South West Rocks, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South West RocksNew South Wales |
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South West Rocks
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 South West Rocks
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 5,443 (2021 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2431 | ||||||||
| Location | 40 km (25 mi) from Kempsey | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Kempsey Shire | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Oxley | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Cowper | ||||||||
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South West Rocks is a town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is located near the mouth of the Macleay River. The town is about 40 kilometers from Kempsey. Jerseyville is also nearby.
South West Rocks has a population of 5,443 people. This number grows a lot during holidays. Many people visit the town for its beautiful beaches. They also come to see places like Trial Bay Gaol and Smoky Cape Lighthouse. The ocean here is warm because of the East Coast current. This means you can swim all year round!
Trial Bay is special because it faces north. Most bays on Australia's east coast do not.
Contents
History of South West Rocks
The town of Arakoon was first set up in 1866. It was located on Trial Bay. By 1889, South West Rocks became a popular place for people to swim. It was a favorite spot for those from the Macleay Valley.
The name "South West Rocks" likely came from ship captains. They thought it was safest to anchor their ships near the rocks. These rocks were south-west of Laggers Point. This is where Trial Bay Gaol is built. Another idea is that ships were safe if they kept the rocks to their south-west.
Trial Bay got its name from a ship called The Trial. In 1816, convicts stole this ship. They wrecked it in the bay that now carries its name.
On May 13, 1770, Captain James Cook saw smoke from a fire on a mountain. He named it Smoky Cape. Today, the Smoky Cape Lighthouse stands on the land in front of this mountain.
In 1972, some old ships were wrecked on Main Beach. These ships were the Sydney Queen, Lurgurena, and Koondooloo. They broke free from their anchors during big storms. Parts of the ships were saved. But the hull of the Sydney Queen filled with sand. It could not be moved. So, it was burned down to the water to clear the beach.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1966 | 636 | — |
| 1971 | 845 | +32.9% |
| 1976 | 1,176 | +39.2% |
| 1981 | 1,314 | +11.7% |
| 1986 | 1,947 | +48.2% |
| 1991 | 2,886 | +48.2% |
| 1996 | 3,514 | +21.8% |
| 2001 | 4,110 | +17.0% |
| 2006 | 4,069 | −1.0% |
| 2011 | 4,816 | +18.4% |
| 2016 | 5,009 | +4.0% |
| 2021 | 5,443 | +8.7% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
Important Historic Places
South West Rocks has several places listed for their history. These include:
- 5 Ocean Drive: The South West Rocks Pilot Station Complex (in Arakoon)
- Cardwell Street: Trial Bay Gaol
- Lighthouse Road: Smoky Cape Lighthouse
Weather in South West Rocks
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56
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87
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137
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115
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Imperial conversion
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South West Rocks has a warm and wet climate. It is called a humid subtropical climate. February is usually the warmest month. The average high temperature is about 27.0°C. July is usually the coldest month. The average high temperature is about 18.7°C.
The town gets about 121 clear days each year. August has the most clear days, and January has the fewest. March is the wettest month, and September is the driest. South West Rocks gets the most rain in autumn. It gets the least rain in spring.
Heavy rain often comes from "East Coast Low Pressure systems." These weather systems can cause big floods. They can also cause beach erosion and wind damage. About four of these systems affect the area each year. They mostly happen from January to June.
Thunderstorms are common from September to March. October and November have a higher risk of strong thunderstorms. This is because the air conditions are often unstable. Hail is rare, happening only once every year or two. It is usually small.
Average Weather for South West Rocks
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Local Industry
South West Rocks has a long history of commercial fishing. Local fishermen, OceanWatch Australia, and the surf life saving club work together. They hold an annual "Loaves and Fishes Barbeque" on Good Friday.
Media and News
The South West Rocks News used to be a special section in The Macleay Valley Argus. This is no longer printed. Now, a free weekly paper called The Mid Coast Observer is delivered to homes. Also, a magazine called Macleay Valley Happynings comes out every Wednesday. TV shows usually come from Mt Moombil, near Coffs Harbour. Some places can also get signals from Middlebrother Mtn, near Taree. You can get radio signals from many places. These include Port Macquarie, Kempsey, and Coffs Harbour.
Town Growth and Areas
The town has grown a lot since the year 2000. The Rocks Central Shopping Centre opened in 2002. A new housing area called Oceanside was built next to it.
South West Rocks has five main areas:
- South West Rocks
- Arakoon
- Oceanside
- New Entrance
- Spencerville
Arakoon is to the east of South West Rocks. It is home to Trial Bay Gaol. New Entrance is the river mouth to the west. Locals also call the homes on a ridge near the river mouth "Sandfly Hill."
Oceanside is next to The Rocks Shopping Fair. It is a newer area with recently built houses. Spencerville is the most southern part of South West Rocks. It goes from The Rocks Shopping Fair to Spencers Creek Bridge. Spencerville used to be its own village. But new buildings in Oceanside have connected it to South West Rocks.
In 2023, a court allowed a new housing project to go ahead. The plan for this project was first made in 1993.
Nearby Suburbs
- South West Rocks
- Arakoon
- Sandfly Hill
- Jerseyville
- Oceanside
- Spencerville
Schools in the Area
South West Rocks has two pre-schools. It also has a public primary school, South West Rocks Public School. There is no high school in town. Students who go to high school travel to Kempsey. They can attend Melville High School, Kempsey High School, or St Paul's Catholic College. Some primary students also travel to other schools. These include St Josephs Primary School, Kempsey East Public School, Kinchela Primary School, or Kempsey Adventist School. The Adventist School teaches students from pre-kindergarten through high school.
Sports
The South West Rocks Marlins play in the Hastings District Rugby League competition.
See also
In Spanish: South West Rocks para niños
