Brisbane Water

For the water utility in the city of Brisbane, see Brisbane Water (utility).

Brisbane Water

Brisbane Water is the northern arm of Broken Bay on the east coast of New South Wales Australia. Brisbane Water is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales between 1820 and 1825. The towns of Gosford, Davistown, Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach line the shores of Brisbane Water, which also contains several islands including St Huberts Island.

History

Brisbane Water is part of the traditional lands of the Guringai Aboriginal people. Initial English explorers of the area were assisted by "King Bungary," leader of the Broken Bay Guringai tribe who went on to assist Matthew Flinders in the circumnavigation of Australia.^{[citation needed]}

Twentieth century European settlement led to the development of an extensive local ferry network, including one supplying an otherwise isolated orphanage, a commuter service from Gosford to Woy Woy and a third operation dedicated to carrying farm produce. The last commuter ferries between Brisbane Water townships ceased in 1971.

Environment

Brisbane Water is mostly shallow and tidal. The inlet narrows at "The Rip" which has a rapid tidal current. The waterways are renowned for their rich aquatic life; sea weeds, mangroves, oysters, sharks and rays, as well as good populations of fish are present in the waters.^{[citation needed]}

Some 2277 ha of Brisbane Water is classified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area because it has an isolated population of up to 10 breeding pairs of Bush Stone-curlews and sometimes supports flocks of the endangered Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot during autumn and winter, when the Swamp Mahogany trees are in flower.