Local History
The Central Coast region has a rich heritage. Read on to learn more about local areas of historical significance.
Terrigal History
It is thought that Terrigal was part of the lands of the Awabakal or Guringgai Aboriginal people prior to European settlement. The meaning of ‘Terrigal’ remains unclear. It may derive from the Aboriginal ‘Tarragul’, in which case it would translate to ‘a place of little birds’ or ‘Tarriga’, meaning ‘a place of, or where one can find wild figs’.
John Gray was the first European settler to settle here, arriving in 1826.
By the 1870s, a sawmill was operating in the area and later dairying grew to become an important local industry. It is no surprise that Terrigal, with its beautiful beaches and coastal location, began to develop as a tourist destination from the late 1800s and continues in this vein today.
Gosford History
Gosford is located at the head of Brisbane Water, 85 kilometres north of Sydney.
Governor Arthur Phillip and party were the first Europeans to investigate the area, originally inhabited by the Guringgai Aboriginal people.
Phillip's initial investigation of Broken Bay occurred in 1788, around a month after the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove. He returned again the next year to conduct a more detailed investigation of the area. However, the discovery of the Hawkesbury River on this expedition resulted in agricultural settlement being developed in that area while the 'north-west arm', as Brisbane Water was then known, remained unoccupied by the European settlers.
White settlement around the future site of Gosford began in the 1820s when timber getters entered the area. Small farming enterprises, shell collection for lime-burning and boat building operations that lasted into the 20th century were other early industries in the area.
The Entrance History
In 1796, some shipwrecked fishermen landed on the coast at The Entrance, thus marking the beginning of recorded European interest in the area. These seamen were safely guided most of the way to Sydney by some of the local Aborigines and upon their return they reported the existence of a white woman living amongst the Aboriginal peoples.
Henry Holden became the first European to settle in the area at Picnic Point in 1828, then in the late 1820s, a group of Chinese fishermen set up a base at a place now known as Toowoon Bay.
In 1889, the rail link from Sydney to Newcastle was completed and the first tourists began to visit the area. In the early 1890s a holiday camp began operating at Toowoon Bay and in 1895, the first guesthouse opened at North Entrance.
Development of the area, however, was only gradual. A post office opened in 1911 under the name 'The Entrance' and thus the town’s name was selected. It refers to the slender channel that connects Tuggerah Lake to the ocean.
Kincumber History
Kincumber, 91 kilometres north of Sydney by road, is the oldest permanent settlement on Brisbane Water.
The Guringgai Aboriginal people were the original inhabitants of the area and it is from their language that the name Kincumber derives. It is most commonly translated as meaning 'towards the rising sun'.
Governor Arthur Phillip and party were the first Europeans to investigate the area. Phillip's initial investigation of Broken Bay occurred early in 1788 and he returned again the next year.
White settlers initially arrived to engage in timber getting. Other early activities included small farming enterprises and a shipbuilding industry that lasted until around WWI.
Woy Woy History
The Guringgai (or Kuringgai) Aboriginal peoples were the original occupants of the Woy Woy area. Indeed, the name 'Woy Woy' is believed to derive from their language and translates either to 'big lagoon' or 'much water'. The Bulgandry Aboriginal Engravings near Woy Woy provide evidence of the Aboriginal presence in the area.
Governor Phillip first reached Broken Bay in 1788, but Brisbane Water was not surveyed or named until 1825. By 1829 there were around 100 people living along its shores. The first recorded oyster lease in Brisbane Water was taken up circa 1884 and by 1953 there were 93 such leases in the area.
The construction of Australia's longest railway tunnel in 1886-87 at Woy Woy Tunnel provided employment and saw the development of Woy Woy as a holiday and fishing resort for Sydneysiders during the 1890s. By 1911 there were 660 people living at Woy Woy.
Wyong History
The original inhabitants of the area were the Walkloa clan of the Guringai Aboriginal people. The name 'Wyong' reputedly derives from their language and translates either to 'running water' or 'place of yams'.
White settlement began in 1825 when William Cape, a Headmaster of Sydney Public School, and his two sons were granted land in the Wyong district.
Woodbury's Inn (circa 1866) was established as a residence but also held a liquor licence. Alison Homestead (1875 and later extended) is the oldest extant house in Wyong and is now a museum. A school was established at Wyong Creek in 1883. It is now one of the Wyong Shire's oldest school buildings.
In 1889 the timber industry was boosted by the arrival of efficient transport in the form of the Sydney-Newcastle railway line. This also spurred the growth of the settlement and the area was then opened up to tourism with resorts being established around Tuggerah Lake from 1900’s.
This information is kindly provided by Australian Heritage Magazine.
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