A haven rich in timber

Camden Haven first emerged as region renowned for its thriving timber trade. With an abundance of natural resources and a strategic location, the haven became a hub of business and industry, attracting settlers and fostering economic growth.

Great quality timber – and lots of it

Camden Haven's bountiful forests, encompassing a variety of timber species such as cedar, blackbutt, and tallowwood, laid the foundation for its success in the timber trade. The region's dense woodlands provided an ample supply of timber, while the proximity to the Camden Haven River offered a convenient means of transporting logs to mills and shipping points.

More and more sawmills

The first colonists were mainly harvesting timber for shipment to Sydney and other settlements – the timbers they found here were highly prized, and within 50 years were also being shipped to Great Britain and Europe. This industry also led to the construction of several mills along the river, as far west as Kendall, and to the building of ships to carry the cargo.

Other industries boom

The timber trade brought prosperity to Camden Haven and its surrounding areas. The influx of businesses and industry stimulated the local economy, generating income and employment opportunities for residents.

Ship-building was also important for the developing fishing industry. Fish were caught in the inlet and out in the open sea, and shipped to the markets in Sydney.* Fishing, and particularly oyster-farming, are still important to the local economy today.

Other settlers in the valley ran dairy farms, producing milk and butter for local use and to be shipped to the Sydney markets. They also grew vegetables and fruit – trying different types such as pineapples, bananas, and also stone fruits.

Settlement of the region

While not the only thriving industry in Camden Haven, the timber trade played a pivotal role in attracting settlers to Camden Haven, right up to the present day.