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Coordinates: 31°27′0″S 152°44′0″E / 31.45000°S 152.73333°E / -31.45000; 152.73333
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{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox Australian place | type = town
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = town
| name = Wauchope
| name = Wauchope
| state = nsw
| state = nsw
| image = Wauchope 2.jpg
| image = Hastings River Wauchope.jpg
| caption = Library and war memorial clock, Wauchope, NSW.
| caption = View of the Hastings River from River Street in Wauchope.
| coordinates = {{coord|31|27|0|S|152|44|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|31|27|0|S|152|44|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_label_position = left
Line 13: Line 14:
| postcode = 2446
| postcode = 2446
| est = 1836
| est = 1836
| pop = 6002| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2006}} (7,500 including King Creek and Redbank)
| pop =
| pop_footnotes = <ref name="abs">{{Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC19327 | name = Wauchope (State Suburb)|accessdate=6 September 2007|quick=on}}</ref>
| elevation = 20
| elevation = 20
| maxtemp =
| maxtemp =
Line 22: Line 22:
| fedgov = [[Division of Lyne|Lyne]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Lyne|Lyne]]
| dist1 = 19
| dist1 = 19
| dir1 = W
| location1 = Port Macquarie
| location1 = Port Macquarie
| dist2 = 383
| dir2 = NE
| location2 = Sydney
| dist3 = 545
| dir3 = S
| location3 = Brisbane
| dist4 = 58
| dir4 = S
| location4 = [[Kempsey, New South Wales|Kempsey]]
| dist5 = 69
| dir5 = NNE
| location5 = Taree
}}
}}

[[File:Wauchope NSW.JPG|thumb|200px|Presbyterian Church, Wauchope]]
[[File:Wauchope NSW.JPG|thumb|200px|Presbyterian Church, Wauchope]]
[[File:Wauchope Train Bridge.JPG|thumb|200px|The Hastings River at the northern end of Wauchope with the North Coast Railway bridge.]]
[[File:Wauchope Train Bridge.JPG|thumb|200px|The Hastings River at the northern end of Wauchope with the North Coast Railway bridge.]]


'''Wauchope''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɔː|h|oʊ|p}} is a town in the [[Mid North Coast]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia. It is within the boundaries of the [[Port Macquarie-Hastings Council]] area. Wauchope is inland on the [[Hastings River]] and the [[Oxley Highway]] {{convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Port Macquarie, New South Wales|Port Macquarie]]. The town is {{convert|406|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the state capital [[Sydney]].
'''Wauchope''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɔː|h|oʊ|p}} {{audio|Wauchope.ogg|listen}}) is a town in the [[Mid North Coast]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia. It is within the boundaries of the [[Port Macquarie-Hastings Council]] area. Wauchope is inland on the [[Hastings River]] and the [[Oxley Highway]] {{convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Port Macquarie, New South Wales|Port Macquarie]]. The town is {{convert|383|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the state capital [[Sydney]].


Wauchope is the location of [[Timbertown]], a popular heritage theme park inspired by the [[logging]] industry that formed the basis for Wauchope's early economy and prosperity. The town has a population of approximately 7,500 (as of 2006 - including King Creek & Redbank). It has also played an important role in the Hastings Valley dairy industry.
Wauchope is the location of [[Timbertown]], a popular heritage theme park inspired by the [[logging]] industry that formed the basis for Wauchope's early economy and prosperity. The town has a population of approximately 7,500 (as of 2006 – including King Creek & Redbank). It has also played an important role in the Hastings Valley dairy industry.


