Adelong, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AdelongNew South Wales |
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Main street
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 Adelong
Location in New South Wales
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| Established | 1836 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2729 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 303 m (994 ft) | ||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Snowy Valleys Council | ||||||||
| County | Wynyard | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Wagga Wagga | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Eden-Monaro | ||||||||
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Adelong is a small town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It sits on the banks of the Adelong Creek.
Adelong is located on the Snowy Mountains Highway. It is part of the Snowy Valleys Council. In 2016 census, about 943 people lived in Adelong.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Adelong comes from the local Aboriginal language. It is thought to mean "along the way" or "plain with a river."
A Glimpse into History
The land where Adelong is today traditionally belongs to the Wiradjuri people.
Gold Rush Days
In 1852, during the exciting time of the Australian gold rushes, gold was found in Upper Adelong. Records show that about 198 kilograms of gold were found. In 1855, Adelong was officially called a gold field.
The town of Adelong was first started in 1836. It really grew when William Williams found gold in a rock on Charcoal Hill in 1857. People first looked for gold by alluvial mining. This means they panned for gold in the Adelong Creek. Later, mines were dug into the nearby hills. Machines called stamper batteries were built along the creek. These machines used water or steam power to crush the hard gold-bearing rocks. The crushed rock made it easier to get the gold out. The historic Adelong Falls Gold Workings are an example of these old mining sites.
After the Gold Rush
The gold eventually ran out in the early 1900s. After that, farming became the main activity. People raised Merino sheep and beef cattle. This type of farming is still important today.
In the last 20 years, Adelong has become a popular place for tourists. People visit to see the beautiful scenery and learn about the town's gold mining past.
During the gold rush, many Chinese people worked in the mines. Sadly, many of them died and were buried in a special part of the Adelong cemetery.
Adelong's Weather
Adelong has a climate typical of the upper South West Slopes. It gets more rain because it is close to the Brindabella Range.
Summers are warm to hot and dry, but mornings can be cool. Winters are cool and rainy. Sometimes, it even snows, like in August 2019. Cold rain often falls in winter. Temperatures can change a lot between seasons. On warm days, the temperature can also change a lot from morning to night.
Adelong's climate is a mix between a humid subtropical climate and an oceanic climate. A humid subtropical climate means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. An oceanic climate means it has cool summers and mild winters.
Places of Historical Interest
Adelong has some important historical sites. These include:
- Adelong Falls Gold Workings
- Hillas Creek: Hillas Hut
Schools in Adelong
There are two primary schools in Adelong. They serve the town and the areas around it.
- Adelong Public School
- St. Joseph's Primary School
