South West Rocks

History

Arakoon was originally established as the township on Trial Bay in 1866. However, by 1889, South West Rocks had established itself as a popular bathing resort with people of the Macleay Valley. South West Rocks got its name most likely from the captains of passing ships, who claimed it was safest to moor vessels near the rocks, south west of Laggers Point (the point on which Trial Bay Gaol is built). Another theory is that their moorings would be safe if they kept the rocks to their south west. Trial Bay was named after a brig, The Trial, which was stolen and wrecked by convicts in 1816 in the bay that now bears its name. On 13 May 1770, Captain James Cook observed smoke from a fire on a mountain which he named Smoky Cape. The headland in front of the mountain is now the location of Smoky Cape Lighthouse. In 1972, a Sydney Harbour showboat, Sydney Queen, and the former Newcastle car carriers Lurgurena and Koondooloo, were wrecked on the Main Beach after breaking free from their moorings in heavy storms. Elements of all three vessels were salvaged, but the hull of Sydney Queen filled with sand and could not be removed. It was eventually burned to the waterline to remove the obstruction from the beach. }}

Most-observed species

• Maundia triglochinoides F.Muell.

  Maundia triglochinoides F.Muell. · Liliopsida
  10,393
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,434
• Masked Lapwing

  Vanellus miles (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  2,414
• Rainbow Lorikeet

  Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus, 1771) · Aves
  2,193
• Australian Ibis

  Threskiornis molucca (Cuvier, 1829) · Aves
  2,108
• Welcome Swallow

  Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842 · Aves
  2,108
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,065
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,037