Windang, New South Wales

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.

Windang
WollongongNew South Wales
Aerial view from east
Windang is located in New South Wales
Windang
Windang
Coordinates34°31′S 150°52′E / 34.517°S 150.867°E / -34.517; 150.867[1]
Population2,610 (2021 census)[2]
Postcode(s)2528
Elevation4 m (13 ft)
Location
LGA(s)City of Wollongong
State electorate(s)Wollongong
Federal division(s)Whitlam
Suburbs around Windang:
Lake Illawarra Primbee Pacific Ocean
Lake Illawarra Windang Pacific Ocean
Lake Illawarra Lake Illawarra Pacific Ocean

History

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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.[3][4][5]

References

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  1. ^ Windang page at Geoscience Australia
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Windang (State Suburb)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 July 2024.  
  3. ^ Coroner to get report on Windang Beach drowning - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  4. ^ Teen drowns in rock fishing accident
  5. ^ Search called off for man missing after boat tragedy