Berridale, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BerridaleNew South Wales |
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aerial view from north west
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 Berridale
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,300 (2021 census) | ||||||||
| Established | 1863 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2628 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 860 m (2,822 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | 435 km (270 mi) from Sydney | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Snowy Monaro Regional Council | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Monaro | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Eden-Monaro | ||||||||
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Berridale is a small town in New South Wales, Australia. In 2021, about 1,300 people lived there. It's located about 860 metres above sea level, between the towns of Cooma and Jindabyne. It's also about 435 kilometres south of Sydney. Berridale used to be the main town for the Snowy River Shire. But in 2016, that area joined with two others to create the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. This region is now a big holiday spot in inland Australia.
Contents
History of Berridale
People from Aboriginal groups lived in this area for a very long time, though in small numbers. European settlement began in the 1860s. A man from Scotland named William Oliver built his house here in 1863. He also opened a store by the road. He named the place Berridale, which was similar to his hometown in Scotland.
The dry weather in Berridale was perfect for raising fine merino sheep. These sheep produce high-quality wool. Oliver's store later became an inn in 1870, which is still known as the Berridale Inn today. A post office opened in the town in 1869, and a telegraph office followed in 1870.
Nicknames and Growth
Berridale was once called the 'Crossroads of the Snowy'. This was because gold miners passed through the town. They were on their way to the goldfields at Adaminaby and Kiandra. In the 1990s, the town also earned the nickname 'Town of the Poplars'. This was because the main road from Cooma to Jindabyne was lined with poplar trees.
The town grew slowly, with farming and wool production being the main jobs. Berridale also had a work camp for the Snowy Mountains Authority. This authority built the huge Snowy Mountains Scheme, a big project to create hydroelectric power. Even with this project, Berridale's population didn't grow as much as nearby Jindabyne or Cooma.
Heavy Machinery Collection
Berridale is home to a very large collection of old heavy machinery. This equipment was saved from the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. It includes many types of machines like bulldozers, graders, and trucks. These machines are from famous makers such as Caterpillar and International. There are more than 100 pieces in total. There are plans to build a museum in the future to show off these amazing machines.
Tourism and Politics
In recent years, Berridale has become a popular place for tourists. Its location is perfect for people heading to the snowfields in New South Wales.
In 1985, John Howard, who later became Australia's Prime Minister, was staying in Berridale. He was on a family ski holiday when a political event happened. Another politician, Andrew Peacock, tried to take his job as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. But Howard was re-elected, and Peacock resigned. This led to Howard becoming the leader of the Liberal Party.
Climate and Geography
Berridale has an oceanic climate, which means it has mild temperatures. The weather information for Berridale comes from the nearby Cooma Airport. Snow often falls in Berridale, but it's usually light. The snow melts quickly because of warm westerly winds. Berridale's climate is quite dry. This is because it's located in a rainshadow area. This means it's between the Snowy Mountains and the coastal ranges, which block much of the rain.
Landscape Features
The land around Berridale has both cleared farmland and lightly wooded areas. You can see large granite boulders south and west of the town. These are on the roads leading to Jindabyne and Dalgety. This granite formed from hot magma deep inside the Earth about 400 million years ago. Over time, it was pushed up and uncovered by erosion. The hills just north of the town have less granite. However, there are some small areas of shale rock there.
