Woolgoolga, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WoolgoolgaNew South Wales |
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Looking down to Woolgoolga from the headland
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 Woolgoolga
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 6,151 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2456 |
| Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) |
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Coffs Harbour |
| County | Fitzroy |
| State electorate(s) | Coffs Harbour |
| Federal Division(s) | Page |
Woolgoolga is a lovely town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's located on the Pacific Highway. The town is about 550 km north of Sydney and 365 km south of Brisbane. The closest big city is Coffs Harbour, which is only about 25 km south.
Woolgoolga has two beautiful beaches right on the Pacific Ocean. For a long time, the area was known for growing bananas. However, this industry has changed. Many banana farms have now been replaced by blueberries.
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Who Lives in Woolgoolga?
In 2021, Woolgoolga had 6,151 people living there. This included 283 Aboriginal people. Most residents, about 4,331, were born in Australia. The average age of people in Woolgoolga is 45 years old.
It's interesting to know that many people in Woolgoolga have strong ties to India. About 1,056 people speak Punjabi at home. Also, 1,059 people follow Sikhism, which is a religion. Around 550 people in the town are of Indian descent.
Woolgoolga's Past
Permanent European settlers first came to Woolgoolga in the 1870s. Before that, the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people lived in this area. The name "Woolgoolga" comes from the Aboriginal word "Wiilgulga." This word described the area and the Black Apple trees that grew there. The town's name was officially recorded as "Woogoolga" in 1888. It was changed to "Woolgoolga" in 1966.
Timber cutting and sawmills started in 1883. A government jetty was built in 1892. This jetty had tramways that led to sawmills in town. These sawmills were also connected by a light railway to the Jesse Simpson Range forests. The old jetty was taken down between 1952 and 1956.
Woolgoolga became an important place for Sikh people moving to Australia. Many Sikhs came to New South Wales and Queensland before 1901. After World War II, some Sikhs began to settle in Woolgoolga. This was because there was a need for workers in the banana industry. After the war, they were able to buy or lease banana farms. Woolgoolga now has the largest group of Sikh/Punjabi people in regional Australia. They are said to own most of the banana farms and are also growing blueberries.
Fun Things to Do in Woolgoolga
Woolgoolga is a popular place for tourists. It's right on the coast and has a nice, mild climate. The town is also quieter now because the Pacific Highway goes around it. Many travelers like to stop here on their journeys.
Whale Watching
The headland at Woolgoolga is a fantastic spot to watch whales. You can see them as they travel to warmer waters to have their babies. It's an amazing sight!
Special Events
Woolgoolga has been part of some big events. The Sydney 2000 Olympics torch relay passed through the town. The 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay also came through Woolgoolga.
In 2011, the area hosted Rally Australia. This was a big car racing event, part of the World Rally Championship.
The Buster Shipwreck
On March 8, 1893, a ship called the Buster got caught in a big storm. The 39-meter long vessel was pushed ashore. Its anchors broke, and it ended up stuck on the beach near the mouth of Woolgoolga Lake. The Buster was built in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1884. It had come to Woolgoolga from Sydney to pick up timber for New Zealand. The ship became a total wreck.
Temples in Woolgoolga
Woolgoolga is home to two beautiful Gurdwaras, which are Sikh temples:
- The First Sikh Temple Woolgoolga (This was the first Gurdwara built specifically for worship in Australia!)
- Guru Nanak Sikh Temple / Gurdwara (also known as 'The Temple on the Hill')
There is also another temple being built next to the First Sikh Temple.
Curryfest: A Big Celebration
Curryfest is the biggest event for the Woolgoolga community each year. It's a yearly party that celebrates Woolgoolga's Punjabi heritage. The festival started in 2006. It celebrates the culture of the local Sikh community.
What Happens at Curryfest?
Curryfest is full of fun activities. You can enjoy cooking shows with famous chefs. There's also dancing, a special area for kids, and a quiet space for mindfulness or meditation. A big stage hosts lots of musical entertainment. Before the main festival day, there are other activities. These encourage visitors to make a longer trip out of the festival.
The 2020 festival was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. For the 2021 event, there were plans for a "Bollywood Express" train. This train would travel from Sydney to Woolgoolga. On board, travelers could enjoy Dholi drummers and Indian-decorated carriages.
Sports Clubs in Woolgoolga
Woolgoolga has many sports clubs for different interests:
- Woolgoolga Seahorses: A Rugby league club. Their home games are played at the local high school fields.
- Woolgoolga United Football Club: A Soccer club located on High Street.
- Northern Beaches Blues Football Club: An Australian Rules Football club. They play in the AFL North Coast competition at Wiigulga Sports Complex.
- Woolgoolga District Netball Association: Started in 2006 for ages 5 and up. They have local games and also send teams to state championships.
- WASP (Woolgoolga Area Surfing Posse): A local boardriders club that holds surfing competitions.
- Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club: This club has been around since the 1930s. They patrol Woolgoolga Beach. Kids aged 5–14 can join Nippers. Older members (15+) can patrol the beach after getting their Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion.
- Northern Districts Cricket Club: Plays in the Coffs Harbour and Districts competition.
- Northern Beaches Hockey Club: A hockey club that plays in Coffs Harbour.
- Woolgoolga Athletics Club: Trains and competes in track and field at the high school oval during summer.
Famous People from Woolgoolga
Some well-known people have lived or have connections to Woolgoolga:
- Air Marshal Sir Charles Read (1919–2014): A former leader of the RAAF who retired in Woolgoolga.
- Actor Jack Thompson: He has helped a lot with community events in Woolgoolga.
- Emma Moffatt: A two-time women's triathlon world champion who went to Woolgoolga High School.
- Claes Loberg: A technology entrepreneur who grew up in Woolgoolga and attended local schools.
Schools in Woolgoolga
Woolgoolga has three schools for students:
- Woolgoolga High School: A public high school that opened in 1981.
- Woolgoolga Public School: A public primary school that opened in 1884.
- St Francis Xavier Primary School: A Catholic primary school that opened in 1994.
Library and Cultural Places
- Library: The Coffs Harbour City Library and Information Service has a branch in Woolgoolga.
- Museums: You can visit the Woolgoolga RSL Sub-branch Museum.
Local News and Radio
- Woopi News: A free community magazine that you can read in print.
- The Coffs Coast Advocate: A digital newspaper that you can subscribe to.
- Fresh FM: Woolgoolga's own radio station at 87.6 fm. You can also listen online.
Getting Around Woolgoolga
- Buses: Forest Coach Lines runs bus services between Coffs Harbour and Grafton.
- Coaches: Greyhound Australia also has services here.
Woolgoolga has its own Taxi Service for getting around town.
The closest train station is Coffs Harbour railway station. The nearest airport is Coffs Harbour Regional Airport.
