South Durras, New South Wales

South Durras
New South Wales
South Durras
Coordinates 35°39′44″S 150°17′32″E / 35.66222°S 150.29222°ECoordinates: 35°39′44″S 150°17′32″E / 35.66222°S 150.29222°E
Population 327 (2006)[1]
 • Density 101.74/km2 (263.5/sq mi)
Established 1937
Postcode(s) 2536
Elevation 25 m (82 ft)
Area 3.214 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s) Eurobodalla Shire
Region South Coast
State electorate(s) Bega
Federal Division(s) Eden-Monaro
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
24.1 °C
75 °F
5.9 °C
43 °F
956.8 mm
37.7 in

South Durras is a small village on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. South Durras is located approximately 280 kilometres south of Sydney and 15 kilometres north of Batemans Bay, in the local government area of Eurobodalla Shire. The village is surrounded by the Murramarang National Park.[2]

History

Prior to white settlement, South Durras was home to the Yuin people whose land covered much of the South Coast of New South Wales. Just north of South Durras in the Murramarang Aboriginal Area is what is believed to be the largest midden on the South Coast.[3] While there was some initial hostility between the Yuin and the white settlers, introduced diseases such as smallpox killed off around 95% of the tribe, leaving them in no state to fight for their land.[4][5]

The first land grant in the area was made to John Whitehead McNee in 1840 and the name Durras was in use at that time to describe the area. For the next ninety years or so, the area was primarily used for timber cutting with a mill in operation at Wasp Head but the mill's closure in 1929 caused a reappraisal of the area's potential. The land south of Durras Creek was subdivided in 1937 to form the village of Durras which didn't become known as South Durras until the establishment of another settlement north of Durras Lake. In the 1940s and 50s, a school, post office and store were established in the town with electricity introduced in 1960.[6]

Attractions

Population

South Durras has a population of about 330 permanent residents, while in the summer months the population swells to almost 1000.

Radio stations

Climate

The climate of South Durras is moderated by the sea, with warm summers and mild sunny winters. Nights can be cold in winter. Thunderstorms can occur between November and March, with rainfall maximums in summer.

Climate Table
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum temperature (°C) 23.9 24.1 23.3 21.6 19.1 16.8 16.1 17.1 18.6 20.1 21.4 22.8 20.4
Mean daily minimum temperature (°C) 16.0 16.3 15.1 12.3 9.4 7.2 5.9 6.5 8.4 10.7 12.8 14.7 11.3
Mean total rainfall (mm) 97.3 93.6 108.9 89.1 85.9 86.5 55.9 54.3 61.6 77.3 76.1 74.2 960.6
Mean number of rain days 10.8 9.9 10.3 8.8 8.0 7.7 6.9 7.1 8.5 10.1 10.5 10.7 109.4
Source: Bureau of Meteorology Records For Moruya Heads, 20km South of Bateman's Bay

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "South Durras (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  2. "South Durras". Eurobodalla Nature Coast Tourism. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  3. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1998). Murramarang Aboriginal Area: Plan of Management (PDF). p. 7. ISBN 0731076478.
  4. "A Koori history of the Eurobodalla". Eurobodalla Shire Council. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  5. "Murramarang Aboriginal Area". National Parks & Wildlife of NSW. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  6. "South Durras - Early European Settlement". Eurobodalla Shire Council. Retrieved 2008-05-08.

Sources