Binalong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Binalong New South Wales
Central Binalong looking towards the post office and the Hotel Binalong
Binalong Location in New South Wales
Population	543 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	2584
Elevation	481 m (1,578 ft)
Location	312 km (194 mi) SW of Sydney 37 km (23 mi) NW of Yass 63 km (39 mi) SE of Young
LGA(s)	Yass Valley Shire
Region	Southern Tablelands
County	Harden
Parish	Binalong
State electorate(s)	Goulburn
Federal Division(s)	Eden-Monaro
Localities around Binalong: Galong Boorowa Kangiara Galong Binalong Bowning Berremangra Bookham Bowning

Binalong (/baɪnəlɒŋ/ by-na-long) is a small village in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It is located about 37 kilometers (23 miles) north-west of Yass in the Yass Valley Shire. In 2016, Binalong and the areas around it had a population of 543 people.

Binalong's Past

First People of Binalong

The original people of the Binalong area were the Ngunnawal people. They are an Indigenous Australian group. The first Europeans known to visit this land were explorers led by Hamilton Hume in 1821.

The name "Binalong" likely comes from an Aboriginal word. It might mean "under the hills," "surrounded by hills," or "towards a high place." Another idea is that it was named after Bennelong, a well-known Aboriginal man.

European Settlers Arrive

Binalong was outside the official area where Europeans were allowed to settle in New South Wales. However, some people, called "squatters," moved into the area before 1839.

In 1847, a local court was set up in Binalong. That same year, a local person built an inn called the Swan Inn. It provided food and a place to stay for judges and police. The town of Binalong was officially recognized in 1850.

In 1853, a famous coaching company called Cobb and Co started in Melbourne. When they expanded to New South Wales, they used the Swan Inn as a stop. Coaches, drivers, and passengers traveling to the goldfields at Lambing Flat (now Young) would stop there. This made Binalong a busy and important town. The Swan Inn became known as "The Cobb and Co."

Growing the Town

Binalong's public school opened in 1861. The first railway station started in 1875. A new station was built in 1916 when the railway line was changed. The old station building is now a private house.

The Swan Inn closed after the railway was built because other inns opened closer to the new station. It reopened in the 1980s as a restaurant called The Black Swan. A motel was also built next to it.

Famous People from Binalong

Many interesting people have lived in or had connections to Binalong:

• Michael Boddy: An English-Australian actor and writer.
• Janet Dawson MBE: A well-known Australian artist.
• John Gilbert: He was a bushranger, which means he was an outlaw who lived in the bush. He was part of the Gardiner-Hall gang. His grave is near the town.
• Gillian Mann: An English and Australian artist.
• Banjo Paterson: A very famous Australian poet. His family moved to Binalong in 1869 when he was five years old. He went to primary school in Binalong and often returned home during school holidays. Some of his poems are about this area. His father is buried in the local cemetery.
• Bruce Smeaton: An Australian composer who writes music.

Gallery: Around Binalong

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  General store

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  New Binalong Railway Station, now closed, on 1916 alignment

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  St Patrick's Catholic Church

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  Binalong Motor Museum