==History==
==History==
The [[Birpai]] (also known as [[Birrbay]]) people have lived in this area for more than 40,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aboriginal Community Information|url=https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Community-Culture/Community-Inclusion/Aboriginal-Community-Information?BestBetMatch=aboriginal&#124;cdbad291-68a4-4d81-8aee-b3733958e5ca&#124;bd0cff62-3134-4e81-9f7e-de4e65feb428&#124;en-AU|access-date=2020-09-08|website=Port Macquarie-Hastings Council}}</ref>
The [[Birpai]] (also known as [[Birrbay]]) people have lived in this area for more than 40,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aboriginal Community Information|url=https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Community-Culture/Community-Inclusion/Aboriginal-Community-Information?BestBetMatch=aboriginal&#124;cdbad291-68a4-4d81-8aee-b3733958e5ca&#124;bd0cff62-3134-4e81-9f7e-de4e65feb428&#124;en-AU|access-date=2020-09-08|website=Port Macquarie-Hastings Council}}</ref>


By 1828 a number of land grants had been made along the [[Hastings River]]. It was not until 1836 that the village of Wauchope first came into existence. In that year Captain [[Robert Wauch|Robert Andrew Wauch]] (whose father dropped the 'ope' from the end of his name as a result of a family dispute) paid a deposit on {{convert|760|acre|km2|1}} on King Creek.<ref>{{NSW GNR|id = SXIOFxqbSX |title = Wauchope|access-date = 11 August 2013}}</ref> He bought more property and built Wauch House.
By 1828 a number of land grants had been made along the [[Hastings River]]. It was not until 1836 that the village of Wauchope first came into existence. In that year Captain [[Robert Wauch|Robert Andrew Wauch]] (whose father dropped the 'ope' from the end of his name as a result of a family dispute) paid a deposit on {{convert|760|acre|km2|1}} on King Creek.<ref>{{NSW GNR|id = SXIOFxqbSX |title = Wauchope|access-date = 2013-08-11}}</ref> He bought more property and built Wauch House.


Robert Wauch died in the [[Macleay River|Macleay]] area in 1866, and the Government Gazette published the deeds of his properties, specifying that they should be called Wauchope. When the post office opened in a nearby settlement in 1881, it was named Wauchope, although the Government Gazette misprinted the name Wanghope, an error that was not corrected until 1889.
Robert Wauch died in the [[Macleay River|Macleay]] area in 1866, and the Government Gazette published the deeds of his properties, specifying that they should be called Wauchope. When the post office opened in a nearby settlement in 1881, it was named Wauchope, although the Government Gazette misprinted the name Wanghope, an error that was not corrected until 1889.


It is pronounced 'war-hope', although the family pronounced their name 'walk-op'.<ref>1949 'Pronunciation of Wauchope', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 25 April, p. 2. , viewed 18 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18112628</ref> This is similar to the [[Wauchope, Saskatchewan|Canadian town]] which is pronounced 'walk-up'. The Wauchope family currently pronounce their name 'walk-ope'.
It is pronounced ''war-hope'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Pronunciation of Wauchope |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1949-04-25 |page=2 |access-date=2018-02-18 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18112628 |via=Trove}}</ref> although the family pronounced their name 'war-cope'. This is similar to the [[Wauchope, Saskatchewan|Canadian town]] which is pronounced 'walk-up'. The Wauchope family currently{{clarify timeframe|date=February 2022}} pronounce their name 'war-cope'.{{cn|date=February 2022}}


==Floods==
==Floods==
Line 47: Line 61:
Other major floods occurred at Wauchope in February 1950 (8.45 m AHD), February 1929 (8.3 m AHD), August 1864 (8.2 m AHD), and June 1950 (8.1 m AHD).
Other major floods occurred at Wauchope in February 1950 (8.45 m AHD), February 1929 (8.3 m AHD), August 1864 (8.2 m AHD), and June 1950 (8.1 m AHD).


The 1963 flood, which is notorious for the damage it caused in the lower reaches of the river, is only ranked as the eighth highest flood at Wauchope. It reached a peak level at Wauchope of 7.75 m AHD and was considered{{by whom|date=January 2014}} to be a 1 in 15-year event at Wauchope.
The 1963 flood, which is notorious for the damage it caused in the lower reaches of the river, is only ranked as the eighth highest flood at Wauchope. It reached a peak level at Wauchope of 7.75 m AHD and was considered to be a 1 in 15-year event at Wauchope.


