Windang, New South Wales Explained

Type:suburb
Windang
City:Wollongong
State:NSW
Lga:City of Wollongong
Postcode:2528
Coordinates:-34.5167°N 202°W
Coord Ref:[1]
Pop:2,610
Elevation:4
Stategov:Wollongong
Fedgov:Whitlam
Near-Nw:Lake Illawarra
Near-N:Primbee
Near-Ne:Pacific Ocean
Near-W:Lake Illawarra
Near-E:Pacific Ocean
Near-Sw:Lake Illawarra
Near-S:Lake Illawarra
Near-Se:Pacific Ocean
Dist1:98
Dir1:S
Location1:Sydney
Dist2:14
Dir2:S
Location2:Wollongong
Dist3:19
Dir3:N
Location3:Kiama

Windang is a suburb of Wollongong in New South Wales on the southern tip of the peninsula guarding the ocean entrance to Lake Illawarra. Windang is popular for its fishing, prawning, boating, windsurfing and yachting. Windang is about 98 km south of Sydney, approximately 20 minutes drive south of the Wollongong CBD and about seven minutes from Shellharbour.

History

Windang is an aboriginal word meaning "scene of a fight". William Turnbull purchased land in the area in 1920 and erected a two-story building called "Wyndang House".

In 1926 the Post Office attached to this house was officially named Windang Post Office following a submission from Turnbull to have the name changed from the unofficial Lake Illawarra Post Office. The request was granted on the proviso that "the correct spelling be adopted namely Windang, which is that of the Island and Trigonometrical Station thereon in the vicinity".

Tourism and recreational fishing have always been of major importance in the area. Guest houses sprang up in the 1930s to cater for the tourist trade, and the Windang Camping Reserves have never ceased to be popular.

The popular Australian garage rock band Hockey Dad reside in Windang, often referencing their love for the suburb during live concerts, in recorded music, and in their music videos.

Former UFC Featherweight Champion Alex Volkanovski fights out of Windang.

Windang is sometimes notorious for the number of drownings that occur in the area; in 2011, a 19-year-old man drowned whilst rock-fishing in the area.[2] [3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/gazd01?rec=96062 Windang page
  2. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-12-05/coroner-to-get-report-on-windang-beach-drowning/754680 Coroner to get report on Windang Beach drowning - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  3. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/teen-drowns-in-rock-fishing-accident-20111004-1l7kx.html Teen drowns in rock fishing accident
  4. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/search-called-off-for-man-missing-after-boat-tragedy-20111003-1l5bn.html Search called off for man missing after boat tragedy