Fingal Bay#Headland and Point Stephens

{{For|the similarly named locality in far northern New South Wales|Fingal Head (New South Wales)}}

{{Infobox Australian place

| type = suburb

| name = Fingal Bay

| state = nsw

| image = Fingal Bay (6898898915).jpg

| caption = Fingal Bay

| coordinates = {{coord|32|45|S|152|10|E|display=inline,title}}

| pop = 1635

| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}

| pop_footnotes = {{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC10889|name=Fingal Bay (State Suburb)|accessdate=14 October 2012|quick=on}}

| density = 175.8

| density_footnotes = {{#tag:ref|Only {{Convert|1.1|km2|sqmi|1}} (approximately 12%) of the suburb is inhabited.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC10889|name=Fingal Bay (State Suburb)|accessdate=14 October 2012|}} For this reason, the population density figure shown is that of the inhabited area, rather than for the whole suburb, as this is more representative of the actual population density. The average population density for the whole suburb is {{convert|161.6|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}.|group=Note}}

| est =

| postcode = 2315

| area = 9.3

| area_footnotes = 1:100000 map 9332 PORT STEPHENS

| timezone = AEST

| utc = +10

| timezone-dst = AEDT

| utc-dst = +11

| dist1 = 213

| dir1 = NNE

| location1 = Sydney

| dist2 = 65

| dir2 = NE

| location2 = Newcastle

| dist3 = 50

| dir3 = ENE

| location3 = Raymond Terrace

| lga = Port Stephens Council{{cite web|url=http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?regiontype=2&slacode=6400®ion=HT |title=Suburb Search – Local Council Boundaries – Hunter (HT) – Port Stephens |publisher=New South Wales Division of Local Government |access-date=10 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621120504/http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?regiontype=2&slacode=6400®ion=HT |archive-date=21 June 2014 }}

| region = Hunter

| county = Gloucester{{NSW GNR|id=JPQloetLGH|title=Fingal Bay (suburb)|access-date=10 August 2010}}

| parish = Tomaree

| stategov = Port Stephens{{Cite web |url=https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/District-profiles/port-stephens|title=Port Stephens|publisher=New South Wales Electoral Commission |access-date=23 November 2019}}

| fedgov = Paterson{{Cite web|url=http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/LocalitySearchResults.aspx?filter=Paterson&filterby=Electorate |title=Paterson |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |date=13 July 2010 |access-date=10 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029100345/http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/LocalitySearchResults.aspx?filter=Paterson&filterby=Electorate |archive-date=29 October 2009 }}

| maxtemp = 27.3

| maxtemp_footnotes = {{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_061054|site_name=Nelson Bay (Nelson Head)|access-date=4 May 2015}}

| mintemp = 8.9

| mintemp_footnotes =

| rainfall = 1348.1

| rainfall_footnotes =

| near-n = Shoal Bay

| near-ne = Tasman Sea

| near-e = Tasman Sea

| near-se = Tasman Sea

| near-s = Tasman Sea

| near-sw = One Mile, Tasman Sea

| near-w = Nelson Bay

| near-nw = Nelson Bay

| local_map = yes

| zoom = 12

}}

Fingal Bay is the easternmost suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The only population centre is the township of the same name, which itself is named after the adjacent, small, semi-circular bay.{{NSW GNR|id=JPQloetLJP|title=Fingal Bay (bay)|access-date=27 May 2008}} At the [https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL11521 2021 census], the population of the town was 1,635.

Except for the township, most of Fingal Bay is included in the Tomaree National Park, which includes forested areas, coastal scrubland, beaches and most of the Fingal headland. The suburb does not include the bay itself.{{DoL suburb image|name=Fingal Bay|codename=Fingal%20Bay|accessdate=27 May 2008}}

Fingal Bay

Fingal Bay is about {{convert|1.75|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} across at its widest point and {{convert|1.3|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} from the mouth to the beach. The northeastern head of the bay is the Point Stephens headland, which is connected to the mainland via Fingal Spit, a sand spit about {{convert|900|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} long. Waters to the northeast of the spit are known as "Fly Roads".1:25000 map 93324S PORT STEPHENS Crossing between the mainland and the headland along the spit is considered dangerous.{{cite news|url=http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/news/local/news/general/beacon-could-save-lives-as-fingal-spit-chosen-for-sixweek-trial/1719177.aspx|title=Beacon could save lives as Fingal Spit chosen for six-week trial|first=Nick|last=Hansen|publisher=Port Stephens Examiner|date=6 January 2010|access-date=10 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706111224/http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/news/local/news/general/beacon-could-save-lives-as-fingal-spit-chosen-for-sixweek-trial/1719177.aspx|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}} According to a sign on the beach, people have died crossing the spit, which is covered by breaking waves at high tide. The south-western head of the bay is Fingal Head, which is located southeast of the town. Between the two heads, the mouth is over {{convert|1|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} wide. The bay includes a sandy beach about {{convert|1.9|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} long.