On 23 February 2013 floodwaters peaked at 7.22 m AHD at 7.30pm after heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area.<ref>{{cite report|title=Hastings River Flood Study|date=August 2006|url=http://www.hastings.nsw.gov.au/resources/documents/Hastings_River_Flood_Study.pdf|publisher=Department of Transport and Regional Services, Australian Government}}</ref>
On 23 February 2013 floodwaters peaked at 7.22 m AHD at 7.30pm after heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area.<ref>{{cite report|title=Hastings River Flood Study|date=August 2006|url=http://www.hastings.nsw.gov.au/resources/documents/Hastings_River_Flood_Study.pdf|publisher=Department of Transport and Regional Services, Australian Government}}</ref>


==Industry and economy==
==Industry and economy==
Wauchope's economy was traditionally based on the timber industry. At different stages{{when|date=January 2014}} in its history, more timber was transported out of Wauchope than out of any other town in Australia (via [[Wauchope railway station]]).<ref name = "Age - Travel">{{Cite web|title = Wauchope | work = Trave Supplement | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/new-south-wales/wauchope/2005/02/17/1108500200063.html | publisher = [[The Age]] | date = 8 February 2004| access-date= 2 April 2007}}</ref> Timber from Wauchope was used in the construction of the Sydney Opera House.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
Wauchope's economy was traditionally based on the timber industry. At different stages in its history, more timber was transported out of Wauchope than out of any other town in Australia (via [[Wauchope railway station]]).<ref name = "Age - Travel">{{Cite news |title=Wauchope <!--|work=Travel Supplement--> |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/new-south-wales/wauchope/2005/02/17/1108500200063.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |location=Melbourne, Vic. |date=2004-02-08 |access-date=2007-04-02}}</ref> Timber from the Yarras Plywood Sawmill near Wauchope was used in the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Many of the mill wokers were transported by Parsons Buses to the opening of the Opera House.


Industry in and around Wauchope has transformed primarily into farming and tourism. Increasingly, Wauchope and its surrounding villages and farms are becoming known for gourmet produce, including cheeses, wines and organic fruits and vegetables.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} The Hastings Farmers Markets are held at the Wauchope Showground on the 4th Saturday of every month and showcase a wide variety of local produce.
Industry in and around Wauchope has transformed primarily into farming and tourism. The town also serves as a 'dormitory suburb' for the nearby and much larger [[Port Macquarie]]. Increasingly, Wauchope and its surrounding villages and farms are becoming known for gourmet produce, including cheeses, wines and organic fruits and vegetables. The Hastings Farmers Markets are held at the Wauchope Showground on the 4th Saturday of every month and showcase a wide variety of local produce.


[[Timbertown]], the town's best-known tourist attraction, is a colonial-era themed village, which is located on the outskirts of Wauchope. It features static displays and attractions such as a working [[steam train]], [[bullock cart|bullock team]], and a [[Cobb and Co]] [[stage coach]].<ref name = "Age - Travel"/><ref name = "Timbertown Website">{{Cite web|url = http://www.timbertown.com.au/pages.asp?code=40 | title =Things To See & Do| access-date = 3 April 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070703072350/http://www.timbertown.com.au/pages.asp?code=40 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 3 July 2007}}</ref>
[[Timbertown]], the town's best-known tourist attraction, is a colonial-era themed village, which is located on the outskirts of Wauchope. It features static displays and attractions such as a working [[steam train]], [[bullock cart|bullock team]], and a [[Cobb and Co]] [[stage coach]].<ref name = "Age - Travel"/><ref name = "Timbertown Website">{{Cite web|url = http://www.timbertown.com.au/pages.asp?code=40 | title =Things To See & Do| access-date = 2007-04-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070703072350/http://www.timbertown.com.au/pages.asp?code=40 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-07-03}}</ref>
The [[Big Bull]] was a notable tourist attraction between Wauchope and Port Macquarie for twenty years, but was removed in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/nsw/content/2006/s2059899.htm|title=Big Bull Demise|first=Kim|last=Honan|date=15 October 2007|publisher=ABC Rural}}
The [[Big Bull]] was a notable tourist attraction between Wauchope and Port Macquarie for twenty years, but was removed in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/nsw/content/2006/s2059899.htm|title=Big Bull Demise|first=Kim|last=Honan|date=2007-10-15|publisher=ABC Rural}}
</ref>
</ref>


