Nambucca Heads
| Nambucca Heads New South Wales | |
|---|---|
Nambucca Heads aerial panorama at sunset | |
| Coordinates | 30°39′0″S 153°00′0″E / 30.65000°S 153.00000°E |
| Population | 6,668 (UCL 2021) |
| • Density | 227.8/km2 (590/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 2448 |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Area | 31.39 |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Nambucca Valley Council |
| County | Raleigh |
| State electorate(s) | Oxley |
| Federal division(s) | Cowper |
Nambucca Heads is a town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia in the Nambucca Valley. It is located on a ridge, north of the estuary of the Nambucca River near the Pacific Highway. Its population at the 2021 census was 6,668 (6,314 in the 2016 census and 6,220 in the 2011 census), including 5,220 (78.3%) Australian–born persons; followed by 262 (3.9%) English people, 86 (1.3%) New Zealand people, 36 (0.5%) Scottish people, 33 (0.5%) German people, and 32 (0.5%) Filipino people. and 672 (10.1%) indigenous persons.
The place name is derived from an Gumbaynggirr word Ngambagabaga. Clement Hodgkinson asked two Ngamba men what the name of the area was they responded to Nyambagabaga as the spot they were standing was a bend in the river where a Ngamba giant was speared in the leg in the Dreaming. This location is the Foreshore Caravan Park now. Ngamba is a subsection of Gumbaynggirr Nation & Baga Baga means Knee. This was later interpreted as Nambucca. It is a popular holiday and retirement destination.
The town is located on the North Coast railway line, and is served by the three daily NSW TrainLink services.