Embrace the serene beauty of the historic fishing town of Karuah, with its rich blend of history, pristine wilderness, tranquil waters, National Parks and native wildlife. From playful dolphins to the majestic eagles that soar above the river, Karuah offers a sanctuary for both residents and visitors alike.
Located at the mouth of the Karuah River, Karuah enjoys is own private entrance to Port Stephens Bay, and is an easy boat ride to Nelson Bay or any of the townships surrounding Port Stephens and the Myall Lakes.
Karuah’s position on the Pacific Highway and its proximity to the Newcastle Airport make it a perfect, affordable launching pad to explore the wonders of Port Stephens, Myall Lakes, Mid Coast, Barrington Tops, Newcastle, the Hunter region and the world-famous Hunter Valley wine producing area.
Karuah is not just a place to live; it’s a community where bonds are forged, and dreams are realised. Karuah is evolving into a modern hub while preserving its unique character and charm. Every moment is infused with the magic of connection – to the land, the river and each other.
Join us as we embark on this journey into the future together.
The Karuah Bridge was built in 1957 to replace the original punt ferry crossing and connect the north to the south. Karuah’s earliest industries were fishing, oyster farming and timber-getting and became a critical stop for travellers along the developing Pacific Highway.
Karuah was first surveyed in 1795 and is close to the historical towns of Swan Bay, North Arm Cove, The Branch and Carrington.
The historic fishing town is deeply connected to its Aboriginal heritage, the Worimi People, who have nurtured this land for millennia. The historic Karuah Mission (established in 1884) and the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council (established in 1983) continue to reinforce this connection to land and culture, ensuring the uninterrupted connection from the past, through the present, and well into the future.
Find the Karuah News, articles, and local updates on our blog. Stay connected to your community by keeping up with the latest local news. Subscribe to the Karuah News by entering your name and email address below. You will receive the Karuah News monthly directly to your inbox.
Join our community today!
Karuah loves events and wants to hear about yours! Share your event with us, and we’ll promote it to the community and beyond. We welcome markets, live music, cultural festivals, outdoor adventures, and more.
Let’s spread the word and attract the crowds!
We respectfully acknowledge the Worimi as the Custodians of the land, waters and seas on which we stand and sit. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging (and are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships and their rich contribution to society).
The Karuah Town Logo is the result of an initiative by Karuah Progress Association (KPA) who were successful in a grant from Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) for development of this website and a Karuah Logo.
The community were asked to submit designs for voting. 27 submissions were received from the local community including Karuah Primary School children. Local Year 4 student, Leiana Manton, garnered 734 votes, significantly more than the runner-up. Leiana’s design holds significant meaning to her and the Worimi people:
“The bridge connects the town, north to south.
The oyster represents the many oyster farmers of Karuah. My dad, Joshua Manton, is a 4th generation oyster farmer and has been working in the oyster industry for 26 years, my grandfather is Ross Manton, and my great grandfather is Phillip Manton. I am a proud descendant of the Worimi people.
This logo is made to be inclusive to all people of Karuah. In keeping it inclusive, I’ve also used an Aboriginal symbol, which is a meeting place, used to symbolize Karuah as a meeting place for all.”
Karuah Progress Association Inc. engaged Meg Bartley of Artley Designs, to professionally refine the design so it could be used across various platforms ie merchandising, signage, website etc. The Primary Design will be based on Leiana’s concept but was modified for simplicity.
This collaborative effort underscores the community’s creative spirit and commitment to celebrating Karuah’s unique identity.
Written with permission from Pearl and Leiana Manton
