Durras Local History
Durras is a coastal village in southeastern New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the north bank of the Durras Lake, which is fed by the Durras Creek and flows into the Tasman Sea. The town is located in the Eurobodalla Shire, approximately 280 kilometers south of the city of Sydney.
Early Indigenous History
The area around Durras has been inhabited by the Yuin people for thousands of years. The Yuin were skilled hunters and gatherers, and they relied heavily on the natural resources of the land and sea. They used bark canoes to navigate the waterways and caught fish, shellfish, and other marine animals, such as stingrays, octopuses, and crabs. They also hunted kangaroos, wallabies, possums, and goannas, and gathered a variety of edible plants, including warrigal greens, acacia seeds, and banksia nuts.
European Settlement
The first European explorer to reach the Durras area was George Bass, who sailed along the coast in 1797. Bass named the Durras Lake after the Aboriginal word "turras," which means "pointed hill." The first Europeans to settle in the area were James and Mary Hammond, who arrived in 1850 and established a dairy farm near the lake. Other early settlers included the Rixon family, who built a timber mill on the creek in 1876, and the Atkinsons, who operated a guesthouse near the beach in the early 1900s.
Development and Tourism
Durras remained a small farming community until the 1920s, when the Sydney to Melbourne coastal road was completed and the town became a popular holiday destination. The construction of the Prince's Highway in the 1930s further increased tourism, and Durras became known for its pristine beaches, tranquil lakes, and scenic bushwalks. Several guesthouses and camping grounds were established in the area, and the town also became a popular spot for fishing, boating, and surfing.
Modern Times
Today, Durras is a thriving community with a population of approximately 300 people. The town retains its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere, attracting visitors from all over Australia and the world. The Durras Lake and its surrounding wetlands are now protected under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the area is home to a wide range of wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, possums, and numerous bird species. The town also has several shops, cafes, and holiday apartments, as well as a primary school and a community hall.
History of in Durras
The local history of Durras is rich and diverse, spanning thousands of years of Aboriginal culture and more than a century of European settlement. From its early days as a dairy farming community to its current status as a popular tourist destination, Durras has retained its unique character and natural beauty, and continues to thrive as a coastal oasis in southeastern New South Wales.