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| The entry sign at Evans
Head |
Evans Head
Holiday resort destination on the Evans River.
Evans Head is a tiny little coastal fishing village located
6 metres above sea-level at the mouth of the Evans River. It
is 727 km north-east of Sydney between
Iluka and
Ballina and 11 km south-east of
Woodburn.
Evans Head proudly announces that it was the first
prawning port in Australia and prawns and fish are still
mainstays of the local economy, supplemented by sugarcane,
tourism and dairying. A substantial fishing fleet of 3040
vessels is moored at the mouth of the river on the far side
of the Evans River Bridge.
The territory around Evans Head is low-lying country
apart from the picturesque headland which rises on the far
side of the Evans River. There are 6 km of safe surfing
beaches, some fine coastal scenery, sandy river flats, a
camping area, caravan parks, guest houses, motels and the
possibility of rock, beach and ocean fishing.
The majority of the town's permanent population are
retirees fleeing the rat race. Recent development was
adamantly opposed on the grounds that it would destroy the
simplicity of the local lifestyle. It is true that, in
comparison to some of the towns on the coast, Evans Head
retains an unspoilt charm reflected in its old-style fibro
and wood houses and a shopping centre devoid of supermarkets
and malls.
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| Fishing boats in Evans
Head Harbour |
Prior to European occupation the area was inhabited by
the Bundjalung people. The first European settler was
Captain Thomas Paddon who first encountered the area during
a lengthy beach walk when his coastal survey ship was unable
to leave Ballina. He named the river and offshore reef Evans
after the first lieutenant of his ship.
Along with others, Paddon scoured the local beaches for
alluvial gold in the late 1870s. At that time Chinaman Beach
was worked by some 300 Chinese miners and McAuleys Lead was
established about 25 km from Evans Head.
Paddon settled at the river mouth, building a hotel from
cedar logs washed up on the beach. He and his family later
pioneered the application of scientific methods to oyster
farming. Both his son, Jim, and his grandson, Evans, gained
world titles in rowing. Jim became the first president of
the local surf life-saving club and Evans pioneered the
Australian prawning industry.
The area began to attract a few regular holiday-makers in
the early 20th century, largely from Kyogle and Casino, and
a store was opened at Evans Head in 1919. At the time, the
only other buildings, amidst the dense heath, were a wine
shop, two boarding houses and a few private homes. They were
soon supplemented by a butchery and a bakery. The first
public school was opened in 1920 and a community hall, built
in 1921, was used for church services and motion pictures. A
restaurant and banking facilities were established in 1925
and a post office c.1930.
The town grew rapidly when the RAAF established a bombing
gunnery school in 1940 which, at its peak, had 1776
personnel. The bridge over the Evans River was built in
1962.
Things to see:
Razorback Lookout
Razorback Lookout offers quite magnificent panoramic views
of the area. On a clear day the Cape Byron Lighthouse can be
seen to the north. Broadwater National Park lies behind the
coastline to the immediate north. Canefields are evident,
along with the smoke from the sugar mill at
Broadwater. Behind Evans Head is the airport and the
southern hinterland is taken up by Bundjalung National Park.
To get to the lookout, cross the bridge over the Evans
River at the bottom of Elm St, turn left and follow the
riverbank past the boat harbour. This road, which becomes
Ocean Drive, bends to the right and then a short side road
heads off to the left, up to the lookout.
Bundjalung National Park
If, instead, you cross the bridge and turn to your right,
the dirt road leads to Gumma Garra Picnic Area on the banks
of the Evans River in Bundjalung National Park which was
named after the Bundjalung Aborigines who once occupied this
land, leaving a number of middens to attest to that fact.
Bundjalung covers 17 000 hectares, including 38 km of
beaches, and its ecosystems range from rainforest through
heathland, coastal cypress stands, lagoons and wetlands to
coastal plains. It is home to 205 bird, 30 mammal, 38
reptile and 13 amphibian species. However, the area to the
south is inaccessible from Evans Head as an intervening
section is used by the RAAF. For further information ring
the Lismore office of the NPWS, tel: (02) 6627 0200.
Broadwater National Park
Broadwater National Park covers 3800 ha, including 8 km of
beach frontage. It contains many large sand dunes dating
back about 60 000 years ago and ridges formed by the
cementation of wind-blown sands on existing rocks. Covered
largely by heath and wetland, the park bursts into colour at
springtime with the assistance of a multitude of
wildflowers. There are many bird species in the park,
together with wallabies, echidnae, bandicoots, possums and
bush rats.
The Bundjalung people held initiation ceremonies until
1922 at a bora ring which was located in what is now part of
the park, to the east of Broadwater township.
From Evans Head, the Broadwater Road (sealed) heads
northwards through the park. About 1.5 km along this road
you can see, to the right, the signposted start of the Salty
Lagoon Walking Track which leads to an unusual wetland area
in the scrub behind the sand dunes where birdlife is
profuse.
About four more kilometres along the Broadwater Road, a
gravel road heads off to the right to Broadwater Lookout,
from whence there is a short walking track.
Broadwalk
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Evans Head
