Evans Head, New South Wales
| Evans Head New South Wales | |
|---|---|
  Evans Head | |
| Coordinates | 29°07′S 153°26′E / 29.117°S 153.433°ECoordinates: 29°07′S 153°26′E / 29.117°S 153.433°E |
| Population | 2,722 (2011 census)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 2473 |
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Richmond Valley Council |
| County | Richmond |
| State electorate(s) | Clarence |
| Federal Division(s) | Page |
Evans Head is a town in Richmond Valley Shire of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. At the 2011 census, Evans Head had a population of 2,722 people.[1] It is 726 kilometres north of Sydney, and 11 kilometres east off the Pacific Highway from Woodburn.
History
Evans Head is named after a marine surveyor, Lt Evans, RN who carried out the first marine survey of the coastline in the area.[2]
Attractions
It is a coastal town and a holiday resort, playing host to one of the largest holiday parks in NSW. It is sandwiched between two national parks, the Bundjalung National Park and the Broadwater National Park. There is a wide curved beach that is popular for fishing, surfing and swimming. The 1874 wreck of a timber schooner, Pilot, is visible on the beach north of the town in times of high erosion.[3] Evans Head also plays host to one of the few retired F-111 aircraft in Australia. In addition the museum has a host of authentic aircraft on display.
There is a prawn fishing fleet permanently moored in the estuary. Other industries include tourism and there is some sugar cane growing further inland.
Transport
The town's airport, the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, formerly a RAAF base. The Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome is heritage listed and will always be known by that name.
Northern Rivers Buslines operates two route from Lismore: 690 and 695, where the 695 also continues to Grafton from Evans Head
Ballina Buslines operates one route to Ballina via Woodburn: 660
NSW Trainlink operates a daily coach between Grafton and Byron Bay via Evans Head.
Industry
The town was traditionally a fishing village, with snapper fishing and prawning forming the basis of the town's local economy. With rising costs and diminishing prawn catches, the local trawler industry has diminished dramatically. The town has an industrial estate, 'The Bowlo' bowling club, RSL club, Surf Club and the 'Illawong' hotel. Evans Head is home to one of the largest holiday parks in NSW, parts of which are pet friendly. The Evans Head Holiday Park (formerly known as 'Silver Sands Caravan Park' ) has almost 600 sites and is located within walking distance of all the local town amenities. The town has two supermarkets, two butchers, a number of clothing stores, and other eateries who cater for the tourist population. Whilst the population is less than 3,000 people that number swells in holiday periods.
References
- 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Evans Head (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- ↑ "Evans Head". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
- ↑ "Shipwrecks exposed". Mid Coast Observer. Rural Press. 5 August 2009. p. 6.
- Sturt, Charles,'Two Expeditions into the Interior of Southern Australia during the years 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831 with Observations on the Soil, Climate and general Resources of the Colony of New South Wales,' Vol 1 London, Smith Elder and Co, 1833, map facing LXXX Map is titled: Map of the Discoveries in Australia copied from the latest M. S. Surveys in the Colonial Office, 16 Feb 1832, London, J. Arrowsmith.