Woodford Island
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_1886.png) Map of the Clarence River showing Woodford Island in 1886 | |
  Woodford Island Location in New South Wales | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°31′S 153°08′E / 29.517°S 153.133°E |
| Administration | |
| state | New South Wales |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| • Summer (DST) | |
Woodford Island is the largest island in the lower reaches of the Clarence River[1] in the Far-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is formed by the Clarence River where it splits into the South Arm and North Arm at the small village of Brushgrove then reforms at the town of Maclean. The island is the largest in NSW, either inland or offshore, at 37 km2.
There are three ways on and off the island, two bridges; at the southern end is the Wingfield Bridge in Brushgrove, which crosses to Cowper, and the McFarlane Bridge at the northern end, that gives access to Maclean.
There is a ferry that connects Lawrence to Woodford Dale, being the western side of the island.
Economy
Woodford Island is mostly flood plain which supports the primary industries of sugar cane and milk producing cattle. A small fishing fleet plies the Clarence River. There are a few small businesses, however, most residents travel off the island to Maclean or Grafton for goods and services.
People and geography
There are approximately 300 people living on the island. Through its almost exact centre is a mountain ridge. The rest is plains which are subjected to periodic flooding. The largest town is Brushgrove at the south of the island. It holds major aboriginal significance in the area and the aboriginal village of Ilarwill.
