Gerringong

Postcode: 2534

Gerringong is a town about 10 minutes south of Kiama in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia in the Municipality of Kiama. One theory says that the name derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "Fearful". Supposedly great fear was caused to tribes there by the sight of Captain Cook's ship in full sail. There are other theories as to the meaning of the name.

The first European settlers were red cedar cutters, who were first recorded as having visited and logged in the area in 1814. As in much of coastal New South Wales, the cleared land was used for dairy farming and cedar-cutting died out, as the cedar trees disappeared. Dairy farming became the predominant primary industry, and remains so to this day. Gerringong had a small boat harbour used for the export of cedar and dairy produce.

In 1854, a town plan for Gerringong was approved and the Governor proclaimed it a village. In 1872 the business area, Church of England church and some houses were destroyed by a bush fire. In 1893 the South Coast railway line was extended to Gerringong, leading to the end of shipping from the town. Telephone services were extended to Gerringong in 1913 and electricity in 1928.

The population of Gerringong and the area is around 4,000 people and growing. Many are retirees from Sydney and Canberra, others enjoy the seaside lifestyle but commute to work in Wollongong or Nowra and even Sydney. The main local industries are agriculture (including dairying and vineyards), tourism and retail trade.

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