Tuncurry, New South Wales

Town in New South Wales, Australia

32°10′30″S 152°29′56″E / 32.17500°S 152.49889°E / -32.17500; 152.49889Population6,376 (2021 census)^[1]Postcode(s)2428Elevation6 m (20 ft)Time zoneAEST (UTC+10) • Summer (DST)AEDT (UTC+11)Location

307 km (191 mi) NNE of Sydney
165 km (103 mi) NNE of Newcastle
631 km (392 mi) S of Brisbane
35 km (22 mi) S of Taree
63 km (39 mi) NE of Bulahdelah

LGA(s)Mid-Coast CouncilRegion Mid North Coast State electorate(s)Myall Lakes Federal division(s)Lyne

Localities around Tuncurry:
Failford	Darawank	Tasman Sea
Nabiac	Tuncurry	Tasman Sea
Wallis Island	Forster	Forster

Tuncurry is a coastal town in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, in the Mid-Coast Council LGA, about 307 km (191 mi) north north east of Sydney. It is immediately adjacent to its twin town of Forster, which is the larger of the two towns.

At the 2016 census, the Forster–Tuncurry area had a population of 19,918 people.^[2] This number grows considerably in the tourist season. The population of Tuncurry alone was 6,376.^[1]

History

In 1875, John Wright was the first white settler in Tuncurry.^[3]^[4] The first land grant in this area was in 1875. The settlement was originally called North Shore and then North Forster and was renamed Tuncurry meaning "plenty of fish" in 1891 and then proclaimed a village in 1893.^[5]

The area was well known in the early days for its timber cutting and sawmills. Timber was collected from the lakes and rivers by the logpunts (droghers).

A bridge over the Coolongolook River that marks the entrance to Wallis Lake was built in 1959 linking Forster and Tuncurry and replacing the punt service that had operated since 1890.

Tourism

Because of its relatively close driving proximity to Sydney, Forster–Tuncurry has established itself as a popular summer holiday destination, where in the hotter months, the population swells considerably. The school holidays in the colder months also bring large numbers of holidaymakers.

Tuncurry's Nine Mile Beach is a popular swimming, surfing and fishing spot. Tuncurry Rockpool is a netted swimming enclosure, formed by breakwalls which mark the entrance to Wallis Lake. Tuncurry's lakefront areas are characterised by wharves and jetties which provide mooring for fishing boats and pleasure craft.

Sporting Clubs

The Tuncurry Golf Course is part of the Forster Tuncurry Golf Club^[6]
The Tuncurry Forster Football Club is a soccer club home to the Tuncurry Tigers^[7]
The Forster Tuncurry Rugby League Football Club is home to the Forster Tuncurry Hawkes
The Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club has regular horse racing events^[8]
The Forster Tuncury Touch Association offers touch football for all levels^[9]
The Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club offers lawn bowling to the area^[10]

Gallery

Pelican gather at the public boat ramp in Tuncurry
Fishing vessels moored at Tuncurry
View of bridge connecting Forster to Tuncurry.

References

^ ^a ^b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Tuncurry". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Forster–Tuncurry (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
^ Great Lakes Historical and Maritime Museum. "TUNCURRY'S WORKING WATERFRONT – Wright's mill and shipyard". Retrieved 15 March 2018.
^ North Coast Run: Men and Ships of the New South Wales North Coast M. Richards P94 - 95 ISBN 978-0908031108
^ "Heritage & Culture". Great Lakes Tourism. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
^ "Forster Tuncurry Golf - Forster, NSW - Tuncurry Course". www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^ "Tuncurry Forster Football Club". Tuncurry Forster Football Club. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^ "Horse Racing Tuncurry Forster". Horse Racing Tuncurry Forster. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^ "Forster Tuncurry Touch Association". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^ "Home". Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club. Retrieved 7 March 2022.