Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Wyong area were the Guringai and Darkinjung Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from 1825 when the first land grant was made. Land was used mainly for farming and timber getting. Growth was minimal until the 1870s and 1880s, spurred by the opening of the railway line in 1889 and the expansion of tourism. Significant development occurred during the post-war years, aided by the improved access brought about by the construction of the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway in the 1960s, and the expansion of metropolitan Sydney. The population of the Shire grew from about 10,000 in 1947 to nearly 19,000 in 1961, and then to nearly 33,000 in 1971. Rapid growth took place during the 1970s and 1980s, with the population growing from 47,000 in 1976 to 82,000 in 1986. Substantial growth continued during the 1990s, with growth continuing at a slower rate between 2001 and 2011. The enumerated population increased from about 100,000 in 1991 to nearly 148,000 in 2011. (Usual Residence population in 2011 was 149,745).

Land use

Wyong Shire is a growing residential area, with some commercial and industrial land use. Wyong Shire includes the major service centre of Wyong-Tuggerah and numerous townships spread around Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake, Lake Munmorah and the southern shore of Lake Macquarie. The Shire encompasses a total land area of over 820 square kilometres, including substantial areas of national parks, state forests, coastline and lakes. The western half of the Shire is predominantly rural. Rural land is used mainly for farming, timber-getting and coal mining for electricity generation. Wyong Shire's administrative centre is located in the town of Wyong.

Transport

Wyong Shire is served by the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, the Pacific Highway and the Sydney-Newcastle railway line.

Major features

• Major features of the Shire include the coastal lake system of Budgewoi Lake,
• Lake Macquarie,
• Lake Munmorah and Tuggerah Lake,
• various beaches,
• Wyrrabalong National Park,
• Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area,
• Jilliby State Conservation Area,
• Munmorah State Conservation Area,
• Olney State Forest,
• Ourimbah State Forest,
• Wyong State Forest,
• The Entrance Waterfront Plaza,
• The University of Newcastle (Central Coast Campus),
• TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute (Ourimbah and Wyong Campuses),
• The Wyong CBD,
• Central Coast Community College,
• Wyong Hospital,
• Westfield Tuggerah (shopping centre),
• Wyong Racecourse and The Great North Walk.

Included areas