Pilliga, New South Wales

Pilliga
New South Wales
The main street of Pilliga
Pilliga is located in New South Wales
Pilliga
Pilliga
Coordinates30°21′S 148°54′E / 30.350°S 148.900°E / -30.350; 148.900
Population217 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2388
LGA(s)Narrabri Shire
CountyAustralia
State electorate(s)Barwon, Tamworth
Federal division(s)Parkes

Pilliga is a village 105 km west of Narrabri in the North West Plains section of the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The village is within Narrabri Shire local government area.

It is located near the Pilliga Forest, which supports a rich assortment of bird life and a significant timber harvesting industry. At the 2016 census, Pilliga had a population of 217 people.[1] The place name is derived from an Aboriginal word for "swamp oaks".[2] The Pilliga post office opened on 1 January 1867.[3]

In 1902 the Pilliga artesian bore baths were constructed as a permanent town water supply. These baths have become a popular swimming and therapeutic spot for residents and visitors. The water temperature of the Pilliga bore is 37 °C (99 °F).

The village has a store, police station, post office and school which has about 16 enrolled pupils.

The book A Million Wild Acres by Eric Rolls,[4] is an acclaimed environmental history of the Pilliga Scrub.

Another point of dubious interest relevant to the area, is the frequent, apparent sightings of the mythical Yowie.[5]

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Pilliga (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 March 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Pilliga". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 August 2013. Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  4. ^ Rolls, Eric C. (1981). A million wild acres: 200 years of man and an Australian forest. Melbourne: Nelson. p. 465. ISBN 0-17-005302-4.
  5. ^ Western New South Wales Yowies Retrieved 2010-10-29