Other important attractions include the historical society, historic buildings, Broken Bago vineyards and natural attractions including state forests and [[Bago Bluff National Park]].<ref name = "Age - Travel"/>
Other important attractions include the historical society, historic buildings, Broken Bago vineyards and natural attractions including state forests and [[Bago Bluff National Park]].<ref name = "Age - Travel"/>


[[Wauchope railway station]] serves as an interchange for passengers travelling to nearby coastal centres such as [[Port Macquarie]].<ref name = "CountryLink Map">{{Cite web|format = pdf |title = ''CountryLink train and coach network'' | url = http://www.countrylink.info/__data/assets/pdf_file/2692/CountryLink_network.pdf | publisher = [[RailCorp]] |date=October 2005 | access-date = 2 April 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070306020612/http://www.countrylink.info/__data/assets/pdf_file/2692/CountryLink_network.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 6 March 2007}}</ref>
[[Wauchope railway station]] serves as an interchange for passengers travelling to nearby coastal centres such as [[Port Macquarie]].<ref name = "CountryLink Map">{{Cite web|title = ''CountryLink train and coach network'' | url = http://www.countrylink.info/__data/assets/pdf_file/2692/CountryLink_network.pdf | publisher = [[RailCorp]] |date=October 2005 | access-date = 2007-04-02 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070306020612/http://www.countrylink.info/__data/assets/pdf_file/2692/CountryLink_network.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-03-06}}</ref>

{{Historical populations
|type= Australia
|1954|2498
|1961|3038
|1966|3173
|1971|3357
|1976|3525
|1981|3645
|1986|4181
|1991|4297
|1996|4693
|2001|4759
|2006|5503
|2011|6372
|2016|6881
|2021|7982
|source=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] data.<ref name="ABS Census data">{{cite web |title=Statistics by Catalogue Number |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=Expand&Num=2.2 |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="ABS Census data recent">{{cite web |title=Search Census data |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>
}}


==Layout==
==Layout==
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The main street is High Street (a small section of the [[Oxley Highway]]), running generally westward through the town after coming east from Port Macquarie and across the [[North Coast railway line, New South Wales|North Coast railway line]]. The main street includes the Co-op general store (previously Parkers) and a number of smaller businesses and local bank branches. At the corner of Hastings Street is the local post office. Further up the main street is the town clock, a legacy of the days the town was the centre of the Hastings Shire local government area. Back along Hastings Street is the Co-op supermarket as well as the court house. In 2009 work commenced on the rebuilding of this supermarket. The old building was completely demolished and a much larger and more modern structure was completed and opened in 2010.
The main street is High Street (a small section of the [[Oxley Highway]]), running generally westward through the town after coming east from Port Macquarie and across the [[North Coast railway line, New South Wales|North Coast railway line]]. The main street includes the Co-op general store (previously Parkers) and a number of smaller businesses and local bank branches. At the corner of Hastings Street is the local post office. Further up the main street is the town clock, a legacy of the days the town was the centre of the Hastings Shire local government area. Back along Hastings Street is the Co-op supermarket as well as the court house. In 2009 work commenced on the rebuilding of this supermarket. The old building was completely demolished and a much larger and more modern structure was completed and opened in 2010.
[[File:Wauchope Heritage Building.jpg|alt=Front view of the Jacaranda House, a heritage building built in 1888 on Cameron Street in Wauchope NSW.|thumb|Heritage building on Cameron Street in Wauchope NSW.]]

The main cross street is Cameron Street. The Hastings Hotel is on the south-east corner of Cameron and High and the Star Hotel is a short distance north. The [[Returned and Services League of Australia|RSL]] club is another {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} north. Cameron Street leads to the Hastings River. A wharf was built at the northern end of Cameron Street for shipping produce downstream to Port Macquarie, but this no longer exists.
The main cross street is Cameron Street. The Hastings Hotel is on the south-east corner of Cameron and High and the Star Hotel is a short distance north. The [[Returned and Services League of Australia|RSL]] club is another {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} north. Cameron Street leads to the Hastings River. A wharf was built at the northern end of Cameron Street for shipping produce downstream to Port Macquarie, but this no longer exists.


