Williamtown, New South Wales

Last updated

Williamtown
Newcastle,  New South Wales
Fighter World entrance cropped.jpg
Fighter World Museum at RAAF Base Williamtown
Australia New South Wales location map blank.svg
Red pog.svg
Williamtown
Williamtown, New South Wales
Coordinates 32°48′54″S151°50′34″E / 32.81500°S 151.84278°E / -32.81500; 151.84278
Population762 (2021 census) [1]
 • Density16.97/km2 (44.0/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 2318 (Williamtown),
2314 (Williamtown RAAF)
Elevation5 m (16 ft) [Note 1]
Area44.9 km2 (17.3 sq mi) [Note 2]
Time zone AEST (UTC+10)
 • Summer (DST) AEDT (UTC+11)
Location
LGA(s) Port Stephens Council [2]
Region Hunter [2]
County Gloucester [3]
Parish Stowell [3]
State electorate(s) Port Stephens [4]
Federal division(s) Paterson
Mean max temp [5] Mean min temp [5] Annual rainfall [5]
23.2 °C
74 °F
12.5 °C
55 °F
1,129.0 mm
44.4 in
Suburbs around Williamtown:
Raymond Terrace Campvale Salt Ash
Raymond Terrace, Tomago Williamtown Salt Ash
Tomago Fullerton Cove Salt Ash, Tasman Sea

Williamtown is a rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. [2] [6] It is located on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay. [7]

Contents

Geography

The eastern section of Williamtown is dominated by RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport while the western section of the area is primarily semi-rural with some large-acreage residential areas scattered along Cabbage Tree Road which is a main access route to Port Stephens from the Pacific Highway. To the south Williamtown reaches Fullerton Cove, a large cove at the Hunter River. The south-eastern corner of the area reaches the Tasman Sea on Stockton Beach and access to the beach is possible at this point for off-road vehicles via Lavis Lane.

Climate

Williamtown possesses a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa), with very warm, wet summers and mild, relatively dry winters. Average maxima vary from 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in January to 17.2 °C (63.0 °F) in July, while average minima fluctuate between 18.2 °C (64.8 °F) in January and February and 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in July. Annual precipitation is moderately high (averaging 1,129.0 mm (44.45 in)), and is spread across 86.6 precipitation days (over 1.0 mm (0.039 in)). The town experiences 103.2 clear days and 127.3 cloudy days per annum. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 45.5 °C (113.9 °F) on 4 January 2017 and 11 February 2017 to −3.9 °C (25.0 °F) on 18 July 1970. [8]

Climate data for Williamtown RAAF ( 32°47′S151°50′E / 32.79°S 151.84°E / -32.79; 151.84 , 8 m AMSL) (1942-2024 normals & extremes)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)45.5
(113.9)
45.5
(113.9)
40.7
(105.3)
37.0
(98.6)
29.6
(85.3)
26.6
(79.9)
27.8
(82.0)
30.5
(86.9)
36.4
(97.5)
39.4
(102.9)
43.2
(109.8)
43.7
(110.7)
45.5
(113.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)28.3
(82.9)
27.7
(81.9)
26.4
(79.5)
23.8
(74.8)
20.4
(68.7)
17.7
(63.9)
17.2
(63.0)
18.8
(65.8)
21.5
(70.7)
23.8
(74.8)
25.6
(78.1)
27.4
(81.3)
23.2
(73.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)18.2
(64.8)
18.2
(64.8)
16.5
(61.7)
13.3
(55.9)
10.1
(50.2)
8.0
(46.4)
6.5
(43.7)
6.9
(44.4)
9.2
(48.6)
12.0
(53.6)
14.5
(58.1)
16.6
(61.9)
12.5
(54.5)
Record low °C (°F)9.4
(48.9)
9.6
(49.3)
8.6
(47.5)
2.1
(35.8)
−0.6
(30.9)
−1.8
(28.8)
−3.9
(25.0)
−1.9
(28.6)
0.4
(32.7)
3.0
(37.4)
5.1
(41.2)
7.9
(46.2)
−3.9
(25.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)98.4
(3.87)
118.7
(4.67)
126.9
(5.00)
110.7
(4.36)
110.8
(4.36)
122.1
(4.81)
75.4
(2.97)
71.5
(2.81)
60.1
(2.37)
75.9
(2.99)
82.7
(3.26)
76.8
(3.02)
1,129
(44.45)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)7.27.58.57.67.78.36.56.15.77.37.27.086.6
Average afternoon relative humidity (%)59626159606055505054555657
Average dew point °C (°F)17.0
(62.6)
17.6
(63.7)
16.2
(61.2)
13.3
(55.9)
10.6
(51.1)
8.4
(47.1)
6.3
(43.3)
6.2
(43.2)
8.2
(46.8)
10.8
(51.4)
13.1
(55.6)
15.2
(59.4)
11.9
(53.4)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 229.4203.4217.0207.0189.1168.0198.4232.5231.0235.6228.0238.72,578.1
Percent possible sunshine 53545761585663686559555459
Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1942-2024 normals & extremes) [5]

Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 885 people in Williamtown. 70.9% of people were born in Australia and 80.7% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion was Anglican at 22.8%. [1]

Tomago sandbeds

Most of Williamtown sits atop the Tomago sandbeds (an aquifer that is a critical source of water for the lower Hunter Region). The sandbeds are replenished primarily by rain as well as any water that leaks from Grahamstown Dam in nearby Ferodale. Water from the sandbeds and the dam is treated in Tomago. [9]

Notes

  1. Average elevation of the suburb as shown on 1:100000 map 9232 NEWCASTLE.
  2. Area calculation is based on 1:100000 map 9232 NEWCASTLE.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stockton, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Stockton is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located 600 m (0.4 mi) from Newcastle's central business district. It is the only residential suburb of the City of Newcastle that lies north of the Hunter River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAAF Base Williamtown</span> Royal Australian Air Force base in New South Wales

RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base located 8 nautical miles north of Newcastle in the local government area of Port Stephens, in New South Wales, Australia. The base serves as the headquarters to both the Air Combat Group and the Surveillance and Response Group of the RAAF. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport. The nearest towns are Raymond Terrace, located 8 km (5 mi) west of the base and Medowie, 6.8 km (4.2 mi), north of the base, which is home to many of the base's staff.

Medowie is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 34 km (21 mi) by road north of Newcastle, not far from RAAF Base Williamtown and is home to many of the personnel stationed there. The Worimi people are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond Terrace</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Raymond Terrace, locally known as "The Terrace”, is a town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about 26 km (16 mi) by road north of Newcastle on the Pacific Highway. Established in 1837 it is situated at the confluence of the Hunter and Williams rivers. The town was named after Lieutenant Raymond, who had explored the Hunter River in 1797 and described the terraced appearance of trees in the area. Governor Lachlan Macquarie camped in the area in 1818, using "Raymond's Terrace" as the name for the place where his party had camped.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Stephens Council</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Port Stephens Council is a local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The area is just north of Newcastle and is adjacent to the Pacific Highway which runs through Raymond Terrace, the largest town and Council seat. The area is named after Port Stephens, which is the major geographical feature of the area. It extends generally from the Hunter River in the south, to near Clarence Town in the north, and from the Tasman Sea in the east, to just south of Paterson in the west. The mayor of Port Stephens Council is Ryan Palmer. Palmer was caught in a major scandal in 2022 following the purchase of an $86,000 Ford Ranger for mayoral and personal use. Port Stephens is about two and a half hours north of Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodville, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Woodville is a rural suburb in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia that is shared between the Port Stephens and Maitland local government areas (LGA). Most of the suburb lies to the east of the Paterson River in the Port Stephens LGA while a small area of approximately 1.3 square kilometres (0.5 sq mi), to the west of the Paterson, is within the boundaries of the Maitland LGA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodberry, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Woodberry is one of the easternmost suburbs of the City of Maitland in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. At the 2011 census, Woodberry's population was 3,155. Most of the population lives in residential subdivisions while almost 84% of the suburb's land is rural in nature. Rental accommodation is occupied by a third of the residents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salt Ash, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Salt Ash is a rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government areas in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay but is largely undeveloped, partly because it is the location of the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range which is used by pilots from RAAF Base Williamtown for training purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobs Farm</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Bobs Farm is a sparsely populated rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay and is home to a number of small, boutique style vineyards and wineries and a thriving aquaculture industry. Bobs Farm Public School on Marsh Road is a co-educational government primary school which was established in 1918.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomago</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Tomago is a combined industrial/semi-rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located just north of the Hunter River and west of the body of water known as Fullerton Cove. Tomago means "sweet water" in the local Aboriginal language. In 2016 277 lived in Tomago with a median age of 55, 72.7% born in Australia and 80.4% only speaking English at home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fullerton Cove</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Fullerton Cove is a rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, located just north of Fern Bay and adjacent to Fullerton Cove, from which the suburb gets its name. The Worimi people are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area. At the 2021 Australian census the population of Fullerton Cove was 745.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fern Bay, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Fern Bay is the southernmost suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located just north of Stockton, which is the only suburb of Newcastle that lies north of the Hunter River and to the east of the north arm of the Hunter River at the entrance to Fullerton Cove, a large body of water. To the east is the Tasman Sea. Despite the suburb only being 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) in a direct line from Newcastle, the need to cross the Hunter River results in Fern Bay being 16 km (9.9 mi) by road from the centre of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanilba Bay, New South Wales</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Tanilba Bay is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the Tilligerry Peninsula adjacent to the bay from which it got its name. "Tanilba" is said to mean "place of white flowers" in a local Indigenous language, presumably a reference to the flannel flowers which formerly thrived in the area. At the 2021 census Tanilba Bay had a population of 3,237. Tanilba Bay Public School is a co-ed government primary school located at 1A King Albert Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mallabula, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Mallabula is a primarily residential suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the Tilligerry Peninsula between Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay. The origin of the name may mean "three swamps" in the local Aboriginal language.

