Broulee Heritage Area
Historical Sites and Heritage Locations
Broulee Heritage Area on the Eurobodalla South Coast has a rich and vibrant history, although much of it is now hidden from view. This was the region's first port. In the 1830s, a sandbar blocked the entrance to the Moruya River, so local settlers loaded and unloaded from ships anchored in Broulee Bay.
Surveyed and gazetted in 1837, Broulee had developed a brisk sea trade with Sydney by mid-1841 and became a depot for Jervis Bay's whaling fleet. The port had six buildings and 46 residents, mostly convicts employed by landowner Captain William Oldrey, and was the centre of court and police districts stretching from Jervis Bay to Eden.
After a flood scoured out the bar at the Moruya River in 1841, Moruya became the preferred port. The court and hotel moved there in the 1850s and Broulee was abandoned, until holidaymakers discovered it in the 1920s.
Explore the story on foot. In the park on the northern bank of Candlagan Creek, a memorial honours the settlers and Traditional Owners who rescued survivors from the wreck of the schooner Rover in 1841. Then walk around Broulee Island, a nature reserve since 1964, to see the site of the 1840-41 Erin-Go-Bragh Hotel and an interesting 1842 grave.
After a flood scoured out the bar at the Moruya River in 1841, Moruya became the preferred port. The court and hotel moved there in the 1850s and Broulee was abandoned, until holidaymakers discovered it in the 1920s.
Explore the story on foot. In the park on the northern bank of Candlagan Creek, a memorial honours the settlers and Traditional Owners who rescued survivors from the wreck of the schooner Rover in 1841. Then walk around Broulee Island, a nature reserve since 1964, to see the site of the 1840-41 Erin-Go-Bragh Hotel and an interesting 1842 grave.
