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Queanbeyan, New South Wales: Travel guide and things to do
Queanbeyan, NSW
Queanbeyan is a city of 28 000 people located on the Queanbeyan River 291 km south-west of Sydney via Tarago and Bungendore and 18 km south-east of the centre of Canberra. It is essentially in NSW although parts of the city sprawl over the ACT border. Queanbeyan is situated at an elevation of 576 m.
Agricultural and pastoral industries are still strong in the area (sheep, cattle, wool, an abattoir, nurseries, honey, wine, hay and barley) while the city has strong building, manufacturing, service, retail, recreation and tourism sectors. Many residents work in nearby Canberra.
Once occupied by the Ngarigu people, the first Europeans in the vicinity were the exploratory party of Charles Throsby. While searching for the Murrumbidgee River in 1820, they found and followed the Queanbeyan River into a valley at the eastern end of the Limestone Plains. This area was to become a natural stopping place for those crossing into the Monaro.
Squatters were moving into the district from 1824. The first person to commence grazing on land near to the present townsite was ex-convict Timothy Beard who had established a property on the Molonglo River called 'Quinbean' (after an Aboriginal word meaning 'clear waters'). Beard was an innkeeper fromCampbelltown and preferred to remain there while three convict stockmen ran his western enterprise. However, he was ordered to quit the property in 1828.
Although a township reserve had been established at Queanbeyan in 1828 nothing much happened until a post office and store were established in 1836 to serve the settlers. A police magistrate was appointed in 1837 and Queanbeyan was officially proclaimed a township in 1838, at which time there were some 50 residents. The first inn opened that year.
As there was no proper accommodation in the new settlement the police magistrate initially established a court at Acton. A residence, known as 'Dodsworth', was built for him on the town's southern boundary in 1839. Adjoining were huts for the court, lock-up and constables' quarters. This collection was known as 'Irish Town' and the court was conducted here until 1853. The first hospital was also built here in 1847.
In 1841 there were three brick and seven timber buildings at Queanbeyan. The first flour mill (wind-driven) opened in the 1840s. Bushrangers such as Jacky Jacky, Ben Hall, Frank Gardiner and John Tennant harried the district from the 1840s to the 1860s.
Gold was found in the area in 1851, by which time the population had increased to 372. Lead and silver were also mined though not with remarkable success. The first bridge was opened in 1858, the first banking agency in 1859 and the town's first newspaper in 1860. The 1861 census revealed 526 residents.
Queanbeyan was declared a municipality in 1885. At that time there were eight hotels, four churches, two flour mills, a tannery and a lemonade factory, as well as dwellings and shops. The railway arrived in 1887 and the population was recorded as 1262 in 1891. Although it stagnated during the 1890s depression, the numbers were on the rise again during the 1910s and 1920s owing to the construction of nearby Canberra. This led to subdivision and closer settlement and stimulated building, employment and business activity. The initial unavailability of alcohol in Canberra was also a boon to Queanbeyan which has continued to prosper due to its proximity to the Federal capital. The population increased by 50 per cent from 1949 to 1958, passing 10 000 in 1963. It became a city in 1972. The Queanbeyan Show is held in November.
Things to see
Tourist Information Centre and Some Historic Items
Queanbeyan Tourist Information Centre is located by the showgrounds at the corner of Farrer Place and Lowe St. It is housed in the former council chambers (1925), tel: (02) 6298 0241 or (toll-free) 1800 026 192. They can furnish a pamphlet outlining a heritage walk of the town's historic buildings. On the front lawn is a sundial dating from 1860 and, to the rear, the showgrounds where the entrance gates, grandstand and shearer's bar are of historical interest. In the centre of Farrer Place is a memorial to James Farrer who, on his property at nearby Tharwa, pioneered the scientific breeding of rust- and disease-resistant wheats. Farrer was commemorated on the old $2 note.
Queanbeyan Museum
Over the road from the information centre is the Queanbeyan Museum which is housed within the old police sergeant's residence (1876). There is a medical exhibit, a machinery shed, a period bedroom, a clothing collection, a kitchenware exhibit and blacksmith's display. It is open, for a small charge, from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Sundays, from September to June, tel: (02) 6297 1978.
Queanbeyan Park
Behind the museum is Queanbeyan Park, which was dedicated in 1893 although exotic trees had been planted here as early as 1870. It retains a few surviving examples of the old cast-iron lamp stands which were once found throughout town. There are barbecues, toilets, sports grounds and a childrens' playground.
