Bawley Point is a small coastal hamlet in New South Wales, Australia, in the Shoalhaven with a population of 565 people[1]. It is located 30 minutes south of Ulladulla, New South Wales, and 30 minutes north of Batemans Bay on the South Coast of NSW. The town's name is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "Brown snake".[2]
Bawley Point is well known throughout the region for its fine beaches and peak surf conditions. There is a butcher, baker, bottle shop, caravan park, real estate agent, hardware, take away, and an IGA store at the local shops. Bawley Point is well known and frequented by holiday makers from Canberra and Sydney. Next to this hamlet is the neighbouring Kioloa and Termeil.
The Bawley Point Iron Man is a popular annual event which takes place in early January at Gannet Beach, local to Bawley Point. The event includes not just "iron man" races (constituted of run/swim/run/paddle/run legs) in both male, female and age categories but also flag racing and a beach volleyball competition.
On an historical note, on 23 April 1770, James Cook in the HMS Endeavour made his first recorded direct observation of indigenous Australians at Brush Island near Bawley Point, noting in his journal: "...and were so near the Shore as to distinguish several people upon the Sea beach they appear'd to be of a very dark or black Colour but whether this was the real colour of their skins or the C[l]othes they might have on I know not."[3]
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