Narrawallee (/nærəwɒl/ NARRA-wol-lee) is a coastal village in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.[2][3] At the 2016 census, it had a population of 1,241.[1] The village, along with its southern neighbours Mollymook and Mollymook Beach are generally considered part of the Milton-Ulladulla district within the City of Shoalhaven local government area. Narrawallee is predominantly a residential suburb, bordered by a tidal inlet to the north and Matron Porter Drive. The name "Narrawallee" is taken from the creek which flows eastwards from Milton and its estuary on the Tasman Sea and is itself a corruption of the Aboriginal words Nurrawerree or Narra Warra.[4]

Narrawallee
New South Wales
Narrawallee beach
Narrawallee is located in New South Wales
Narrawallee
Narrawallee
Coordinates35°18′S 150°28′E / 35.300°S 150.467°E / -35.300; 150.467
Population1,241 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2539
Elevation22 m (72 ft)
Location
LGA(s)City of Shoalhaven
RegionSouth Coast
CountySt Vincent
ParishConjola
State electorate(s)South Coast
Federal division(s)Gilmore
Localities around Narrawallee:
Milton Lake Conjola
Milton Narrawallee Tasman Sea
Milton Mollymook Beach Mollymook Beach

History

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The first inhabitants and traditional landowners of the area were the Budawang tribe of the Yuin nation. European activity in Narrawallee began in 1924 when a 610 mm (24 in) gauge tramway was constructed to transport silica from deposits near Conjola to a jetty at Bannister Head. This involved the construction of a bridge across the mouth of Narrawallee inlet using local timbers at a cost of £2600.[5] Silica transported on the tramway was crushed at a facility at Bannister Head, then shipped to steelworks at Newcastle and Port Kembla. The tramline survived until due to a downturn in production during World War II the rails were lifted in 1943 and the bridge dismantled the following year. Remnants of the bridge supports are still visible on the northern side of Narrawallee inlet.[6]

 
Narrawallee beach viewed from Bannister Headland

Present day

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Popular due to its coastal setting, development in the modern village of Narrawallee began in the 1960s and 70s[7] and is made up of a mix of permanent residences, holiday rentals and weekenders. Residential development is set back from Narrawallee Beach, providing a public foreshore reserve. During summer holiday periods, lifeguards from the Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club patrol the southern end of the beach.[8] A boat ramp at Narrawallee Inlet allows small vessels to be launched depending on tides and public restrooms, picnic and barbecue areas are also provided. The reserve provides opportunities for activities such as bush walking and fishing, as well as recreational water sports and is popular with families as the estuary is protected from the rough surf.

The village is served six days a week by local bus services to both Milton and Ulladulla by Ulladulla Bus Lines route 740. The Milton-Ulladulla Baptist Church is located in Narrawallee.

References

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  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Narrawallee (state suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 July 2017.  
  2. ^ "Narrawallee". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 February 2018.  
  3. ^ "Narrawallee". OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Place Names". ulladulla.info local website. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  5. ^ McAndrew, Alex. "The Narrawallee Story". Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve Plan of Management" (pdf). Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW). July 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Strategy 12: Caring for the Coast - Narrawallee Beach, Bannister Headland and Mollymook" (PDF). Umwelt (Australia) Pty Ltd. October 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club". Retrieved 6 April 2013.