Arakoon is an eastern suburb of the town of south west rocks in kempsey shire, new south wales, australia. Apr 19, 2020 kids club is offered yearround at the south west rocks big 4 with extra sessions over school holiday periods. Whether you love fishing, swimming, snorkelling, surfing or taking in a bit of history at the trial bay gaol or smoky cape lighthouse, this is a great place to escape and is the ideal family retreat by the beach perfect for yearround swimming. Gain an insight into the early pioneer days of south west rocks including the old gaol complex as you browse the museum collection. South west rocks may be divided into five main areas. Book your tickets online for trial bay gaol, south west rocks. Big4 sunshine resort south west rocks is at big4 sunshine resort south west rocks. For a glimpse into australian history, head to south west rocks to explore the historic ruins of trial bay gaol. Big4 nrma south west rocks holiday resort book direct. In the 19th century, coastal shipping was the main means of transport. Set in the oceanside town of south west rocks, this caravan park has accommodation options to suit every family. It was now used to house 500 men of german descent, classified as enemy aliens.
Sitting proudly on trial bay, nestled against the mouth of the macleay river, is the pristine seaside village of south west rocks far from the hustle and bustle of the city, away from the busy highway, and nothing like the other overdeveloped resort towns on the coast, south west rocks is somewhere you can really kick back, unwind and forget about the stresses of life. If youre wondering where south west rocks is, its located just over an hours drive south of coffs harbour and a good 5 hour drive from sydney near to nambucca heads. The settlement was later moved to the present location, where better land conditions for building were available. Trial bay gaol campground offers campsites for tents, caravans and camper trailers in an enviable position beside front beach pack your snorkels, swimmers, fishing rod, walking shoes and surfboard, because youll have time to use all of these when youre enjoying this. Arakoon is located to the east of south west rocks and is home to trial bay gaol. South west rocks country club is also a short stroll in the same street and you can also enjoy a cold beerwine great meals or if you like there is a coffee shopmeals if youd prefer something light. Following the success of the sculpture in the gaol exhibition over the past ten years, trial bay gaol will once again be transformed into a dramatic artistic landscape with sculptures displayed throughout the gaol site.
Photo grahame mcconnell, courtesy of destination new south wales south west rocks info. South west rocks, arakoon, oceanside, new entrance and spencerville. Our family only spent three nights at south west rocks, but we totally understand why others come back here for a week or two year after year after year. The idyllic arakoon national park on the nsw mid north coast is home to the historic trial bay gaol and is a wonderful place for a daytrip to explore australian history. Visit trial bay gaol on your trip to south west rocks or. South west rocks accommodation will allow you to choose from the largest range of holiday accommodation rentals, houses, cottages, apartments, units and villas in south west rocks, arakoon and hat head, with online availability checking, booking and payments. Trial bay gaol attraction tour south west rocks new. Take a glimpse into australiangerman history and art and celebrate the 10th year of sculptures in the gaol whilst overlooking amazing views of south west rocks. Trial bay gaol ten years abuilding 17 years adying and will stand on laggers point for 1,000 years or more. Explore south west rocks holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. South west rocks chamber of commerce and nsw national parks and wildlife service wish to invite you to participate in the 2018 sculpture in the gaol exhibition, along with celebrating the closure of the trial bay german internment camp. Drop the kids off for an hours worth of activities every monday and friday usually around 10.
Jan 25, 2017 drone footage from diamond head, trial bay gaol, south west rocks new south wales. Trial bay gaol jail, south west rocks, nsw youtube. Today, a german monument and a powder magazine may be found a short distance from the gaol ruins. German fest brings bavaria to south west rocks brews news. Located on the mid north coast of new south whales, the rocks is about 5x hours drive from both sydney and brisbane. You can still contact us by phone on weekdays or email for information. When the area was developed, arakoon was intended as the major town in the area, but history has a way of changing the plans of men, and south west rocks has taken on that role.
Make sure you see the view from the sentrys lookout. Big4 sunshine resort south west rocks posts facebook. Attractions include trial bay gaol, fish rock cave and camping in national parks. Trial bay gaol south west rocks 2020 all you need to.
