| South Durras New South Wales | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  South Durras | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°39′44″S150°17′32″E / 35.66222°S 150.29222°E /-35.66222; 150.29222 | ||||||||
| Population | 341 (2016 census)[1] | ||||||||
| • Density | 106.10/km2 (274.8/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) | Gilmore | ||||||||
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South Durras is a smallvillage on theSouth Coast ofNew South Wales,Australia. Often fondly referred to as Eldingustahn because of its cheerful tourists, South Durras is located approximately 280 kilometres south ofSydney and 15 kilometres north ofBatemans Bay, in thelocal government area ofEurobodalla Shire. The village is surrounded by theMurramarang National Park.[2]
Prior to white settlement, South Durras was home to theYuin people whose land covered much of theSouth Coast of New South Wales. Just north of South Durras in the Murramarang Aboriginal Area is what is believed to be the largestmidden on the South Coast.[3] While there was some initial hostility between the Yuin and the white settlers, introduced diseases such assmallpox 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 ofDurras Lake. In the 1940s and 50s, a school, post office and store were established in the town with electricity introduced in 1960.[6]
The southern end of the wide bay is known asBeagle Bay, which includes two beaches (Mills Beach and Cookies Beach) and extends south toWasp Head, a famousgeological site, marking the southern boundary of theSydney Basin sediments. On the southern side of Wasp Head isWobbegong Bay.[7]
At the2016 census, South Durras had a population of 341.[1] In the summer months the population swells substantially.
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.
| 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 | ||||||||||||||