Line 76: Line 109:


==Schools==
==Schools==
* [http://www.wauchope-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ Wauchope Public School]
* Wauchope Public School
* [http://www.wauplism.catholic.edu.au/ St Joseph's Primary School]
* St Joseph's Primary School
* [http://www.wauchope-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/ Wauchope High School]
* Wauchope High School


==Transport==
Wauchope has its own railway station on the [[North Coast railway line, New South Wales|North Coast Line]] of New South Wales. It is serviced by six [[NSW TrainLink]] trains per day 3 heading South (to Sydney), 3 heading further north to Grafton, Casino, and Brisbane. Passengers can alight at this station for connecting coaches to the nearby Port Macquarie.
Wauchope has its [[Wauchope railway station|own railway station]] on the [[North Coast railway line, New South Wales|North Coast Line]] of New South Wales. It is serviced by six [[NSW TrainLink]] trains per day 3 heading South (to Sydney), 3 heading further north to Grafton, Casino, and Brisbane. Passengers can alight at this station for connecting coaches to the nearby Port Macquarie.


==People from Wauchope==
==People from Wauchope==
* [[Bill Bain (director)|Bill Bain]] - [[Emmy award]]-winning TV director
* [[Bill Bain (director)|Bill Bain]] – [[Emmy award]]-winning TV director
* [[Iva Davies]] - Musician, [[Icehouse (band)|Icehouse]]
* [[Iva Davies]] – Musician, [[Icehouse (band)|Icehouse]]
* [[Reginald Elliott Davies]] - Former Independent Member of Western Australian Parliament and Member of Special Air Service Regiment
* [[Reginald Elliott Davies]] – Former Independent Member of Western Australian Parliament and Member of Special Air Service Regiment
⚫
* [[Rhali Dobson]] – W-League footballer for Melbourne City
* [[Angus Gill]] - Musician
* [[Phil Jamieson]] - Musician, [[Grinspoon]]
* [[Angus Gill]] – Musician
* [[Phil Jamieson]] – Musician, [[Grinspoon]]
* [[Allison Langdon]] - [[Today (Australian TV program)|Today]] ''co-''host
* [[Allison Langdon]] – television presenter and journalist
⚫
* [[Mark Laurie (rugby league)|Mark Laurie]] - former professional [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Robert Laurie (rugby league)|Robert Laurie]] - former professional [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Mark Laurie (rugby league)|Mark Laurie]] – former [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Ian Schubert]] - former professional [[rugby league]] footballer and current [[NRL]] Salary Cap auditor.
* [[Robert Laurie (rugby league)|Robert Laurie]] – former [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Ian Schubert]] – former [[rugby league]] footballer and current [[NRL]] Salary Cap auditor.
* [[Andrew Stoner]] - NSW [[National Party of Australia]] leader, Member for [[Electoral district of Oxley (New South Wales)|Oxley]]
* [[Andrew Stoner]] – NSW [[National Party of Australia]] leader, Member for [[Electoral district of Oxley (New South Wales)|Oxley]]
* [[Rex Terp]] - former professional [[rugby league]] footballer
⚫
* [[Rex Terp]] – former [[rugby league]] footballer
⚫
* [[Rhali Dobson]] - Professional W-League footballer for Melbourne City
*Monica Oriel - Classical Crossover Soprano / National Anthem Performer


==Sister cities==
==Sister cities==
The following city has been identified as a sister city of Wauchope by [[Sister Cities International]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/directory/IntllistingsResults.cfm|title=Online Directory: Australia|publisher=Sister Cities International|year=2010|access-date=1 September 2010}}</ref>
The following city has been identified as a sister city of Wauchope by [[Sister Cities International]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/directory/IntllistingsResults.cfm|title=Online Directory: Australia|publisher=Sister Cities International|year=2010|access-date=2010-09-01}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Canisteo (village), New York|Canisteo]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Canisteo (village), New York|Canisteo]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States


