Bredbo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BredboNew South Wales |
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Bredbo, 2020
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 Bredbo
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 352 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2626 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 704 m (2,310 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Snowy Monaro Regional Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Monaro | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Eden-Monaro | ||||||||||||||
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Bredbo is a small village located on the beautiful Monaro plains in New South Wales, Australia. It sits about 34 kilometers (21 miles) north of Cooma along the Monaro Highway. Bredbo is part of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. In 2016, about 352 people called this village home.
Contents
Bredbo's Past: A Journey Through Time
Bredbo is found where the Bredbo and Murrumbidgee rivers meet. In the past, this area often flooded. This meant travelers on their way to the Snowy Mountains from Sydney would often get stuck.
Early Days and the Bredbo Inn
By 1839, the Bredbo Inn was built to give travelers a place to stay. This inn was an important stop for Cobb and Co stagecoaches. The stables behind the inn, where horses rested, are still standing today.
The village grew to support the large farms, called "squatters' runs," that started in the area between 1848 and 1850. Bredbo officially became a village in 1888.
Gold Rush in Bredbo
Gold was found in the Bredbo area by Reverend William Branwhite Clarke. He also discovered gold in Kiandra. A gold mining area was set up along the Bredbo River and was worked until 1921.
Later, in the 1930s, a new mine opened and operated until 1942. The gold fields at Cowra Creek, which started in 1888, are still popular for people who enjoy searching for gold today.
The Railway Arrives
The Bombala railway line reached Bredbo in 1889. At that time, there were only eight houses in the village. The railway stopped running in 1989. However, a special "Farewell to Bredbo" train ran from Canberra on March 3, 1990.
Banjo Paterson and the Man From Snowy River
In the early 1900s, the famous Australian poet Banjo Paterson stayed at the Bredbo Inn. It's believed that he met a well-known stockman named Charlie McKeahnie there. McKeahnie might have inspired Paterson's famous poem, The Man From Snowy River.
McKeahnie was known for his daring horse riding. Sadly, he died after a horse race over the Bredbo bridge. He was carried to the Inn, where he passed away from his injuries.
Early Settlers and Big Farms
One of the first settlers in the Bredbo area was John Cosgrove of Billilingera. He was thought to own the most land in southern New South Wales. One year, an amazing 68,000 sheep were shorn at his Billilingera shearing shed!
Historic Places in Bredbo
Bredbo has some important heritage-listed sites. These are places that are protected because of their historical value.
- The Bredbo Rail Bridge is part of the old Goulburn-Bombala railway line.
Life in Bredbo Village Today
Bredbo has a friendly community with many local activities. An active Community Association helps organize events.
Location and Activities
Bredbo is a great base for exploring the region. It's an easy drive to Cooma for services and to Canberra for more resources. It's also close to popular ski resorts like Perisher Blue, Thredbo, and Mt Selwyn. Locals can even get discounts at some of these resorts! The Thredbo area also has many mountain bike trails and events.
Local Businesses and Arts
The village has several small businesses and places to eat. The historic Bredbo Inn offers food, rooms, and free camping. The Bredbo Pie Shop sells fresh pies, coffee, and local produce every day.
Art and craft are growing in the community. Many creative artists live in the area. You can find locally made goods in some of the village shops. Bredbo is also home to the Bredbo Christmas Barn, a popular stop for visitors.
Community Services and Education
Mail is delivered to residents on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Bredbo Community Association helps with parcel collection. The village has internet access through the National Broadband Network (NBN) Fixed Wireless service. Phone services are managed by Telstra.
Bredbo Public School provides a great education for primary school children. Students get personal attention and special learning opportunities. They also have leadership chances and a safe, family-like school culture. High school students can take daily buses directly to Canberra and Cooma.
Bredbo also has a community hall, tennis and basketball courts, a village green, a cemetery, and a war memorial. Public toilets are located behind the community hall. The Cooma-Monaro library offers a mobile library service that visits the village.
Churches and Nature
Religious services are held at St Bartholomew's Anglican Church, which sits on a hill with great views of the town. The historic wooden All Saints Catholic Church is on Walker Street.
Bredbo village is near where the Bredbo River and Murrumbidgee River meet. There are several spots for fishing and swimming within walking distance of the village hall.
Images for kids
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The old Bombala Railway in Bredbo
