Brooms Head Local History
Brooms Head is a coastal village located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. Its history dates back to the time of the Bundjalung Aboriginal people who used the area as a food and resource gathering spot.
During the early 1800s, European settlers arrived and began farming in the area. The town was officially named Brooms Head in 1870 and became a popular holiday destination for locals.
One of the town’s most significant historical landmarks is the Brooms Head Battery. The battery played an essential role in the mining industry in the early 1900s. The battery was built in 1904 by the Grafton Exploration and Development Company and processed gold, silver, lead and zinc from the surrounding mines.
However, due to the decline in mining activity in the 1930s, the battery closed, and its machinery was sold. Today, visitors can still see the ruins of the Brooms Head Battery and get a sense of the town’s industrial history.
Brooms Head also played a crucial role in World War II. The town was home to the Brooms Head Navy Wireless Station, which broadcast news and code messages between Australia and US forces in the Pacific. The station was essential in coordinating communication between the Allied forces and played a severe role in the war effort.
Today, the town is a thriving coastal community that relies on tourism and fishing. Many visitors come to the town for its stunning beaches, hiking trails and fishing spots. The town is also home to a caravan park and a holiday resort, catering to visitors from all over Australia.
The town has also become a popular destination for whale watching during migration season. Every year between May and November, humpback whales come close to the shore, and visitors can spot them from lookout points around the town.
Brooms Head remains an essential part of the local history of New South Wales, with its rich Aboriginal heritage, mining industry past and wartime legacy. Today, the town is a popular destination for tourists, but its history continues to inform its present.