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Gundaroo

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Overview

Gundaroo is a small village in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia and in Yass Valley Council. It is situated to the east of the Yass River, about 16 kilometres (10 mi) north of Sutton, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of the Lake George range. At the 2021 census, Gundaroo "state suburb" (including surrounding areas) had a population of 1,233. At the 2006 census, its "urban centre/locality" had a population of 331.

Facts

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia522 words

WBP editorial3

A daytrip from Canberra with a rural flavour

Set out from the capital early and you’ll find Gundaroo a comfortable 45‑minute drive away, yet it feels a world apart. The main street is lined with heritage timber shops that have been repurposed into galleries, boutique cafés and a community‑run market that showcases local produce – from cold‑pressed olive oil to artisanal cheeses made on nearby farms. Because the town sits on gentle rises overlooking the Yass River, a short walk after lunch offers rewarding views of the rolling tablelands, especially when the mist lifts off the river in autumn. The pace slows, the traffic thins, and you can linger over a flat white while locals discuss the latest agricultural show, giving you a glimpse of life beyond the city’s bustle.

Seasonal rhythms you won’t find in guidebooks

Gundaroo’s agricultural calendar dictates its charm. In spring, the surrounding paddocks burst with wild daisies and the scent of blossoming eucalypts, while farmers begin the shearing season, a spectacle that quietly unfolds on the outskirts and can be witnessed from the road. Summer brings the annual community fair, a low‑key gathering where vintage tractors line the streets and local musicians play folk tunes under string lights. Autumn is the harvest period; the Yass River swells with runoff, creating ideal conditions for birdwatchers keen on spotting black swans. Winter, though cooler, offers crisp evenings perfect for stargazing on the clear Southern Tablelands sky, an experience far removed from the light‑polluted suburbs.

What guidebooks miss: the craft of stone and timber

Beyond the pleasant storefronts, Gundthorn’s understated architectural heritage is worth a second look. Early settlers sourced local sandstone and timber, resulting in a built‑environment where stone cottages sit beside weathered barns, each bearing the subtle imprint of hand‑cut blocks. A few kilometres out, you can spot the remnants of an old quarry that supplied material for regional churches, now a favourite spot for photographers who appreciate the juxtaposition of natural rock faces against the tidy rows of farm fences. Visiting these sites with a guide from the Gundaroo Historical Society adds context: you’ll learn how the community repurposed stone during the 19th‑century gold rush, turning surplus material into sturdy grain storage, a practice that subtly shaped the town’s resilient character.

Introduction

Town in New South Wales, AustraliaTown in New South Wales, AustraliaGundarooTownMain street of GundarooGundarooCoordinates: 35°02′0″S 149°17′0″E / 35.03333°S 149.28333°E / -35.03333; 149.28333CountryAustraliaStateNew South WalesLGAYass Valley CouncilLocation 272 km (169 mi) SW of Sydney 39 km (24 mi) N of Canberra 29 km (18 mi) S of Gunning 77 km (48 mi) SW of Goulburn Established1830sGovernment • State electorateGoulburn • Federal divisionRiverinaElevation579 m (1,900 ft)Population • Total1,233 (2021 census)Postcode2620CountyMurrayParishGundaroo Localities around Gundaroo Yass River Bellmount Forest Collector Nanima Gundaroo Lake George Springrange Sutton Bywong Gundaroo is a small village in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia and in Yass Valley Council. It is situated to the east of the Yass River, about 16 kilometres (10 mi) north of Sutton, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of the Lake George range. At the 2021 census, Gundaroo "state suburb" (including surrounding areas) had a population of 1,233. At the 2006 census, its "urban centre/locality" had a population of 331.

History

[edit] The area now known as Gundaroo lies close to the boundaries of the traditional lands of the Gandangara and Ngunawal peoples. The Gandangara and Ngunawal peoples spoke closely related, if not identical, languages. The explorers Charles Throsby and Joseph Wild traveled through the Yass River valley in 1820. The Aboriginal people called the valley Candariro, meaning "blue crane". This name may have been the origin of Gundaroo, or it may mean "big waterhole". Governor Lachlan Macquarie granted the first white settler, Peter Cooney, 30 acres (12 ha) in 1825. Settlement proceeded fairly quickly and there were about 400 residents in the 1840s. The first non-residential building in Gundaroo was the Harrow Inn, built in 1834. The plan of the town made by James Larmer was gazetted in 1847. A post office was built in 1848 and an Anglican church, St Luke's in Upper Gundaroo (now part of a pottery business), in 1849. The first school opened in 1850 and a police station in 1852. A major impetus for the growth in the middle of the nineteenth century was the discovery of gold in the district in 1852. There was another short-lived phase of reef gold mining in the district in the 1890s. Gundaroo was one of the sites considered for a capital city, within the 'Yass-Canberra' district. However, following a survey of the various sites, by Charles Scrivener, in 1909, Canberra was selected as the site for the new national capital city. World War II air crash[edit] On 7 December 1943, a RAAF Lockheed Ventura crashed three miles south-east of Gundaroo, killing all five crew members. A memorial to the victims was erected in the town.

Notable people

[edit] Lawrie Willett, former senior Australian public servant and university Chancellor. William Affleck (1836–1923), a Scottish-born Australian politician. John Forrester-Clack, an Australian artist Jack Clemenger (1899–1964), an Australian tennis player Charles Elliott (1870-1938), an Australian politician Les Haylen (1898–1977), an Australian politician, playwright, novelist and journalist Maud Jeffries (1869–1946), an American actress Dick Smith (born 1944), an Australian entrepreneur, aviator, philanthropist and political activist