Take the self-guided history walk and discover building, places and stories of the past.
Coramba is 15 km from Coffs Harbour and one of the earliest settlements on the Coffs Coast. The original Aboriginal inhabitants were the Bagawa people whose territory covered the Orara Valley, Moonee and Coffs Harbour.
Timber-getters arrived in the 1850s looking for cedar or ‘red gold’ of which the area had a plentiful supply. They were instrumental in building roads, clearing land and opening up the dense forests(and fertile farming districts) to settlers. The rich soils were ideal for dairy farming and, in addition, in 1881 gold was discovered, prompting the creation of Coramba as the permanent location for a police constable and a mining warden’s office.
In 1906 a new local government area was formed called the Dorrigo Shire. As the geographical centre, Coramba became its headquarters for a time, with council chambers built in 1914. The next major boost to the local economy came with the arrival of the railway in 1922. Following WWII, however, the timber and dairying industries declined along with the growth of the town.
Today Coramba remains a quiet, residential village surrounded by small farms and has retained much of its historic charm and character.
NOTE: the Coramba Village Heritage Walk is 4 km long and takes approximately 1 1/2 hours to complete. The walk involves some hilly terrain. Those not able to negotiate hills are advised not to attempt the walk.
