About Our Town
Murrumbateman was proclaimed a village in March 1885. With its close proximity to Canberra and Yass, it is now becoming a town. The NSW State government and Yass Valley Council are progressing growth plans for a population of 10,000 in Murrumbateman (up from the 2021 census population of 3607), and 20,000 in Yass.

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, a travellers stop called Jones Park and the War Memorial. Behind this is the Murrumbateman Recreation Ground, a large multi-purpose recreation area with tennis courts, equestrian arenas, sports oval, Scout Hall being built, a weatherboard community hall, the village green where the markets are held, an outdoor stage and other facilities.
Turn left or right off the Highway to see rural residential lifestyle estates, homes on arge blocks residents embraced the rural lifestyle, with large gardens, orchards and vineyards. Many owners also keep animal such as horses, sheep, goats, cattle or alpacas.
Turn up South Street and stop at the historic Murrumbateman Bush Cemetery and see the magnificent artwork on a large water reservoir – it features Gang Gangs, Golden Sun Moth, rare flora and fauna of a critically endangered box gum grassy woodland within the Cemetery.
Murrumbateman is famous for its boutique vineyards and cellar door wines – they are the heart of the Canberra district’s ‘cool climate’ wine region. There are more than 20 vineyards in this region and other attractions include chocolatiers, alpaca experiences, wood-fired pizzas, mushroom growers, mead and honey sellers. The Winery Trail is a walking/cycling path that traverses throughout Murrumbateman to get to many of these venues.
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.