The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Woolgoolga. PIC: Ross Robinson
For many years, the imposing Guru Nanak Sikh Temple at Woolgoolga was one of the more startling sights for grey nomads heading north up the Pacific Highway.
The white structure routinely had travellers reaching for their guide books to discover what it was, why it was there and, more importantly, had many turning off to discover more about this beautiful and fascinating town on the New South Wales mid north coast.
Today, the recently upgraded highway means Woolgoolga has been bypassed and most travellers are denied the pleasurable ‘shock’ of seeing the temple rising up, seemingly at odds with everything they expect to see in this part of the world. But the temple is still there in all its glory, and the town itself is just as beautiful and as interesting as ever. It may be that Woolgoolga – or Woopi as it is known locally – is out of sight for highway travellers, but it certainly shouldn’t be out of mind. The temple is there because Woolgoolga has the largest Sikh/Punjabi population in regional Australia.
While many Sikhs originally came to New South Wales at the turn of the century, they were drawn in numbers to Woolgoolga when wartime labour shortages meant there was work on the banana plantations. It all adds an interesting cultural diversity to what would otherwise be a classic Australian coastal village with a population of 5,000 or so lucky people. Nowhere is this diversity celebrated more joyously than at the Curryfest event which draws thousands to the town for cultural performances and spicy food every Easter.
The beach here is stunning and the panoramic views from the headland are as memorable as just about anywhere in Australia, especially if you spot a migrating humpback whale between May and November. While there are national parks and great camping spots nearby, most grey nomads are tempted by the iconic beachside location of the Woolgoolga Beach Holiday Park … if only for a night or two. With the Pacific Ocean on one side of the rig and the town centre with its shops, restaurants and cafes on the other, it would be easy to say that – for grey nomads – life doesn’t get any better than this.
The town’s art gallery is well worth a look and the Returned Services Club boasts a much loved Defence Force Museum which is enjoyed and appreciated by visitors. Woolgoolga is about 25 kms north of Coffs Harbour and the entire region is renowned both for its near perfect climate and its magnificent scenery. There’s a lovely walk to take along Woolgoolga Creek, and it’s well worth taking short trips out to the Sherwood Nature Reserve, the Woolgoolga Floral Reserve, and Wedding Bells State Forest.
A little to the north is the massive Yuraygir National Park which boasts some stunning camping locations, as well as superb rocky headlands, beaches, lakes, forests and wetlands. Woolgoolga is another fascinating, beautiful and truly unique Australian town that will surprise and delight.