Line 107: Line 140:
* [http://www.timbertown.com.au/ Timbertown]
* [http://www.timbertown.com.au/ Timbertown]
* [http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/wauchope_town_history/ Town History]
* [http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/wauchope_town_history/ Town History]
* [http://www.twd.com.au/tpca/history.htm History of Telegraph Point]


{{Mid North Coast NSW |state=autocollapse}}
{{Mid North Coast NSW |state=autocollapse}}

Latest revision as of 08:42, 18 December 2024

For other places, see Wauchope.

Wauchope
New South Wales
View of the Hastings River from River Street in Wauchope.
Wauchope is located in New South Wales
Wauchope
Wauchope
Coordinates31°27′0″S 152°44′0″E / 31.45000°S 152.73333°E / -31.45000; 152.73333
Population7,982 (UCL 2021)[1]
Established1836
Postcode(s)2446
Elevation20 m (66 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
CountyMacquarie
State electorate(s)Oxley
Federal division(s)Lyne
Presbyterian Church, Wauchope
The Hastings River at the northern end of Wauchope with the North Coast Railway bridge.

Wauchope (/ˈwɔːhoʊp/ listenⓘ) is a town in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. It is within the boundaries of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area. Wauchope is inland on the Hastings River and the Oxley Highway 19 km (12 mi) west of Port Macquarie. The town is 383 km (238 mi) north of the state capital Sydney.

Wauchope is the location of Timbertown, a popular heritage theme park inspired by the logging industry that formed the basis for Wauchope's early economy and prosperity. The town has a population of approximately 7,500 (as of 2006 – including King Creek & Redbank). It has also played an important role in the Hastings Valley dairy industry.

History

[edit]

The Birpai (also known as Birrbay) people have lived in this area for more than 40,000 years.[2]

By 1828 a number of land grants had been made along the Hastings River. It was not until 1836 that the village of Wauchope first came into existence. In that year Captain Robert Andrew Wauch (whose father dropped the 'ope' from the end of his name as a result of a family dispute) paid a deposit on 760 acres (3.1 km2) on King Creek.[3] He bought more property and built Wauch House.

Robert Wauch died in the Macleay area in 1866, and the Government Gazette published the deeds of his properties, specifying that they should be called Wauchope. When the post office opened in a nearby settlement in 1881, it was named Wauchope, although the Government Gazette misprinted the name Wanghope, an error that was not corrected until 1889.

It is pronounced war-hope,[4] although the family pronounced their name 'war-cope'. This is similar to the Canadian town which is pronounced 'walk-up'. The Wauchope family currently[timeframe?] pronounce their name 'war-cope'.[citation needed]

Floods

[edit]

The largest recorded flood in the Hastings River at Wauchope occurred on 13 January 1968 and reached a peak level of 9.1 metres (30 ft) above the Australian height datum (m AHD). The 1968 flood was estimated[by whom?] to be slightly rarer than a 100-year event. The next largest flood was determined to be the flood of 5 to 7 March 1894. This flood reached a peak flood level of 8.9 m AHD at Wauchope.

Other major floods occurred at Wauchope in February 1950 (8.45 m AHD), February 1929 (8.3 m AHD), August 1864 (8.2 m AHD), and June 1950 (8.1 m AHD).

The 1963 flood, which is notorious for the damage it caused in the lower reaches of the river, is only ranked as the eighth highest flood at Wauchope. It reached a peak level at Wauchope of 7.75 m AHD and was considered to be a 1 in 15-year event at Wauchope.

On 23 February 2013 floodwaters peaked at 7.22 m AHD at 7.30pm after heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area.[5]

Industry and economy

[edit]

Wauchope's economy was traditionally based on the timber industry. At different stages in its history, more timber was transported out of Wauchope than out of any other town in Australia (via Wauchope railway station).[6] Timber from the Yarras Plywood Sawmill near Wauchope was used in the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Many of the mill wokers were transported by Parsons Buses to the opening of the Opera House.

