Moulamein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MoulameinNew South Wales |
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Morago Street, the main street of Moulamein, with the former Royal Hotel on the left and the Tattersalls Hotel on the right
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 Moulamein
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 484 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2733 |
| Elevation | 74 m (243 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Murray River Council |
| County | Wakool |
| State electorate(s) | Murray |
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer |
Moulamein is a small town in New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Murray River Council area. In 2016, Moulamein had about 484 people living there. It is known as the oldest town in the Riverina region.
The town is located where the Edward River and Billabong Creek meet. This is why its name, Moulamein, comes from a local Aboriginal word meaning "the meeting of the waters." You can find Moulamein between bigger towns like Balranald, Hay, Deniliquin, and Swan Hill.
The weather here is mostly dry, but the area is full of amazing wildlife. You can see many different birds like waterfowl, huge wedge-tailed eagles, and emus. There are also lots of kangaroos hopping around!
Moulamein's Early History
Moulamein is a very old town. Some people thought it was settled as early as 1830. However, this was around the time Charles Sturt was exploring the Murrumbidgee River, which is just north of Moulamein. So, it's more likely the town started a bit later.
Around 1842, a man named Augustus Morris came to the Riverina. He was looking for land where animals could graze. Morris set up farms along the Edward River. He explored the area where Moulamein is today. He was probably the first European to call the meeting point of the Edward River and Billabong Creek "The Moulamein."
Records show that Moulamein had a local court starting in 1847. In 1848, a courthouse and a jail were built. The Moulamein Post Office first opened on October 1, 1849. The court in Moulamein was even built before the one in Albury. This meant prisoners from far away in the Riverina were brought to Moulamein for trials.
In 1848, Richard Edward Wright opened the Moulamein Inn. He got a license for his hotel in February 1849. The plan for Moulamein to become a proper town was approved in November 1849. It was officially surveyed in 1851 and became a gazetted township on September 9, 1851. The first courthouse was taken down in 1860.
Between 1864 and 1866, George Ashcroft ran another hotel called the Traveller's Rest Hotel in Moulamein.
By 1866, Moulamein had about 100 people. The town had two hotels, a post office, and a few stores. A school was also planned and approved to be built in June 1866.