If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before. It is possible to book the head lighthouse keepers cottage built in 1891 and two assistant. The last time i visited trial bay gaol at south west rocks it was too early in the day for the ruins to be open to tourists, but i did enjoy a lovely visit from a family of curious kangaroos, who had spent the night behind bars. This has resulted in a town removed from excessive, modern development. History trial bay gaol, south west rocks traveller. The rockpool motor inn is located in south west rocks on the mid north coast of new south wales. Smoky cape lighthouse smoky cape lighthouse is located on the edge of the hat head. South west rocks cellars in paragon street offer good advice and a good selection of wines. Ocean shores unit no 4 holiday apartment south west rocks mid. There are so many things to do in south west rocks, from exploring the beautiful macleay valley to taking a step back in time inside the trial bay goal. The areas beaches as well as manmade attractions such as trial bay gaol and.
Ocean shores unit no 4 holiday apartment south west rocks. From luxurious 3 bedroom beachfront apartments, through to 5 bedroom cottages for the. The history of south west rocks nrma parks and resorts. Aug 23, 2018 this year is the 100th anniversary of the closure of the german internment camp at the gaol, with commemorations during both weekends. Trial bay gaol campground offers campsites for tents, caravans and camper trailers in an enviable position beside front beach pack your snorkels, swimmers, fishing rod, walking shoes and surfboard, because youll have time to use all of these when youre enjoying this delightful campground and picnic area. South west rocks travel new south wales, australia. The maritime museum at south west rocks is a hidden gem, bringing together artefacts, photographs, documents and paintings that chart the fascinating maritime history of the region. Within the arakoon state recreation area is the historical trial bay gaol and the. Little bay is a secluded beach nestled between granite cliffs, just south of the headland near trial bay gaol in arakoon national park. South west rocks, is it a real place on the coast of new south wales, or a mental space of peace and calm and endless holidays. This visit, however, the gaol was open to the public, so my husband and i spent some time wandering around the.
Trial bay gaol halfway between sydney and brisbane near south west rocks was used as a public works prison and world war 1 internment camp housing. The tourist population of south west rocks increases markedly during the holiday season. A site of spiritual significance to the local aboriginal people is located near trial bay gaol and another in nearby south west rocks would have been a focus of. Trial bay gaol south west rocks 2020 all you need to know. New entrance is the river mouth located to the west of south west rocks and locals also refer to the residential area on a ridge just to the east of the macleay river at the river mouth as new entrance. We know you are going to love your visit to south west rocks and we look forward to hearing from you. It is part of arakoon national park previously known as arakoon state conservation area and, before 2003, as arakoon state recreation area. Things to do in south west rocks nrma parks and resorts.
We recommend booking trial bay gaol tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Arakoon national park, home to historic trial bay gaol, offers beachside camping, rocky foreshores with great fishing and beaches perfect for whale watching and swimming. The feeling of desperation is in the air even for such a lovely spot on the mid north coast at south west rocks. South west rocks is located in the traditional lands of the dunghutti thaingutti.
Wildside sport fishing other activities in south west rocks. South west rocks is located in the traditional lands of the dunghutti thaingutti and monument point was a place of gathering and ceremony for the dunghutti, gumbaynggir and biripi nations with the headland representing a song line or energy line between mount yarrahapinni and the hills around arakoon. At the 2016 census, arakoon had a population of 420 people arakoon was the original settlement of the town of south west rocks. The prison labourers were there to construct a breakwater to make trial bay a safe. Take a tour of the trial bay gaol, australia to visit historic site in south west rocks.
South pacific australia new south wales south west rocks. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The gaol opened in 1886, after years of construction. Take a glimpse into australiangerman history and art and celebrate the 10th year of sculptures in the gaol whilst overlooking amazing views of. South west rocks things to do visit south west rocks museums. Mermaid pools, near trial bay gaol, is not recommended for swimming.