Lowe St
At the corner of Lowe St and Farrer Place is one of NSW's earliest Boer War memorials (1903). Head south along Lowe St. At no.72 is The Retreat', a timber cottage built in 1909 for John Gale (the 'Father of Canberra') who did much to promote the site that was eventually chosen for the construction of the national capital. He also founded Queanbeyan's first newspaper, the 'Golden Age' in 1860. Poet John Farrell, who later encouraged a young Henry Lawson, briefly worked on the paper. Next door is 'Fairholme', a cottage built c.1884 in English-bond brickwork.
Isabella St
Turn left into Isabella St. At Isabella and Crawford is Isabella Primary School built as Queanbeyan Public School in 1876-77. On the other side of Crawford St is the former St Benedict's Convent (1880-86). Continue to the end of Isabella St, passing the suspension bridge, and turn left into Collett St.
Christ Church
At Collett and Rutledge is Christ Church. The original Anglican church and rectory were built here in 1843. The present structure dates from 1859-60 although the original stone schoolhouse (1843) remains behind the church. The stables also date from 1843 and the brick schoolhouse from 1865. The main part of the rectory dates from the early 1870s.
Methodist Church
Turn left into Rutledge St. Just past Crawford St, to the left, is the former Methodist (now Uniting) Church, the earliest section of which dates back to 1859.
Crawford St (including Queanbeyan Sporting Gallery)
Back-track to Crawford St and turn left. To the right is St Illia's Macedonian Orthodox Church built as a Protestant hall in 1877 and subsequently a Salvation Army barracks, masonic hall and picture theatre. On the other side of the road, at no.265, is Dutton's Cottage (pre-1885).
At no.253, is the town's second School of Arts building. Although it was built as recently as 1927 the Romanesque architecture is considered unusual and it has been listed with the NSW Heritage Commission. It is now the council chambers building.
To the rear of the council chambers is the Bicentennial Centre. It houses the Queanbeyan Sporting Gallery, photographic and memorabilia exhibition relating to the city's past and present sporting heroes. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekdays and by appointment on weekends, tel: (02) 6298 0290.
Further north, at 208 Crawford St, is The Queanbeyan Age, located on the site of the original post office (1836). The structure next door began as the Queanbeyan Inn in 1853. The building just over Morrisett St, at no.182, was erected as a residence in 1878.
Morrisett St
Return to Morrisett St and turn right. On the left, at no.15, is 'Furlong' (c.1850). The iron lace was taken from the original Royal Hotel when it was demolished in 1926.
At Morrisett and Lowe is St Stephen's Presbyterian (now Uniting) Church (1874). The adjacent manse dates from 1883.
Henderson St (and Steam-Train Rides)
Turn right into Lowe St, right into Antill St then left into Crawford St. At its end, by the Henderson St intersection, are the railway station and stationmaster's residence (1887). The railway line here forms the border with the ACT. Michelago Steam-Train Rides operate from the station on the first Sunday of the month.
Head east along Henderson St. At no.24 is Bull's Cottage, built in the 1880s for the town's second mayor.
Collett St
Follow the road around the corner and turn left into Collett St. To the right, between Erin and Antill Sts, is the hospital. The earliest section (built of stone in 1862) is below more modern additions behind the blood bank.
Further along, at 69 Collett St, is a two-storey cottage of hand-made bricks known as Hibernia Lodge (1865).
Queen Elizabeth Park
At the next intersection duck left down Morrisett St. Queen Elizabeth Park, to the right, was originally the town's market reserve when Queanbeyan was gazetted in 1838. The willows along the riverbank allegedly began as cuttings from Napoleon's grave on St Helena. The town's first police magistrate collapsed and died in the park while playing cricket in 1856. There are barbecues, toilets and a childrens' playground. Art-and-craft and local produce markets are held on the second Sunday of the month (except in January).
Queanbeyan Books and Prints
Return to the corner of Collett and Morrisett Sts where you will find Queanbeyan Books and Prints, a second-hand book emporium located in the old mill house. It was built in 1883 as the residence for Martin Byrne who built the adjacent flour mill, Byrnes Mill, (now a restaurant) in 1883. He was also the licensee of the original Royal Hotel (1850).