Osterley is a small rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Most of the small population lives in the elevated part of the suburb along Hinton Road, east of Barties Creek which is a tributary of the Hunter River. The area to the west of Barties creek is low-lying and subject to periodic flooding. .In 2016 117 people live there with a median age of 46.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelsons Plains, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Nelsons Plains is a primarily rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Seaham Road between the Hunter and Williams rivers. At the 2016 census the suburb had a population of 362.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Seaham</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

East Seaham is a primarily rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the east bank of the Williams River, opposite Glen Oak and Seaham. At the 2011 census, the population of East Seaham and the adjacent suburb of Balickera was 359, with the two suburbs having an average population density of 5.5/km2 (14/sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heatherbrae, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Heatherbrae is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The suburb lies to the east of the Hunter River and to the south of the town of Raymond Terrace. It is bisected by the Pacific Highway. At the 2016 census it had a population of 512. Most of the population lives to the west of the Pacific Highway in a housing subdivision while some residents live to the east of the highway in a semi-industrial area. Remaining residents live in rural and semi-rural areas adjacent to the highway and throughout the rest of the suburb. The Worimi people are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area. In 2016 the median age of the population was 54. 80% were born in Australia, 2.6% New Zealand, 2.2% Pakistan, 2.0% England, 1% Germany and 0.8% China. In terms of religion, 26.1% were Anglican, 21.4% No Religion, 19.0% Catholic, 12.0% Not Stated and 4.5% Uniting Church. In terms of languages spoken other than English, 2.2% speak Urdu, 0.8% Tagalog, 0.6% Italian, 0.6% Serbo-Croatian/Yugoslavian and 0.6% Bengali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campvale, New South Wales</span> Suburb in New South Wales, Australia

Campvale is a sparsely populated rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia.

Ferodale is a sparsely populated rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. A large portion of the suburb is occupied by Grahamstown Dam, the lower Hunter Region's main water storage reservoir.

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Williamtown (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 July 2018. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. 1 2 3 "Suburb Search - Local Council Boundaries - Hunter (HT) - Port Stephens". New South Wales Division of Local Government . Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Williamtown". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales . Retrieved 16 June 2008. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  4. "Port Stephens". New South Wales Electoral Commission . Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Williamtown RAAF Climate Statistics (1942-2024)". Bureau of Meteorology . Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  6. "Williamtown". Australian Explorer. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  7. "Williamtown". Land and Property Management Authority - Spatial Information eXchange. New South Wales Land and Property Information . Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  8. "Williamtown RAAF Climate (1942-2024)". FarmOnline Weather. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  9. "Tomagos & Anna Bay Sandbeds". Hunter Water . Retrieved 16 June 2008.