Trial bay gaol is in the trial bay gaol precinct of arakoon national park. Are you looking for the complete holiday destination. The history of south west rocks prepared by caroline carey, tales of trial bay maryborough 1995, in addition to providing a history of the gaol also documents the early development of south west rocks and arakoon. Laggers point provides a dramatic setting for trial bay gaol jail. Dont be alluded into thinking there is nothing to do in a town the size of south west rocks.
South west rocks is a beautiful town located in the macleay valley. South west rocks local history this page is designed to provide space for people of the community to provide local history information about their community and to provide links to relevant history sites related to this community. Sitting proudly on trial bay, nestled against the mouth of the macleay river, is the pristine seaside village of south west rocks far from the hustle and bustle of the city, away from the busy highway, and nothing like the other overdeveloped resort towns on the coast, south west rocks is somewhere you can really kick back, unwind and forget about the stresses of life. It was now used to house 500 men of german descent, classified as enemy aliens. South west rocks chamber of commerce and nsw national parks and wildlife service wish to invite you to participate in the 2018. South west rocks accommodation things to do in south. Back in september 2009 dorota and i visited trial bay gaol when we booked a weekend away to dive fish rock cave at south west rocks. Interesting part of australian history trial bay gaol. Trial bay gaol halfway between sydney and brisbane near south west rocks was used as a public works prison and world war 1 internment camp housing. Big4 nrma south west rocks holiday resort book direct. A site of spiritual significance to the local aboriginal people is located near trial bay gaol and another in nearby south west rocks would have been a focus of. The nsw government decided that as this type of prison system was no longer viable and. This is the twelfth in my series of short reflections on different places in australia and new zealand, which i visited in november 2019 map of australia and new zealand.
South west rocks dive centre is located at 598 gregory street, south west rocks. Make time for a glimpse into australian history, exploring the historic ruins of trial bay gaol. The areas beaches as well as manmade attractions such as trial bay gaol and. The tourist population of south west rocks increases markedly during the holiday season. South west rocks is 456km north of sydney a fivehour drive, or 20 minutes northeast of kempsey, nsw. North rocks is a suburb in the hills district within greater western sydney, in the state of new south wales, australia, located 26 kilometres north west of the sydney central business district. Effectively an outlying suburb of the seaside town of south west rocks around 4 km away where there are cafes, restaurants, quaint movie theatre, pubs, an ice creamgelati shop, a supermarket, iga and a country club with restaurant, bowls, golf, tennis and a pool. The breakwater trial bay had been recognised as a safe shipping refuge from southerlies ever since its naming after the wreck of the brig trial in 1817. It is the only example of a station prison specifically constructed to carry out a public work. A weekend in south west rocks, maceay valley coastbeat.
South west rocks dive centre offers daily charter dives to fish rock, and caters for everyone from entrylevel to instructorlevel divers. The macleay river, south west rocks creek, salt water creek and the ocean would have supplied the. South west rocks country club is also a short stroll in the same street and you can also enjoy a cold beerwine great meals or if you like there is a coffee shopmeals if youd prefer something light. South west rocks accommodation the easiest way book your next holiday.
Today, a german monument and a powder magazine may be. Step back in time on a guided tour of trial bay gaol, soaking up the history and the amazing coastal views that surround it. Looking for accommodation in south west rocks, nsw. Jan 31, 2020 the view from trial bay gaol, south west rocks, new south wales. In my last post i shared some stories about the history of trial bay gaol at south west rocks, and today i write about hat head national park and smoky cape lighthouse. Other than the spelling, there is no difference between the words. Trial bay gaol jail, laggers point, south west rocks. South west rocks may be divided into five main areas. South west rocks in nsw is one of those proper secret gems to visit near sydney even many aussies have never heard of it. Trial bay gaol south west rocks 2020 all you need to. Trial bay gaol south west rocks 2020 all you need to know. Following the amalgamation of council areas in 2016, the majority of north. South west rocks is located on the mid north coast of new south wales, australia, near the mouth of the macleay river. South west rocks cellars in paragon street offer good advice and a good selection of wines.
In the 19th century, coastal shipping was the main means of transport. Following the amalgamation of council areas in 2016, the majority of north rocks falls into the council a. Its ideal for both the surfer and swimmer and there are four spectacular beaches. Today, a german monument and a powder magazine may be found a short distance from the gaol ruins. South west rocks, nsw, australia including trial bay. If youre wondering where south west rocks is, its located just over an hours drive south of coffs harbour and a good 5 hour drive from sydney near to nambucca heads. Trial bay gaol is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. It was established in 1876 as an experimental public works gaol. Following the success of the sculpture in the gaol exhibition over the past ten years, trial bay gaol will once again be transformed into a dramatic artistic landscape with sculptures displayed throughout the gaol site. The manmade rock walls of the macleay rivers new entrance can be seen about 1km west along back beach. Top gaols to visit in sydney and new south wales sydney.
The gaol is run by the national parks and wildlife service, who offer tours and school. It is also the home to the famous trial bay gaol and smoky cape lighthouse. It is a beautiful, historyfilled, heritage listed attraction located in arakoon national park near south west rocks on the nsw north coast. North rocks is a suburb in the hills district within greater western sydney, in the state of new south wales, australia, located 26 kilometres northwest of the sydney central business district. South west rocks accommodation things to do in south west rocks. Set in the oceanside town of south west rocks, this caravan park has accommodation options to suit every family. The prison labourers were there to construct a breakwater to make trial bay a safe. South west rocks, its neighbouring historic trial bay gaol arakoon, nearby ocean beaches such as gap beach, and smoky cape attract visitors and locals alike with surf, protected coves, dolphin and whale watching as well as the natural and pastoral beauty of the region. Construction for these break walls commenced in 1896. South west rocks, is it a real place on the coast of new south wales, or a mental space of peace and calm and endless holidays.
