NSWPort & river
Gundagai
A river crossing, and a lesson in where to build.
1838Township gazetted
WHAT STARTED IT
Gundagai developed at a crossing of the Murrumbidgee on routes between Sydney and the southern districts. Inns and services supported travellers and surrounding farms.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The 1852 flood devastated the town on the river flats. Aboriginal rescuers including Yarri and Jacky saved many people. Rebuilding on higher ground changed the town’s location and shape.
TURNING POINTS
1829Charles Sturt passes Whaby’s station near Gundagai in November, then the last station on the Murrumbidgee.
1838Gundagai is gazetted.
1852A disastrous flood destroys much of the original town.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A regional and highway service town with rural businesses and a strong heritage identity. Its long historic bridges show how much effort the river crossing once required.