Balnarring Beach was part of the Colourt (Coolart) run.
Much of this run was released for selection with certain areas being
retained by the Crown for specific purposes. Early maps show a planned township
on the coast.The beach area was public reserve and a “Water Reserve” is marked
at a point where there is a spring in the creek. It is said that settlers
brought barrels to the spring to fill them with fresh water.
Balnarring Beach first appears as a gazetted town but few lots were
initially taken up. A few shacks were put up but tents were commonly used on
these blocks.
1910s
The beach first began to attract holidaymakers,
and beach stores and kiosks commenced operations, serving both day-trippers and campers.
1918
Towards the end of World War I the
Balnarring Progress Association organised, with the Red Cross, a picnic for repatriated soldiers. The foreshore area was
also a popular place for camping. The Balnarring Progress Association had been increasingly alarmed at the destruction of
trees along the foreshore and the lack of sanitary arrangements for some years and in 1914, formed a committee which would
evolve into the Balnarring Beach Foreshore Committee. By 1919 it was reported that over 200 campers had come from ‘all
over the metropolis”. A permanent reserve and separate camping grounds were defined over the following years
1920s
The sale of
lots was again promoted with the ‘Tulum Township subdivision offering 72 blocks for £3 deposit, £1 per month’.
The houses that were erected were simple holiday homes. Some of these buildings were leased out as holiday places. Very
few were solid constructions of brick or cement block. One exception was Yamba in Foreshore Road which was built in 1924
and was let out. Another was the home built by Dr O. S. Woods in 1926. A veterinarian, he had bought the grazing property
that covered the area behind Balnarring Beach back to Balnarring. He built his homestead plus an adjoining cottage on the
hill overlooking the bay close to Palmers Bluff.
Since the earliest days when the beach was made
accessible to the public, Balnarring’s beach had been a popular recreation spot. Many local families enjoyed a break
by the sea and many groups from the growing Balnarring community held an annual beach picnic. Others came greater distances.
1924
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Club set up base here after their formation
1939-1944
During World War II, businesses were sustained by servicemen
training at Somers.
1944, A mobile library
operated from a private home for the Flinders Shire by Wally Turner.
1947. On July 1 Balnarring Beach Post Office opened and closed in 1978.
1960. The yacht club was given permission to erect a winch and slipway
and build a clubhouse.
Since the earliest days when the beach was made accessible to the public,
Balnarring’s beach had been a popular recreation spot. Many local families
enjoyed a break by the sea and many groups from the growing Balnarring community
held an annual beach picnic. Others came greater distances.
