History of Batemans Bay & Clyde River

Named after Nathanial Batemans in 1770 by Captain James Cook, Batemans Bays industry was orignially based on oysters and timber.

It was 1770 when Captain James Cook named Batemans Bay. In 1821 Lt Johnson visited Batemans Bay with Hamilton Hume and Major Mitchell, but development of the area occurred in the 1860’s with sawmilling and farming. During the days of the early settlers sawmills dotted the coast from Batemans Bay to Narooma with Perry’s Mill of Batemans Bay one of the first and largest. Timber was shipped from the mouth of the Clyde River and Nelligen wharf became the home of the Illawarra Steam Navigation Company.

Oyster farming was a significant commercial operation in Batemans Bay’s history and it is still an important industry to the region today. Local oysters of the highest quality are supplied to the discerning markets of Sydney and Melbourne.

While we now only have to wait a few minutes while the Batemans Bay Bridge opens and closes twice a day, spare a thought for the visitors and locals using punts in the early days to cross the river at Batemans Bay and Nelligen.

 

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