| Climate data for Cooma Airport AWS (1991–2022); 930 m AMSL; 36.29° S, 148.97° E | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 39.1 (102.4) |
38.0 (100.4) |
36.0 (96.8) |
30.0 (86.0) |
23.8 (74.8) |
21.9 (71.4) |
19.7 (67.5) |
25.4 (77.7) |
27.7 (81.9) |
29.3 (84.7) |
35.9 (96.6) |
37.7 (99.9) |
39.1 (102.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 26.6 (79.9) |
24.9 (76.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
18.2 (64.8) |
14.1 (57.4) |
10.7 (51.3) |
10.2 (50.4) |
11.9 (53.4) |
15.1 (59.2) |
18.2 (64.8) |
21.2 (70.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
18.1 (64.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.9 (51.6) |
10.2 (50.4) |
7.8 (46.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
1.1 (34.0) |
3.5 (38.3) |
6.5 (43.7) |
8.6 (47.5) |
4.0 (39.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −2.2 (28.0) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−8.4 (16.9) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−10.8 (12.6) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 53.9 (2.12) |
51.4 (2.02) |
50.6 (1.99) |
39.4 (1.55) |
29.1 (1.15) |
39.9 (1.57) |
29.5 (1.16) |
32.2 (1.27) |
37.7 (1.48) |
47.2 (1.86) |
69.0 (2.72) |
54.3 (2.14) |
539.5 (21.24) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.9 | 9.4 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 11.2 | 12.4 | 12.1 | 10.7 | 11.0 | 11.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 129.7 |
| Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 39 | 43 | 43 | 46 | 54 | 60 | 57 | 48 | 46 | 43 | 43 | 39 | 47 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | 7.0 (44.6) |
8.1 (46.6) |
6.3 (43.3) |
4.0 (39.2) |
3.1 (37.6) |
1.6 (34.9) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
0.7 (33.3) |
2.1 (35.8) |
4.2 (39.6) |
5.2 (41.4) |
3.5 (38.3) |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Cooma Airport AWS | |||||||||||||
Population of Berridale
In the 2021 Census, 1,300 people lived in Berridale. Most people, about 82.4%, were born in Australia. Also, 89.3% of people spoke only English at home. When asked about religion, 44.0% said they had no religion. About 17.9% were Catholic, and 16.6% were Anglican.
Education in Berridale
Berridale Public School is a primary school. It has about 100 students. This school serves children from the town and nearby areas. After primary school, students often go to high schools in other towns. These include Snowy Mountains Grammar School or Jindabyne Central School in Jindabyne. Some also go to Monaro High School in Cooma.
Fun Things to Do in Berridale
The Berridale Inn is a popular spot for tourists. Many people stop there when they are travelling to the snowfields during winter.
Photography and Nature
Berridale's landscape is unique, almost like the moon in some parts. This makes it a great place for photographers all year round. Many photographers use the large granite boulders for interesting pictures. In autumn, the poplar trees that line the highway change from bright green to a glowing yellow. This also creates beautiful photo opportunities.
Local Markets
Throughout the year, the Lions Club holds special markets. These include the Easter and Spring markets. They attract many visitors to the town. The Berridale Chamber of Commerce also hosts a Christmas Twilight Market. This market is very popular with both locals and tourists.
Heritage Walk
The Heritage Walk is another popular activity. It's enjoyed by both visitors and people who live in Berridale. This walk takes you past many of the older parts of the town. It's a great way to learn about Berridale's history.
The Snowy Ride
Berridale is also a checkpoint during The Snowy Ride. This is a big motorcycle event that happens every year in the Alpine Region of New South Wales. Motorcycle riders from all over Australia take part. The main goal of The Snowy Ride is to raise money for research into childhood cancer.
Winter Season
During winter, Berridale's population grows a lot. Many skiers and seasonal workers come to the town. They use Berridale as their home base for the winter ski season.
Sports and Recreation
Berridale has good tennis court facilities. Four of the courts can be used in all weather, and two are clay courts. They are used every week during the warmer months.
Berridale also has a cricket team that plays in the Monaro and District Cricket Association. They have won several competitions in the past.
The Berridale swimming pool is open from November until March. It's a great place to cool off in summer.
Golf is played at the Coolamatong Golf Club. This club is about 2 kilometres from the town centre. It has an 18-hole course with grass greens. The club also hosts the Diggers Golf Day every May. The clubhouse is located in the town centre.
Berridale is also a training base for cyclists from all over Australia. They use the many roads in the area for training. The high altitude of the town is also helpful for their training.
World War 2 Aircraft Crash
On March 28, 1942, a USAAF P-40E fighter plane had to make an emergency landing. The plane got lost in fog during a flight from Canberra. It landed at a place called "Wheat Hill" station. The pilot, Lt Chester Namola, stayed overnight with the headmaster of the local public school.
