Port Stephens
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Disambiguation: you may be looking for Port Stephens, Falkland Islands
Port Stephens is a large coastal inlet, located about 190 kilometers north of Sydney. It is larger than Sydney Harbour and has a narrow entrance between two striking hills of volcanic origin. The harbour is mostly shallow and sandy but contains sufficient deep water to accommodate large vessels; the Queen Mary docked there during World War II. It is excellent for fishing and recreational boating.
The port (and also its southern headland Point Stephens), were named by Captain Cook when he passed on 11 May 1770, honouring Sir Philip Stephens who was Secretary of the Admiralty. Stephens was a personal friend of Cook and had recommended him for command of the voyage.[1] It seems Cook's initial choice had actually been Point Kepple and Kepple Bay, but instead he used Kepple Bay later (see Keppel Bay).[2]
In 1791, coal was discovered in the area surrounding Port Stephens by escaped convicts, then known as 'bolters'.
Port Stephens has rather poor soil for the most part, and has limited agricultural potential. For this reason, no large towns developed there historically and it was never developed as a significant port. The major city and port of Newcastle developed at the mouth of the Hunter River, about 50 kilometers south of Port Stephens.
A number of small towns developed around the port as fishing, holiday and retirement communities. Since the 1970s, with improved road access from Sydney, and the increasing popularity of coastal retirement lifestyles, there has been major expansion of these towns. Port Stephens Council is the local government area, based in Raymond Terrace.
The Karuah River and the Myall River (through the Myall Lakes) drain into Port Stephens.
Towns on the shores of Port Stephens include Shoal Bay with its stunning beach and superb views, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay, Lemon Tree Passage, Karuah, and the coastal villages of Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Anna Bay and Corlette.
[edit] Sister cities
Port Stephens has the following sister city relationships, according to Sister Cities International, Port Stephens Council and Bellingham Sister Cities Association:
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ [1] A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 12, ed. Robert Kerr.
- ^ Ray Parkin, H. M. Bark Endeavour, Miegunyah Press, 2nd edition 2003, ISBN 0-522-85093-6, page 213.