Trial bay gaol for a glimpse into australian history, head to south west rocks to explore the historic ruins of trial bay gaol. Trial bay gaol, south west rocks, south west rocks. Arakoon was the original settlement of the town of south west rocks. Visiting new cities can be more than just checking off a spot on your map, it can also be about experiencing the culture and history of an area. Whether youre visiting south west rock to explore the natural beauty of the beaches, hikes and bays. The south west rocks dive centre also offers good dives at ladies reef, gaol reef, black rock and green island. The 5 wonders of south west rocks ingenia holidays. South west rocks holiday house talabah lovely arakoon. Make time for a glimpse into australian history, exploring the historic ruins of trial bay gaol.
South west rocks dive centre is located at 598 gregory street, south west rocks. New entrance is the river mouth located to the west of south west rocks and locals also refer to the residential area on a ridge just to the. Looking for accommodation in south west rocks, nsw. Go for the sunset walk near by you wont be disappointed. Trial bay gaol south west rocks all you need to know. One of many pretty seaside towns on this stretch of coast, south west rocks has great beaches and enough interesting diversions for at least a night.
South west rocks chamber of commerce and nsw national parks and wildlife service wish to invite you to participate in the 2018. South west rocks is situated only a short drive off the pacific highway between coffs harbour and port macquarie. Things to do south west rocks, kempsey, new south wales historical sites and heritage locations step back in time on a guided tour of trial bay gaol, soaking up the history and the amazing coastal views that surround it. Definitely worth the trip up the goal is amazing and the history worth the visit. South west rocks is a coastal town which attracts both holidaymakers and retirees. South west rocks is at trial bay gaol, south west rocks.
The nsw government decided that as this type of prison system was no longer. In my opinion, the town and area around south west rocks is one of the most beautiful on the entire eastern seaboard of australia. Trial bay gaol halfway between sydney and brisbane near south west rocks was used as a public works prison and world war 1 internment camp housing germans. The breakwater trial bay had been recognised as a safe shipping refuge from southerlies ever since its naming after the wreck of the brig trial in 1817. By 1903 the advent of sturdier ships meant that a refuge was no longer needed. Selfguided tours are available all day and an entry fee applies. Like all the north coast towns that are not on the pacific highway, it is most commonly bypassed by holidaymakers. Arakoon national park attraction tour south west rocks. A perfect way to get a sense of the areas culture is to learn about its history. Step back in time on a guided tour of trial bay gaol, soaking up the history and the amazing coastal views that surround it. Ingenia holidays south west rocks is nestled along the banks of a scenic tidal waterway and just a short walk to the town accommodation horseshoe bay holiday park. In my last post i shared some stories about the history of trial bay gaol at south west rocks, and today i write about hat head national park and smoky cape lighthouse. Aug 16, 2016 south west rocks, is it a real place on the coast of new south wales, or a mental space of peace and calm and endless holidays.
The population of south west rocks is 5,3 people, and maintains a steady growth rate. Rockpool motor inn, south west rocks, 45 mcintyre street. Whether you love fishing, swimming or taking in a bit of history at the trial bay gaol, this is a great place to escape for the weekend. At the 2016 census, arakoon had a population of 420 people. Trial bay gaol is closed until further notice to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. This is the twelfth in my series of short reflections on different places in australia and new zealand, which i visited in november 2019 map of australia and new zealand. Book now trial bay gaol campground offers campsites for tents, caravans and camper trailers in an enviable position beside front beach. Between 1863 and 1866 some 90 ships and 243 lives were lost, forcing the nsw colonial government.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the closure of the german internment camp at the gaol, with commemorations during both weekends. South west rocks is a beautiful seaside holiday village that is home to the best beaches and scenic views on the mid north coast of new south wales. The book gentle art of photography is made of paper and card. South west rocks in nsw is one of those proper secret gems to visit near sydney even many aussies have never heard of it. The view from trial bay gaol, south west rocks, new south wales. South west rocks accommodation the easiest way book your next holiday. South west rocks local history this page is designed to provide space for people of the community to provide local history information about their community and to provide links to relevant history sites related to this community. Rockpool has the largest, newest rooms in south west rocks.
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