Discover your undiscovered in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Region Written by Kimberley Pickrell for Visit Queanbeyan-Palerang Located in the picturesque tablelands various areas of the region, centring their depression 1850s, saw the development between the NSW South Coast, Snowy lives on intimate cultural relationships with of the Wool Road between the region and Mountains and the Southern Highlands, the land and its provisions. the coast to ease the overland journey Queanbeyan-Palerang is an area for producers. The new route reduced unrivalled in the natural beauty of majestic The 1820s saw the first European explorers the cost of their product reaching market, farmland, lush and wild national parks and arrive in the region, largely attracted by opening up the option of joining the early colonial heritage. the profits Of sheep grazing, a pursuit well shipping lanes into Sydney. suited to large land parcels and cooler Travellers may be forgiven for having climates. The influx of settlers sweeping Gold fever overwhelmed the region after unwittingly passed Queanbeyan-Palerang across the region saw Braidwood small traces were found in Queanbeyan, In the 1870s, copper was struck at In 2017, the townsfolk of Braidwood held and the amazing freshness and vivacity of on route to other destinations; the proclaimed a town in 1833, Bungendore in leading to larger mines being established Foxlow Station in Captains Flat. The a re-enactment of the Clarke Brothers' the regional produce - served up into fine region has remained a well-kept secret, 1837 and Queanbeyan in 1838. south of Braidwood, in Araluen and Majors Flat,' as it is now affectionately known, deadly showdown with police in 1867. local cuisine. maintaining an aura of mystery that few Creek. Thousands of new arrivals from was rumoured to be named after a white The commemoration, 150 years after the have uncovered. Today, each township is home to well- China, Ireland and elsewhere arrived, hoping bullock called Captain, who would slip event, was a means of acknowledging As an enchanting country town, steeped maintained heritage buildings that uniquely to strike it rich. From here, the region's rich away from the station to graze along the the era and the 'system of the times that in colonial history and rural Australian However, the secret is now out and reflect the era of their birth. multicultural future was assured. banks of the Molonglo River. worked against poor rural families'. heritage, the township of Braidwood Queanbeyan-Palerang is quickly emerging A new economic imperative in the post- has been around since its location was as a destination of superior offerings. The mines at Captains Flat still stand Chronicling this rich history of the region selected in 1833. After settlers arrived in For the discerning . today, visible to travellers from a viewing are the Braidwood and Queanbeyan the early 1820s, the Government selected traveller, the countryside platform with spectacular, panoramic Museums. a parcel of land including a large section is unspoilt with stunning • views across the township. of 'Braidwood Farm,' a piece of land farmland and national Braidwood Museum - 186 Wallace granted to the town's most important parks playing host to a The region's romantic history of struggle Street, Braidwood - open Friday to settler, Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson. multitude of activities and and hard times would not be complete Sunday 11 am to 2pm. fine produce, steeped without some ruthless bushrangers. The government resumed a section of in Australia's rich rural Settlers were terrorised and murdered, Queanbeyan Museum -10 Farrer Place, Wilson's property and consequently heritage. their settlements pillaged and ransacked. Queanbeyan - open Saturday to Sunday named the town after the farm. The lpm to 4pm historic farm, renamed Mona Farm, exists A Rich Heritage Some of these bushrangers remain today under new ownership as a luxurious household names today. Ben Hall, Following this rich heritage, the region is Estate with heritage accommodation There is a little place responsible for Australia's biggest gold maturing into a contemporary modern nestled amidst English gardens and inside everyone where robbery, rode the area in 1965. The brutal tourist mecca, rich with culture that farmland. Mona farm is part of the living exhilaration arises from Clarke Brothers, whose crimes 'were celebrates its past, present and future. history that still thrives in Braidwood today. an appreciation of our so shocking that they never made their history and Queanbeyan- way into bushranger folklore — people Braidwood today The first town listed on the NSW state Palerang has a complex: just wanted to forget about them,' heritage register in 2007, Braidwood is inspiring past. The outmatched the likes of Ned Kelly and Travellers are drawn to Braidwood to a vivid, bustling example of a historical Ngarigo, Gundungurra, Capt Thunderbolt with their crimes. uncover the dramatic national parks, Ngunnawal and Yuin historic homesteads, boutique shopping people originally inhabited Continued on next page » 2 Re-enactment to look back at capture of Australia's deadliest bushrangers at Braidwood - Bill Brown 10 April 2017 - https://wviNv.