Urunga, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids UrungaNew South Wales |
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Urunga
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 Urunga
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 3,185 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2455 |
| Elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
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| LGA(s) | Bellingen Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Oxley |
| Federal Division(s) | Cowper |
Urunga (pronounced yoo-RUN-gə) is a small town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Bellingen Shire.
This town is known for its great surf spots. These include reefs, beaches, and the mouths of two rivers. In 2021, about 3,185 people lived in Urunga.
Urunga is located south of Coffs Harbour and Sawtell. It is north of Nambucca Heads. The name "Urunga" comes from the Gumbaynggirr word Yurūnga. This word means "long white sands."
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Exploring Urunga's Geography
Urunga has two main streets. You can find both a bowling club and a golf club here.
If you like soccer, there's a weekly game. It's held on Thursdays at the Oval on Morgo Street. Locals often call this field "The Cabbage Patch."
Urunga's Interesting History
Urunga is a popular place for fishing. Bream is a common sport fish caught here.
The Urunga boardwalk is a famous spot. It goes over the tidal Urunga Lagoon and out to the beach. The boardwalk was first rebuilt in 1988. It was made longer in 1991. The full boardwalk was finished in 2007. In 2010, another part was added. This extension reaches the mouth of the river. Now, the boardwalk is almost 1 kilometer long!
Hungry Head beach is about 4 kilometers south of Urunga. It is the only beach in Urunga with lifeguards.
Native Title Rights in Urunga
On December 8, 2017, an important decision was made. The Federal Court of Australia ruled that the Gumbaynggirr People have special rights to land and water. This area is at Wenonah Head, near Urunga. This decision settled the oldest native title claim in New South Wales.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1966 | 924 | — |
| 1976 | 1,207 | +30.6% |
| 1976 | 1,609 | +33.3% |
| 1981 | 2,045 | +27.1% |
| 1986 | 2,336 | +14.2% |
| 1991 | 2,666 | +14.1% |
| 1996 | 2,716 | +1.9% |
| 2001 | 2,706 | −0.4% |
| 2006 | 2,687 | −0.7% |
| 2011 | 2,523 | −6.1% |
| 2016 | 2,599 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 2,731 | +5.1% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
Local Culture and Events
Urunga celebrates special days with fun events. In September, they have a "Picnic in the Park" for Father's Day. In November, there's a Flathead fishing competition.
Education in Urunga
Urunga has schools for young people.
- Urunga Public School
- Stepping Stones preschool
Getting Around Urunga
The Urunga railway station opened in 1923. It is on the North Coast line. Country passenger trains still stop here.
Discovering Urunga Wetlands
In May 2017, the Urunga Wetlands opened to visitors. It has a 150-meter boardwalk that is good for wheelchairs. There is also a 450-meter walking track around the park.
Wetlands Restoration Project
Years ago, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this area had a factory. It processed a heavy metal called antimony. This metal and others leaked into the wetlands. This made it one of the most polluted natural places in New South Wales.
In 2015, a big project started. It cost $10 million to clean up the area. Workers treated over 36,000 tonnes of polluted soil. This soil was then stored safely on site. Now, the Water quality in the wetlands is good again. Birds and other wildlife have started to return!
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