= History =

The bay was originally known as "False Bay", because it could be mistaken for the entrance to Port Stephens.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28629984?searchTerm=%22False+Bay%22|title=Erection of a lighthouse at Port Stephens|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 February 1860|access-date=10 August 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.portstephens-australia.com/PortStephens_FingalBay.php|title=Fingal Bay, Port Stephens Australia|work=portstephens-australia.com|access-date=10 August 2010}} The name "Fingal Bay" appeared on an 1845 map prepared by Captain Phillip Parker King.

Heritage listings

Fingal Bay has a number of heritage-listed sites, including Point Stephens Light on Point Stephens, or Fingal Island.{{cite NSW SHR|5045303|Point Stephens Lighthouse Group|hr=01005|access-date=18 May 2018}}

= Tourism campaign =

Fingal Spit was a location for the 2006 "So where the bloody hell are you?" advertising campaign filmed for Tourism Australia and appears at the end of the advertisement.

Headland and Point Stephens

The irregularly shaped headland, also known as Fingal Island,{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/point-stephens-lighthouse-and-fingal-island |title=Point Stephens Lighthouse and Fingal Island|work=www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au|access-date=5 Jan 2024}} covers an area of approximately {{Convert|1|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}}, most of which is part of the Tomaree National Park, and reaches {{convert|75|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in height.{{cite web|url=http://australia.greatestdivesites.com/new_south_wales/port-stephens/fingal_island|title=Fingal Island is a small island close to shore with some spectacular wall dives and soft coral gardens|work=australia.greatestdivesites.com|access-date=10 August 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/destinations/destination/australia/nsw/northcoastnsw/portstephens/fingal-bay/|title=Fingal Bay, Port Stephens NSW Australia – Totaltravel from Yahoo!7|work=au.totaltravel.yahoo.com|access-date=10 August 2010}} Point Stephens was connected to the mainland prior to the "Maitland gale" in 1891.{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5045303|title=Point Stephens Lighthouse Group|work=environment.nsw.gov.au|access-date=24 May 2014}} The southeasternmost point of the headland was named "Point Stephens" by Captain Cook when he passed on 11 May 1770, honouring Sir Philip Stephens who was Secretary to the Admiralty.{{NSW GNR|id=TRckZxxOGH|title=Point Stephens|access-date=10 August 2010}} Stephens was a personal friend of Cook and had recommended him for command of the voyage.{{cite web |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14423 |title=A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 12}}Robert Kerr. It seems Cook's initial choice had actually been Point Keppel (named after Augustus Keppel, a Lords Commissioner of the Admiralty), but instead he used Keppel later when he named Keppel Bay.Ray Parkin, H. M. Bark Endeavour, Miegunyah Press, 2nd edition 2003, {{ISBN|0-522-85093-6}}, page 213. The name first appeared on chart 1070, prepared by Captain Phillip Parker King in 1845.

= Lighthouse =

As early as 1857, the need for a lighthouse on Point Stephens was identified, due to the proximity to the entrance of Port Stephens, and the dangers of the local coastline to ships.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13001303?searchTerm=%22Point+Stephens%22|title=The Coast and Its Harbours|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=9 October 1857|access-date=10 August 2010}} A {{convert|21|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} high stone lighthouse was subsequently constructed in 1862.{{cite loa|NSW|Point%20Stephens|The Point Stephens Lighthouse|date=25 October 1998|access-date=10 August 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13226111?searchTerm=%22Point+Stephens%22|title=The Port Stephens Light|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 March 1862|access-date=10 August 2010}} In 1973 the lighthouse keeper was replaced by automated system powered by solar.{{Cite web|last=Blight|first=Taryn|title=The Story Behind Port Stephens and Fingal Bay|url=https://blog.fcswc.org.au/blog/the-story-behind-port-stephens-and-fingal-bay|access-date=2020-10-16|website=blog.fcswc.org.au|language=en-au}} The light is {{convert|38|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above mean sea level and has a range of {{convert|28|km|nmi|0|abbr=on}}.

Transport

Port Stephens Coaches operate local services to Newcastle as well as an express service to Sydney.[http://www.pscoaches.com.au/Timetables Bus Timetables] Port Stephens Coaches

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.maps.com.au Coastal Explorer Pacific Touring Route Sydney to Brisbane, Cartoscope, 4th edition, 2004]

Category:Bays of New South Wales

Category:Headlands of New South Wales

Category:Suburbs of Port Stephens Council

Category:Towns in the Hunter Region

Category:Beaches of New South Wales