About Our Town
Murrumbateman was proclaimed a village in March 1885. With its close proximity to Canberra and Yass, this village is becoming a town.
The NSW State government and Yass Valley Council are progressing growth plans for a population of 10,000 in Murrumbateman (note 2021 census population of 3607).
The core Murrumbateman village and recreation area was essentially built and financed by the community. Estates and land subdivisions are fast developing, however, there is still a lack of services and facilities normally associated with a town.
On the main road through Murrumbateman (Barton Highway/East St) you will see a mixture of historic and modern buildings. Historic features include ‘Travellers Inn’ now ‘The Meadery’, Scots Uniting Church, the old one-roomed brick school and teachers residence. Modern buildings include a fuel station/grocery store/butcher, Murrumbateman Country Inn, and a new public primary school.
On the other side of the highway is Jones Park and War Memorial and the entrance to the Murrumbateman Recreation Ground – a major sport/event precinct with equestrian arenas and cross country course, tennis courts, a single oval, a Scout Hall being built, community hall, the village green where markets are held, an outdoor stage, Menshed and other facilities.
Murrumbateman is famous for boutique vineyards and cellar doors in the heart of the Canberra district’s ‘cool climate’ wine region. There are more than 20 vineyards to visit and other attractions include chocolatiers, alpaca experiences, wood-fired pizzas, mushroom growers, mead, gin distilleries and honey sellers. The Winery Trail is a walking/cycling path traversing throughout Murrumbateman to get to many of these venues.
Turn left or right off the Highway you will find rural residential lifestyle estates, homes on large blocks where residents embrace the rural lifestyle.
Turn up South Street to the historic Murrumbateman Bush Cemetery to see a magnificent artwork on the water reservoir – featuring Gang Gangs, Golden Sun Moth, rare flora and fauna found in the critically endangered box gum grassy woodland of the Cemetery.
History
The Ngunnawal first nations people walked through this area for thousands of years and made special marks upon country. Our locals are the Onerwal Aboriginal Land Council.
Europeans first reached the Yass Plains in 1821, explorer Hamilton Hume and his party. In 1824 Hume returned with William Hovell while on an expedition to Port Phillip Bay. Hume later returned to Yass and bought ‘Cooma Cottage’ in 1839, previously built by Henry O’Brien in 1827.
Settlers followed the explorers. They were looking for good grazing land for their flocks of sheep. By 1825 a bush track joined the Goulburn and Yass Plains. Gold was discovered in the area in the 1850s – found near Nanama (now Nanima), east of Morumbateman (now Murrumbateman). In 1861 gold was a very small operation with about 18 Europeans and 30 Chinese working the Nanima field.
In 1882 Walter Merriman was born at Ravensworth , Yass. He was educated at Murrumbateman Public School and was instrumental in developing the wool industry in the region. He started his own sheep stud on Merryville (part of Ravensworth) around 1903. He was knighted in 1954.
The local Ngunnawal language has “murra” meaning “hand”, “murun” meaning “alive”, and “murrin” meaning “man”. However, there is no explanation for Bateman although one local wit insists that the town’s name comes from a regular customer ordering rum from a Mr Bateman at the local pub and calling out “More rum, Bateman!”.
Tourist Attractions
Exploring the Local Wineries
Murrumbateman is renowned for its cool climate wines and there are more than 20 wineries in close proximity to the town. Many of them are listed on the Makers of Murrumbateman website makersofmurrumbateman.org.au which also includes information about local chocolate makers, guest houses and a honey and mead maker. The winery trail links some of the closer vineyards to Murrumbateman village. Visitors can walk or cycle along this trail.
Historic Buildings
One of the town’s few historic buildings is the old school (1872) and school residence which have remained largely unaltered. Some other historic buildings are the Scots Uniting Church, Grubers Cottage, Travellers Inn & Post office, Woodside, Hillview Homestead (formerly Drumclog).
Visitor Information
The nearest Visitor Information Centre is the Yass Valley Visitor Information Centre located at 259 Comur Street, or on (02) 6226 2557.
