Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Kempsey area were the Dunghutti Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from 1827 with the first land grants made in 1835. Land was used mainly for grazing, dairy farming and timber getting. Growth took place during the late 1800s, particularly in and around the township of Kempsey. Expansion continued during the early 1900s, aided by the opening of the railway line. Significant growth occurred from the 1970s, with the population of the Shire increasing from about 11,000 in 1971 to 17,000 in 1976, and then to about 23,000 in 1986. The population continued to increase from the 1990s, rising to about 25,000 in 1991, to 27,000 in 2001, and then to about 28,500 in 2011. Recent growth has been prominent in South West Rocks. Population growth is expected to continue.

Land use

Kempsey Shire is a predominantly rural area, with numerous inland and coastal townships. The Shire encompasses a total land area of nearly 3,400 square kilometres. The largest town is Kempsey, with smaller townships at Crescent Head, Frederickton, Gladstone, Hat Head, Smithtown, South West Rocks and Stuarts Point, and small villages at Bellbrook, Grassy Head, Jerseyville, Kinchela, Kundabung and Willawarrin. Rural land is used largely for dairy farming and timber production, with tourism, horticulture and fishing also being important industries.

Transport

Kempsey Shire is served by the Pacific Highway, Kempsey Airport and the north coast railway line.

Major features

• Major features of the Shire include Arakoon National Park,
• Carrai National Park,
• Goolawah National Park,
• Hat Head National Park,
• Kumbatine National Park,
• Limeburners Creek National Park,
• Maria National Park,
• New England National Park,
• Willi Willi National Park,
• Yarrahappini Wetlands National Park,
• Yarriabinni National Park,
• Boonanghi Nature Reserve,
• Fifes Knob Nature Reserve,
• Fishermans Bend Nature Reserve,
• Gads Sugarloaf Nature Reserve,
• Skillion Nature Reserve,
• The Castles Nature Reserve,
• Willi Willi Caves Nature Reserve,
• Yarravel Nature Reserve,
• numerous state forests,
• Carrai State Conservation Area,
• Clybucca Historic Site,
• Trial Bay Gaol,
• Smoky Cape Lighthouse,
• Macleay River Historical Society Museum,
• Slim Dusty Centre,
• Wigay Aboriginal Culture Park,
• Kempsey Township,
• Kempsey District Hospital,
• North Coast TAFE (Kempsey Campus),
• Dangars Creek Vineyard,
• Sherwood Estate Winery,
• The Macleay River and numerous beaches.

Included areas