NSWFarming
Kulnura
Named ‘up in the clouds’, it grew on citrus, chickens and tomatoes.
1914Pioneers name the district
WHAT STARTED IT
Settlers took up the high plateau north of Mangrove Mountain for orchards and small farms. In 1914 they chose the name Kulnura, from an Aboriginal word believed to mean ‘up in the clouds’ or ‘in sight of the sea’.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
A post office opened in 1914, a memorial hall in 1922 and a school in its own building in 1928. Citrus became the main industry, followed by chicken farming and ‘Kulnura tomatoes’, and Cottees grew passionfruit here from the 1940s.
TURNING POINTS
1914Kulnura is named and a post office opens.
1922The Memorial Hall opens.
1928Kulnura Public School moves into its own building.
1935An oil company drills on Oil Bore Road without success.
1982Mangrove Creek Dam is completed.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A rural district living on fruit, cattle and commuting to Gosford and Wyong. Mangrove Creek Dam, completed in 1982 within its boundaries, supplies most of the Central Coast’s water.