Numbaa

{{Short description|Small farming town in the Shoalhaven, New South Wales}}{{Use Australian English|date=May 2025}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox Australian place|type=suburb|name=Numbaa|state=nsw|image=Merribee gardens.jpg|caption=View of the Merribee Gardens in Numbaa|nearest_town_or_city=Nowra|coordinates={{coord|34|52|04|S|150|40|46|E|display=inline,title}}|local_map=yes|pop=122|pop_year={{CensusAU|2021}}|established=1868 {{refn|group=lower-alpha|First referred to as Numbaa in 1822, church built 1855, incorporated 1868{{cite web | url=https://www.shoalhavenbereavement.com.au/Cemeteries/Historical-cemeteries#numbaa-cemetery | title=Historical cemeteries }}}}|postcode=2540|elevation=2|area=19.9|location1=Nowra|dist1=7.53|dir1=E|location2=Sydney|dist2=121.25|dir2=S|lga=Shoalhaven|region=South Coast|county=St Vincent|parish=Numbaa|stategov=South Coast|fedgov=Gilmore|near-nw=Bolong|near-n=Back Forest|near-ne=Coolangatta|near-w=Terara|near-e=Comerong Island|near-sw=Brundee|near-s=Pyree|near-se=Pyree}}

Numbaa (sometimes spelled Numba) is a farming locality, 7.5 Kilometres (5 Miles) east from the city of Nowra, in the Shoalhaven district of New South Wales, Australia. As of the 2021 Census it has a population of 122.{{Cite web |title=2021 Numbaa, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL13046 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=abs.gov.au}} The town is primarily based around the cattle industry and is built on the Shoalhaven River floodplain.

The village is largely located along Comerong Island Road, which leads to the Comerong Island ferry, which is the only way to access the island by car, and runs daily.{{Cite web |title=Numbaa {{!}} NSW Holidays & Accommodation, Things to Do, Attractions and Events |url=https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/nowra/destination-information/numbaa |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.visitnsw.com |language=en-AU}}

It is the location of The Merribee Gardens.{{Cite web |title=The Merribee - English/Italian Gardens {{!}} NSW Holidays & Accommodation, Things to Do, Attractions and Events |url=https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/nowra/attractions/the-merribee-english/italian-gardens |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.visitnsw.com |language=en-AU}}

Geography

File:Cambewarra Mountain Lookout (Cropped).png, with Numbaa island in the foreground]]

It borders the Shoalhaven River to the north, where the Numbaa and Regatta Islands are located,{{Cite web |title=Numbaa Island 2008-2019, NSW |url=https://livingshorelines.com.au/projects/project-159/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Living Shorelines Australia |language=en}} and Berrys Canal, the first transport canal in Australia, to the east.

The two main roads in the locality are Comerong Island Road and Jindyandy Lane. Jindyandy lane is named after the Jindyandy Mill in Pyree.

History

= Before [[History of Australia (1788–1850)|Colonisation]] =

The district lies within the country of the Aboriginal Jerrinja peoples of the Yuin nation{{Cite web |title=Heritage and history |url=https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Community-and-culture/Heritage-and-history |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au |language=en-AU}} the original inhabitants of the land. In the 2021 census, 5.7% of people were Aboriginal. The name Numbaa means "broad-leafed tea-tree".{{Cite web |date=2004-02-08 |title=Nowra |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/nowra-20040208-gdkq6h.html |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

= European Settlement =

In February 1822 the land, referred to as "Numbaa" was granted to Alexander Berry and Edward Wollstonecraft as part of a larger, 10,000 acre, grant.

A farm was constructed shortly after, becoming the first farm in the Shoalhaven. A barn was completed in 1830 where it can still be seen today. The first church in Nowra district, an iron frame Presbyterian church, was completed in Numbaa in 1855. The church does not exist any more. However 17.2% of people in Numbaa were Presbyterian as of the 2021 census, much higher than the state total of 1.9%. Burials at the church cemetery, which still exists, began sometime before 1856.{{Cite web |title=Historical cemeteries |url=https://www.shoalhavenbereavement.com.au/Cemeteries/Historical-cemeteries |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.shoalhavenbereavement.com.au |language=en-AU}} It was incorporated as the Municipality of Numbaa in 1868.{{Cite web |title=Gerringong to Bomaderry Route Options Development Report Appendix |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/documents/rww/projects/01documents/foxground-berry-bypass/g2b-appendix-i-part-3.pdf |website=transport NSW}}

At one point Numbaa had a hotel, court, race track and multiple churches. None of which remain. From 1883 to 1953 a public school existed at Numbaa.{{Cite web |title=Mr Philip Henry (1) MORTON (1862 - 1932) |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/formermembers/Pages/former-member-details.aspx?pk=1086 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.parliament.nsw.gov.au}}

= Recent History =

From 2002 to 2012 bank restoration work was carried out at Numbaa.{{Cite web |title=Riverwatch Restoration |url=https://www.riverwatch.org.au/bank-restoration.html |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Shoalhaven Riverwatch |language=en}}

Economy

54.9% of employed people work in Dairy Cattle farming and 9.8% work in Beef Cattle farming.

Notable People

= Morton Family =

The Morton brothers were also all uncles of Pat Morton.

Henry Morton (1867-1932), Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. Brother of Mark and Phillip Morton.
Mark Morton (1865-1938), Member of New South Wales Parliament, brother of Henry and Phillip Morton. Namesake of Morton National Park
Philip Morton (1862-1932), Member of New South Wales Parliament. Brother of Mark and Henry Morton.