swimming Club, Sawtell Surf Lifesaving Club, and Sawtell Tennis Club.
The Sawtell Chamber of Commerce organizes several exciting events each year:
- Chilli Festival: This popular festival has over 100 stalls. You can find local and national sellers offering all kinds of chilli-based foods and products. It's a big family-friendly event.
- New Year's Super Fun Day: Held on New Year's Day, this event offers family entertainment. It includes exciting woodchopping displays, a fun run, and tug of war competitions. There is also live music and other fun activities.
- Ben Woods Cricket Tournament: This cricket competition takes place during the Christmas holidays. It's a friendly match between teams from Sawtell and Coffs Harbour.
- Surfing Competition: A special surfing event is held at Sawtell Beach. It helps raise money for people with spinal injuries. Surfers from all over New South Wales and Queensland come to compete.
Things to Do in Sawtell
Sawtell has a lively scene with modern cafes and restaurants. Boambee Creek is a great spot for safe swimming. You can also enjoy a walking path around the headland. Sawtell Headland is a popular place to go whale watching when it's the right season.
The local cinema has been updated and now has two screens for movies. You can also find all the usual shops and services like bakeries, a post office, hotels, motels, and a laundromat. Sawtell is also known for its excellent surf breaks, which are great for all skill levels and different wind conditions.
