Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Sawtell

Sawtell

Sawtell, located just off the Pacific Highway, 10km south of the major centre of Coffs Harbour is well known for its local surf beaches and waterways. The town sits between the Bonville and Boambee creeks and just behind the prominent Boambee headland. The area was originally set aside as Bonville reserve on which a small timber community developed however growth didn't occur until the late 1920's when the reserve was subdivided nearby to the already existing railway and north coast road. With the timber industry dwindling, Sawtell became a sleepy seaside town which has only grown in recent times due to increased tourism and as a retirement location. Despite the bustling commercial centre of Coffs Harbour being in close proximity, Sawtell has an interesting town centre based along the wide, shady section of First Aveune.

Population: 7,300
State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Named after Oswald Sawtell who subdivided the land in the late 1920's
Pronunciation: Saw-tell
Postcode: 2452
Local Government: Coffs Harbour City Council
Location: 557km north of Sydney
Main Roads: Pacific Highway
Main Watercourses: South Pacific Ocean
Radio Stations (Music): 2CS-FM (106.3), CHY (104.1), FM 104.7 (104.7), Star FM (105.5), Triple J (91.5)

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

Looking south-west over Sawtell from Boambee lookout (2005).

And again, this time looking south over Sawtell Beach (2005).

Looking north from Boambee lookout over Boambee beach with Coffs Harbour in the distance, Sawtell (2005).

First Avenue, heading south from Dillion Ave, Sawtell (2005).

First Ave, looking north from Second Ave, Sawtell (2005).

The First Ave shopping precinct, looking north between Boronia St and Second Ave, Sawtell (2005).

Looking north along First Ave from Boronia St, Sawtell (2005).

Looking east along Lyons Rd adjacent to the Sawtell Reserve, Sawtell (2005).

Lyons Road, looking east approaching Banool St, Sawtell (2005).

View south-east over Bonville Creek from Lyons Road with the South Pacific Ocean in the distance, Sawtell (2005).

	Looking south-west over Sawtell from Boambee lookout (2005).
	And again, this time looking south over Sawtell Beach (2005).
	Looking north from Boambee lookout over Boambee beach with Coffs Harbour in the distance, Sawtell (2005).
	First Avenue, heading south from Dillion Ave, Sawtell (2005).
	First Ave, looking north from Second Ave, Sawtell (2005).
	The First Ave shopping precinct, looking north between Boronia St and Second Ave, Sawtell (2005).
	Looking north along First Ave from Boronia St, Sawtell (2005).
	Looking east along Lyons Rd adjacent to the Sawtell Reserve, Sawtell (2005).
	Lyons Road, looking east approaching Banool St, Sawtell (2005).
	View south-east over Bonville Creek from Lyons Road with the South Pacific Ocean in the distance, Sawtell (2005).