Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Kempsey

Kempsey

Kempsey, the main town in the Macleay Valley lies on the Pacific Highway where it crosses the picturesque Macleay River. Although cedar cutters were the first inhabitants into the area in the 1820's, a grant along the Macleay River was issued and eventually sold to Enoch Rudder in the mid 1830's. The initial township was established once Rudder subdivided some of the land and established a punt service across the Macleay River. By the early 1840's much of the surrounding cedar was exhausted and by the early 1850's the government had established West Kempsey to service the newly created pastoral industries which include beef, dairy and maize. Growth remained steady as the railway and highway were extended north to service the region. The town nowadays remains an important rural centre as well as being an important stop for motorists along the Pacific Highway. Of interest around town include the Rudder Park Lookout (1km south - superb views over the river and CBD), the Macleay River Bridge, coastal centres of South West Rocks and Crescent Head, several nearby National Parks (Hat Head, Maria & Kumbatine) plus the town features several historic buildings, a vibrant shopping (Central Kempsey) and commercial (West Kempsey) precincts as well as standout parkland abutting the Macleay River.

Population: 9,600
State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Named after the English town of Kempsey
Pronunciation: Kemp-see
Postcode: 2440
Local Government: Kempsey Shire Council
Location: 444km north of Sydney
Main Roads: Pacific Highway
Main Watercourses: Macleay River
Radio Stations (Music): Star FM (105.1 & 102.3), Max FM (107.3), 2MC-FM (106.7), Triple J (91.5)

Photos from Kempsey (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Smith Street (Pacific Hwy), looking north towards Forth St, Kempsey (2005).

Smith Street (Pacific Hwy), heading south between Forth and Belgrave St, Kempsey (2005).

Smith Street (Pacific Hwy), again heading south between Forth and Belgrave St with the historic post office on the left, Kempsey (2005).

Belgrave St, heading west from Smith St, Kempsey (2005).

Belgrave St, again looking west this time from Holman St towards West Kempsey (2005).

Kemp Street, looking north approaching the Elbow/Belgrave St reoundabout, West Kempsey (2005).

Sea Street, looking north-west from Kemp St, West Kempsey (2005).

Riverside Park, looking south across the Macleay River, Kempsey (2005).

Looking south along the Macleay River foreshore parkland and the Macleay River bridge, Kempsey (2005).

View west across parkland and along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Macleay River bridge, Kempsey (2005).

Rudder Street, looking south-west as it approaches Lord St, Kempsey (2005).

Lord Street (Pacific Hwy), heading south-west through South Kempsey (2005).

Lachlan Street (Pacific Hwy), heading south from Bloomfield St, through South Kempsey (2005).

View west across Kempsey, Macleay River and associated floodplains from the Rudder Park lookout (2005).

View south-west over the Macleay River, the railway bridge and surrounding area from the Rudder Park Lookout, Kempsey (2000).

View north-west over Kempsey CBD and the Macleay River from the Rudder Park Lookout (2005).

Looking west towards the Macleay River and bridge from Ferry St, Kempsey (2005).

	Smith Street (Pacific Hwy), looking north towards Forth St, Kempsey (2005).
	Smith Street (Pacific Hwy), heading south between Forth and Belgrave St, Kempsey (2005).
	Smith Street (Pacific Hwy), again heading south between Forth and Belgrave St with the historic post office on the left, Kempsey (2005).
	Belgrave St, heading west from Smith St, Kempsey (2005).
	Belgrave St, again looking west this time from Holman St towards West Kempsey (2005).
	Kemp Street, looking north approaching the Elbow/Belgrave St reoundabout, West Kempsey (2005).
	Sea Street, looking north-west from Kemp St, West Kempsey (2005).
	Riverside Park, looking south across the Macleay River, Kempsey (2005).
	Looking south along the Macleay River foreshore parkland and the Macleay River bridge, Kempsey (2005).
	View west across parkland and along the Pacific Hwy as it approaches the Macleay River bridge, Kempsey (2005).
	Rudder Street, looking south-west as it approaches Lord St, Kempsey (2005).
	Lord Street (Pacific Hwy), heading south-west through South Kempsey (2005).
	Lachlan Street (Pacific Hwy), heading south from Bloomfield St, through South Kempsey (2005).
	View west across Kempsey, Macleay River and associated floodplains from the Rudder Park lookout (2005).
	View south-west over the Macleay River, the railway bridge and surrounding area from the Rudder Park Lookout, Kempsey (2000).
	View north-west over Kempsey CBD and the Macleay River from the Rudder Park Lookout (2005).
	Looking west towards the Macleay River and bridge from Ferry St, Kempsey (2005).