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-10/anniversary-of- Regions were determined using the watershed basis as a template. https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/aiatsis-map-indigenous-australia clarke-bushrangers-capture/8431500 3 lbid 42 Summer 18/19 The Volunteer FireFighter The Volunteer FireFighter Summer 18/19 43 streetscape where the original buildings visitors will arrive in the beautiful village of check out the Bungendore Woodworks in 1972, with a population of over 15,000, If a farm experience is more of interest, the Bridge and the heritage-listed London are still open to the public and original Bungendore. The town and the nearby Gallery to pick up something unique on Queanbeyan was proclaimed a city. It is area is proud to boast eight cool climate Bridge Homestead. settlers' cottages dot the lanes and Lake George were proposed potential your travels. now one of the fastest growing inland wineries, a cherry orchard and chestnut outlying villages. sites for the new national capital in 1901, cities in NSW. farm. For a fresh, traditionally made cider, For more remote adventures, the region however, despite not being the crowned Queanbeyan there's the opportunity to experience is home to Monga, Deua, Tallaganda, Having gone through a boom in capital location, the town's history, charm The city is home to many art galleries, genuine cider made on either single Budawang and Morton National Parks agriculture, the 1840s Depression and and location are a winning destination for Europeans arrived in 1820, with the first studios and other creative spaces making variety or blended apple. — there is limitless nature to enjoy and the rise and decline of the 1850s Gold tourists and locals. use of land a property named 'Quinbean'; Queanbeyan a great spot to stop and explore. Visitors can choose from bike Rush, Braidwood's prosperity increased, an Aboriginal word for 'clear water'. While visit. As the central hub of business to If caring for injured and orphaned wildlife is riding in Tallaganda, exploring the Corn leading to the establishment of fine period Initially the town was a collection of large searching for the Murrumbidgee River, the region, Queanbeyan is expected to on the bucket list, visitors can experience Trail on horseback in Monga, or hiking to buildings, which, like Mona Farm, still sheep and cattle stations but the arrival of Joseph Wild, James Vaughan and Charles , undergo dramatic changes in the future. a stay at Tiandi Wildlife Sanctuary, or Pigeon House Mountain from Wog Wog remain today. rail in 1885 saw rapid growth resulting in Throsby Smith came across the present take part in a farming experience at Campground. the building of churches, schools, a post location of Queanbeyan. one of the region's numerous farmstays To bring the town's heritage into the office and court house. where visitors can experience life on a One of the region's most spectacular present, the people of Braidwood have They were the first non-indigenous Engaging experiences and real people; working farm and enjoy the delicacies of natural phenomena, the monumental Big delicately restored the precious 19th The first explorer passed through persons to see the present location of Queanbeyan-Palerang offers visitors the consuming fresh, local produce. Hole in Deua National Park, is a moderate century buildings and introduced new Bungendore in 1824, with a steady influx Queanbeyan when they discovered the opportunity to experience local life, by hike from the parking lot and a delight for businesses and reinvigorated the town's of settlers to the area as the years past. junction of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan helping with the daily tasks on a farmstay, The Great Outdoors photographers and nature-enthusiasts. traditional businesses to provide a wide By 1837, with the introduction of the Rivers on December 8, 1820. walking the vineyard and chatting to For those less mobile, the wheelchair- range of products and services that mail service, Bungendore was declared winemakers, taking part in a truffle hunt or For visitors dreaming of escaping to friendly Penance Grove walking track in embrace and honour the town's heritage. a town and continues to be a relocation Proclaimed as a settlement in 1838, picking your own chestnuts or Christmas little-known national parks or unending Monga National Park is an accessible, destination for many sea changers, with this tiny township grew and became the cherries, getting hands on with a cooking rolling countryside, the region is a must- easy way to discover rainforests and The town has become home to hobby many of the original farms still operating epicentre of a thriving primary producing class or learning a few tricks of the trade see destination.