Bangalow is a small town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia in Byron Shire. The town is 765 kilometres (475 mi) north of Sydney[2] and 167 kilometres (104 mi) south of Brisbane,[3] just off the Pacific Highway. The town's name appears to have been derived from an Aboriginal word, "Bangalla", said to mean 'a low hill' or 'a kind of palm tree'.[4]
Bangalow New South Wales | |
---|---|
Bangalow | |
Coordinates | 28°42′0″S 153°31′0″E / 28.70000°S 153.51667°E |
Population | 2,260 (2021 census)[1] |
Postcode(s) | 2479 |
Location | |
LGA(s) | Byron Shire |
State electorate(s) | Ballina |
Federal division(s) | Richmond |
Bangalow's historic streetscape, monthly market and proximity to the popular tourist resort of Byron Bay has increased its appeal as a tourist destination. Timber cutters established a camp on the banks of Byron Creek in the 1840s but it was not until the 1880s that a town appeared on the site. The town was known as Bangaloe until 1907, when the modern spelling came into use.
In recent years Bangalow has become a pleasant stop for holiday-makers and day-trippers as its main street is lined with modern cafes and boutique-shops. Organic produce grown nearby is a regular feature in the cafes, in particular the Byron Bay coffee-beans are a popular purchase.
Bangalow Public School was first built in 1884. In 1925, a 4 classroom brick building block was built. The Bangalow Uniting Church was rebuilt in the early 1900s after a tornado blew down the original (Methodist) church. The church congregation is still active.
Bangalow is also home to the Bangalow Billy Cart Derby, which is held each year. It is a fun day, when the school has its fundraiser "The Mad Hatter's Teaparty".
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1966 | 479 | — |
1971 | 534 | +11.5% |
1976 | 568 | +6.4% |
1981 | 614 | +8.1% |
1986 | 677 | +10.3% |
1991 | 819 | +21.0% |
1996 | 896 | +9.4% |
2001 | 1,225 | +36.7% |
2006 | 1,327 | +8.3% |
2011 | 1,520 | +14.5% |
2016 | 1,689 | +11.1% |
2021 | 2,260 | +33.8% |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[5][6] |
At the 2021 census, Bangalow had a population of 2,260 people. 73.1% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 7.1%, New Zealand 3.0% and United States of America 1.2%. 84.2% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 61.38%, Catholic 11.8%, Not stated 9.6% and Anglican 7.1%.[1]