About Our Town
Murrumbateman, with its close proximity to Canberra and Yass, is no longer a village, it is a town. The NSW State government and Yass Valley Council are progressing growth plans for a population of 10,000 (up from the 2021 census population of 3607).
Travelling along the Barton Highway (the road between Canberra and Yass) you see on the left, the old post office- now ‘The Meadery’, a service station/grocery store with Butcher, the Murrumbateman Country Inn, the historic one room brick school and teachers residence, a double story new public primary school and the Abode Motel. On the right as you enter town, there is a travellers stop called Jones Park. Behind this is the Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds, a large multi-purpose recreation area with tennis courts, equestrian arenas, sports oval, Scout Hall being built, an old weatherboard community hall, the village green where the markets are held, an outdoor stage and other facilities.
Turn left or right off the Highway and you will see rural residential lifestyle estates with large blocks who’s owners have embraced the rural lifestyle, with features including gardens, orchards and vineyards. Many owners have horses, sheep, goats, cattle or alpacas.
At the top of South Street, within the historic Murrumbateman Bush Cemetery there is a large water reservoir tank featuring a magnificent artwork of Gang Gangs, Golden Sun Moth, rare flora and fauna found in critically endangered box gum grassy woodland..
The Murrumbateman area is famous for its boutique vineyards and cellar door wines, which are the heart of the Canberra district’s ‘cool climate’ wine region. There are more than 20 vineyards within our local region. Other attractions include chocolatiers, alpaca experiences, wood-fired pizzas, mushroom growers, mead and honey sellers. A new walking and cycling trail traverses throughout Murrumbateman to get to many of these venues.
History
Prior to European occupation the local Aboriginal population was and still is the Ngunnawal first nations people. They have walked through this area for thousands of years and made special marks upon country.
In 1821 the explorer Hamilton Hume and his party became the first Europeans to reach the Yass Plains. Hume returned with William Hovell in 1824 on an expedition to Port Phillip Bay. Hume later returned to Yass and bought ‘Cooma Cottage’ in 1839, it was built by Henry O’Brien in 1827.
Settlers followed the explorers. They brought flocks of sheep and sought good grazing land. By 1825 a bush track joined the Goulburn and Yass Plains. Gold was discovered in the area in the 1850s. It was found near Nanama (now Nanima), east of Morumbateman (now Murrumbateman). In 1861 gold was a very small operation and there were about 18 Europeans and 30 Chinese working the Nanima field.
In 1882 an important figure in Australia’s wool industry, Sir Walter Merriman, was born in the district. He was educated at Murrumbateman Public School and was instrumental in developing the wool industry in the region.
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. A new winery trail has been built linking some of the closer vineyards to the village. Visitors can walk or cycle along this trail.
Historic Buildings
One of the town’s few historic buildings is the old school (1872) which has remained largely unaltered. The Murrumbateman Community Association had been working with Yass Valley Council to restore the building for community purposes, however, Council has not allowed a lease to be finalised since 2019. Unfortunately the buildings on this heritage site are currently neglected.
Visitor Information
The nearest Visitor Information Centre is the Yass Valley Visitor Information Centre located at 259 Comur Street, or on (02) 6226 2557.