Industry in and around Wauchope has transformed primarily into farming and tourism. The town also serves as a 'dormitory suburb' for the nearby and much larger Port Macquarie. Increasingly, Wauchope and its surrounding villages and farms are becoming known for gourmet produce, including cheeses, wines and organic fruits and vegetables. The Hastings Farmers Markets are held at the Wauchope Showground on the 4th Saturday of every month and showcase a wide variety of local produce.

Timbertown, the town's best-known tourist attraction, is a colonial-era themed village, which is located on the outskirts of Wauchope. It features static displays and attractions such as a working steam train, bullock team, and a Cobb and Co stage coach.[6][7] The Big Bull was a notable tourist attraction between Wauchope and Port Macquarie for twenty years, but was removed in 2007.[8]

Other important attractions include the historical society, historic buildings, Broken Bago vineyards and natural attractions including state forests and Bago Bluff National Park.[6]

Wauchope railway station serves as an interchange for passengers travelling to nearby coastal centres such as Port Macquarie.[9]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19542,498—    
19613,038+21.6%
19663,173+4.4%
19713,357+5.8%
19763,525+5.0%
19813,645+3.4%
19864,181+14.7%
19914,297+2.8%
19964,693+9.2%
20014,759+1.4%
20065,503+15.6%
20116,372+15.8%
20166,881+8.0%
20217,982+16.0%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[10][11]

Layout

[edit]

The township is set out along the southern bank of the Hastings River with the back drop of Bago Mountain further south.

The main street is High Street (a small section of the Oxley Highway), running generally westward through the town after coming east from Port Macquarie and across the North Coast railway line. The main street includes the Co-op general store (previously Parkers) and a number of smaller businesses and local bank branches. At the corner of Hastings Street is the local post office. Further up the main street is the town clock, a legacy of the days the town was the centre of the Hastings Shire local government area. Back along Hastings Street is the Co-op supermarket as well as the court house. In 2009 work commenced on the rebuilding of this supermarket. The old building was completely demolished and a much larger and more modern structure was completed and opened in 2010.

Front view of the Jacaranda House, a heritage building built in 1888 on Cameron Street in Wauchope NSW.
Heritage building on Cameron Street in Wauchope NSW.

The main cross street is Cameron Street. The Hastings Hotel is on the south-east corner of Cameron and High and the Star Hotel is a short distance north. The RSL club is another 100 m (330 ft) north. Cameron Street leads to the Hastings River. A wharf was built at the northern end of Cameron Street for shipping produce downstream to Port Macquarie, but this no longer exists.

South of the main shopping area is the Wauchope Golf Course and Country Club, which occupies a premium site within the middle of the town. Further west is Timbertown, on the edge of large tracts of forestry land leading into the Bago Mountain area.

East of the main shopping area is the railway line from Sydney. The Hastings dairy and milk factory is located close to the point where the railway line crosses the Hastings River.

Schools

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  • Wauchope Public School
  • St Joseph's Primary School
  • Wauchope High School

Transport

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Wauchope has its own railway station on the North Coast Line of New South Wales. It is serviced by six NSW TrainLink trains per day 3 heading South (to Sydney), 3 heading further north to Grafton, Casino, and Brisbane. Passengers can alight at this station for connecting coaches to the nearby Port Macquarie.

People from Wauchope

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Sister cities

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The following city has been identified as a sister city of Wauchope by Sister Cities International:[12]

References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Wauchope (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Aboriginal Community Information". Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Wauchope". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 August 2013. Edit this at Wikidata
  4. ^ "Pronunciation of Wauchope". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 April 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 18 February 2018 – via Trove.
  5. ^ Hastings River Flood Study (PDF) (Report). Department of Transport and Regional Services, Australian Government. August 2006.
  6. ^ a b c "Wauchope". The Age. Melbourne, Vic. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  7. ^ "Things To See & Do". Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
  8. ^ Honan, Kim (15 October 2007). "Big Bull Demise". ABC Rural.
  9. ^ "Statistics by Catalogue Number". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Search Census data". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Online Directory: Australia". Sister Cities International. 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
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