NAMBUCCA HEADS Nambucca Heads (i must visit this place) is a very popular resort town on the northern coast of NSW. There are other popular spots nearby, most notably the Valla Beach resorts. Nambucca Heads has many other great attributes; not the least the beaches, estuaries, waterways and rocky outcrops. The traveller will be sorely tempted to stay multiple days. The place name is derived from an aboriginal word meaning 'entrance to the waters'. Europeans may have explored the area in 1818, and John Oxley surveyed the area in 1820. The cutting of the red cedar had started in the area by 1842. It is believed that the first house was built in 1867, when about 50 people had settled in the valley to cut cedar or raise crops. The site of the town was surveyed in 1874 and the first hotel and school were both established in 1884. It was proclaimed a village in 1885. Nambucca also has one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in Australia and also invented junior surf lifesaving known as Nippers. All visitors to the town should take the time to study the ceramic seating and wall at the Police Station. The wall cannot be missed but the many messages might. The Hotels in Nambucca Heads are well spread. The Golden Sands in town and the Ocean View at seaside. All of the congregational churches are in town. The Catholic Church having a great down town central profile. The War Memorial is near the RSL. The Nambucca Heads Museum is located near the beach area. Nambucca Heads is for the most part a post war town, so do not expect much from a heritage perspective.