Gaol was common outside north american until fairly recently it was stamped out of american english in the early 19th century, and dropped out of canadian use about a century later, but it underwent a steady decline through the 20th century and now appears. This south west rocks, trial bay gaol cells photo can also be sent as an electronic postcard. For a glimpse into australian history, head to south west rocks to explore the historic ruins of trial bay gaol. It must have been a strange feeling building a prison in such a beautiful setting. South west rocks, trial bay gaol cells photograph, one of thousands of australian photographs displayed within the massive australian explorer photo gallery. Within the arakoon state recreation area is the historical trial bay gaol and the. Jun 06, 2019 dont be alluded into thinking there is nothing to do in a town the size of south west rocks. Jerseyville is located nearby the population of south west rocks is 4,069 people, 1 though the town maintains a steady growth rate, the tourist population of south west rocks increases markedly during the holiday season. May 27, 2014 south west rocks dive centre offers daily charter dives to fish rock, and caters for everyone from entrylevel to instructorlevel divers. If you enjoy swimming in pristine ocean water, taking in the sights, learning about history, or relaxing in a deck chair under a pine tree, theres plenty of things to. Arakoon national park, trial bay gaol access road, south west rocks nsw 2431 postal address.
The south west rocks dive centre also offers good dives at ladies reef, gaol reef, black rock and green island. Make sure you see the view from the sentrys lookout. Located at at the mouth of the macleay river, south west rocks is a perfect place to enjoy a family beach holiday. Arakoon is located to the east of south west rocks and is home to trial bay gaol.
Gaol is an obsolescent spelling of the word now usually spelled jail. Newspaper article tweed daily news tweed heads, australia south west rocks. South west rocks is at trial bay gaol, south west rocks. It is possible to book the head lighthouse keepers cottage built in 1891 and two assistant. South pacific australia new south wales south west rocks. Po box 25, south west rocks nsw 2431 opening hours. There is a bike trail between arakoon and south west rocks. If you enjoy swimming in pristine ocean water, taking in the sights, learning about history, or relaxing in a deck chair under a pine tree, theres plenty of things to do in south west rocks that will fill your days.
Aug 16, 2016 south west rocks, is it a real place on the coast of new south wales, or a mental space of peace and calm and endless holidays. Following the amalgamation of council areas in 2016, the majority of north rocks falls into the council area of the city of parramatta. By 1903 the advent of sturdier ships meant that a refuge was no longer needed. Trial bay gaol is a gaol youll want to find yourself inside. The population of south west rocks is 5,3 people, and maintains a steady growth rate. The gaol opened in 1886, after years of construction. The series nrs 2549 consists of individual looseleaf sheets each including a photo or photographs mugshots of a prisoner, accompanied by the following details. Definitely worth the trip up the goal is amazing and the history worth the visit. Immediately below you is the mouth of south west rocks creek.
The seabreeze beach hotel is located in the heart of south west rocks on the midnorth coast of new south wales. South west rocks is a coastal town which attracts both holidaymakers and retirees. Smoky cape lighthouse smoky cape lighthouse is located on the edge of the hat head. Our family only spent three nights at south west rocks, but we totally understand why others come back here for a week or two year after year after year. The view from trial bay gaol, south west rocks, new south wales. South west rocks is a beautiful seaside town on the nsw mid north coast, located 20 minutes off the pacific highway by a good sealed road. South west rocks including hat head national park, arakoon and trial bay sleepy coastal town which is a well kept secret. It is a beautiful, history filled, heritage listed attraction located in arakoon national park near south west rocks on the nsw north coast.
The management of this site realises that this list may not be complete. The areas beaches as well as manmade attractions such as trial bay gaol and smoky cape lighthouse are local tourist attractions. The book gentle art of photography is made of paper and card. Trial bay gaol, south west rocks, south west rocks. South west rocks, arakoon, oceanside, new entrance and spencerville. Trial bay gaol south west rocks all you need to know before. It is the only example of a station prison specifically constructed to carry out a. Escaping south for a spot of blissful serenity the gaol was closed in 1903 but reopened in 1915 during world war i as an internment camp for men of german and austrian origin who were resident in australia, despite some of them being second or third generation australians. This entrance is often difficult and dangerous to navigate. Prior to european settlement in australia the land now known as arakoon national park where trial bay gaol is located was associated with the dunghutti people who lived and moved through the macleay valley following the seasonal supply of food resources. You can still contact us by phone on weekdays or email for information. When the area was developed, arakoon was intended as the major town in the area, but history has a way of changing the plans of men, and south west rocks has taken on that role. Contacts trial bay gaol visitor centre nsw environment. It has had an interesting and varied history, beginning in 1876 with its use as a public works gaol where inmates were required building a nearby breakwall.
Trial bay gaol south west rocks all you need to know. Trial bay gaol has had an interesting and varied past. South west rocks is located in the traditional lands of the dunghutti. New entrance is the river mouth located to the west of south west rocks and locals also refer to the residential area on a ridge just to the. Book your tickets online for trial bay gaol, south west rocks. Trial bay gaol trial bay gaol is located in south west rocks on the states mid north coast. The history of south west rocks nrma parks and resorts.
1164 644 335 1437 1165 699 73 1090 507 510 978 679 1424 471 991 1325 527 359 520 432 633 1181 64 385 883 1420 556 1416 1175 230 1499 1202 688 1110 218 1244 313 1111 853 607 1066