Queanbeyan Art Centre Gallery
Continue along Collett St and walk up to Monaro St then turn left across the bridge, following Bungendore Rd. On the other side, turn left into Trinculo Place where you will find the Queanbeyan Art Gallery, located in a cottage built in the early 1880s for the town's leading businessman and political representative John Wright, known as the 'Father of Queanbeyan'. It is open most mornings, tel: (02) 6297 8181.
Macquoid St
Cross over Bungendore Rd, following Trinculo Place south. By the corner with Macquoid St is the town's most notable historic building - 'Ye Olde Kent House', built in 1849-50 as an hotel with an upstairs ballroom and an ornate balcony. Still unlicensed by 1853 it was used as a temporary courthouse with the stone cellars serving as cells. It has since operated as a bank, place of worship, licensed premises, hospital and store, and is now a residence.
At 11-13 Macquoid St is the Dog & Stile Inn, built in the 1840s (now a private residence). At Macquoid and Molonglo is St Gregory's Roman Catholic Church (1849-50 with 1874 additions), the town's oldest surviving church.
Coroda
Walk to the end of Molonglo St, turn left into Booth St then left into Atkinson St. To the right, at no.58, is 'Coroda'. The original section was built of stone c.1861.
Monaro St (including the School of Arts Cafe)
Walk along Atkinson St and turn left into Bungendore Rd which, on the other side of the bridge, becomes Monaro St. The town's first commercial enterprises were established in the allotments to the right.
On the other side of the road, to the rear of Shamrock Lane (at 134 Monaro St) is a currently vacant building. The rear section was originally the Doncaster Inn (1843). Much of the original Beehive Store (no.122) also remains (currently a solicitors' offices).
No.110-112 was erected in 1867. In 1894 it became the School of Arts. The building next door was built in 1909 as the School of Arts billiards and reading room and it is now the School of Arts Cafe, a local dinner-and-theatre/cabaret venue.
The kurrajong tree at Monaro and Crawford celebrates its centenary in 1998. To the left, at no.40, is Walsh's Hotel (1875). No.20 was built in 1861 as the Oddfellow's Hall. It served as the town's first council chambers from 1885-1899. Over the road, at 27-29, is John Bull's store (1876), now Leggett's Real Estate. By the Lowe St corner is the old Temperance Hall (1878), now Autobarn.
The Oaks
One of the town's oldest buildings is 'The Oaks', built as a residence in the 1830s and used as an inn from 1838. It is located in Hill St.
Scenic Lookout
Rex Cross Lookout is in Bicentennial Park. Follow Lanyon Drive which heads south-west out of town off Canberra Drive. After 1 km turn left into Southbar Rd. After 800 m turn left into Tharwa Rd then take the first left into Crest Park Parade. There are fine views of Queanbeyan, Canberra and the surrounding hills, as well as a 4-km walking trail and a childrens' playground near the lookout.
Molonglo Gorge
Molongo Gorge is located on the tranquil banks of the Molonglo River, ten minutes from Queanbeyan via Yass Rd and Sutton Rd. There are picnic-barbecue facilities and a 3-km walking trail, affording some spectacular views, follows the gorge to the Blue Tiles Picnic Area. The latter can also be accessed via a scenic circuit road which then continues along the river to the ruins of 'Glenburn' homestead.
Googong Dam
Googong Dam, 10 km south via Old Cooma Rd, is a popular recreation area which offers sightseeing, excellent fishing, bushwalking, picnicking, canoeing and sailing. There is a visitors' centre near the main entrance gates where you can obtain a map of the area featuring a walking trail. The dam wall is 65 m high. It can be viewed from the car park at the northern side of the Googong Foreshores. Picnic-barbecue facilities are available downstream from the dam wall. Opening hours are 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily with extended hours in summer, tel: (02) 6207 2779.
London Bridge
If you continue along Old Cooma Rd, turn left into the Burra Rd then left again onto London Bridge Rd it leads to a car park by London Bridge Woolshed and shearers' quarters where there are picnic-barbecue facilities. A two-hour circuit walk leads from the car park to London Bridge - a natural rock arch carved in limestone by the passage of Burra Creek. The walk then continues along Burra Creek to London Bridge homestead (1860) and the subsequent buildings which emerged in the wake of a grazing property and 13 children. There is a protective fence although the buildings can be clearly seen and open days are held regularly.
Tourist Information
Queanbeyan Tourist Information Centre
1 Farrer Pl.
Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Telephone: (02) 6298 0241, 1800 026 192
Facsimile: (02) 6299 1520
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