Wee Jasper, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wee JasperNew South Wales |
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Bridge across Goodradigbee River at Wee Jasper
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 Wee Jasper
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 127 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2582 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 376–1,121 m (1,234–3,678 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Yass Valley Council | ||||||||||||||
| County | Buccleuch | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Goulburn | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Eden-Monaro | ||||||||||||||
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Wee Jasper is a small village, sometimes called a 'hamlet', located in New South Wales, Australia. It's part of the Yass Valley Shire. This little village sits about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of Canberra and 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Yass.
Wee Jasper is nestled in the beautiful Goodradigbee valley. It's right at the western base of the Brindabella Ranges, close to the Burrinjuck Dam. In 2021, only 127 people lived in Wee Jasper and the nearby areas.
Contents
What Does "Wee Jasper" Mean?
The exact origin of the name Wee Jasper is a bit of a mystery. However, many believe it might come from an Aboriginal language. The name "Weejasper" was first used as early as 1848. Later, in 1970, the official name was changed to the two-word "Wee Jasper."
A Look at Wee Jasper's Past
Who Lived Here First?
Long ago, the Ngunnawal people were the first inhabitants of the Wee Jasper area. They lived throughout the Goodradigbee River valley. Sadly, many Aboriginal people became sick from diseases before European settlers arrived.
Early European Settlement
Even though the government tried to stop settlement in this area, livestock herders reached the valley early on. Explorers Hume and Hovell passed through the region in October 1824.
In 1831, a large piece of land called "Cooradigbee" was given to William Hampden Dutton. This land was south of where Wee Jasper is today. In 1848, the areas known as Buccleuch and Cowley counties were officially announced.
A plan for a village called Goodradigbee was made in 1866, but it never happened. Instead, a small group of homes grew further up the river. This cluster of homes eventually became Wee Jasper.
Famous Residents and Gold Rush History
"Coodra Vale" was a very large property near Wee Jasper. It was home to a farmer named Stewart Ryrie, Junior from 1871 to 1882. Later, from 1908 to 1912, the famous Australian poet A.B. "Banjo" Paterson lived there. His poem A Mountain Station was inspired by his time working on the farm at "Coodra Vale."
In the 1890s, people tried to find gold in 'The Wee Jasper' goldfield. This area was south of Wee Jasper, along the Goodradigbee creek. While there was a "Goodradigbee Goldfield" declared in 1882, it was never a very important place for gold mining.
Growing as a Community
In 1896, a bridge was built across the Goodradigbee River at Wee Jasper. This bridge made it much easier to travel to Yass and Tumut. By 1887, Wee Jasper even had its own police station.
The Wee Jasper Post Office first opened in 1886. It closed for a short time but reopened in 1895 and stayed open until 1994. In 1899, a school was started, and it became a public school in 1918. Wee Jasper also had a Catholic church, which is now used for other purposes.
Fun Things to Do in Wee Jasper
Wee Jasper is a great place for outdoor adventures! People love to visit for its amazing caves, camping spots, canoeing, and fishing.
Exploring the Caves
Near the village, you'll find several camping and recreation areas close to many caves. The most famous one is Carey's Cave. It's a system of seven caverns just north of the town. Other caves in the area include Dip, Dogleg, Punch-bowl, and Signature Caves.
Discovering Ancient Fossils
The Wee Jasper area is also famous for its incredible fossils! Scientists have found fossils of ancient fish like the Brindabellaspis stensioi and the prehistoric lungfish Dipnorhynchus cathlesae here. These fossils help us learn about life on Earth millions of years ago.
Local Businesses
Wee Jasper is also home to the Wee Jasper Distillery, where they make spirits.
Wee Jasper's Climate
Wee Jasper has a cool, wet climate. Summers are mild to warm, and winters are chilly and very wet. It often snows quite a bit in winter and early spring. This happens when clouds from the northwest meet cold air from the southwest.
Wee Jasper gets a lot of rain, about 1500 millimeters (59 inches) each year. That's almost three times as much rain as Canberra! The maximum temperatures in Wee Jasper are cooler than other nearby places at the same height. This is because it's on the western side of the Brindabella Range, facing the wind.
| Climate data for Billapaloola State Forest (1938–1969); 808 m AMSL; 35.27° S, 148.38° E | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 26.6 (79.9) |
25.6 (78.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
17.1 (62.8) |
12.6 (54.7) |
9.3 (48.7) |
8.4 (47.1) |
9.8 (49.6) |
13.8 (56.8) |
16.6 (61.9) |
20.0 (68.0) |
24.3 (75.7) |
17.3 (63.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) |
11.8 (53.2) |
9.8 (49.6) |
5.8 (42.4) |
3.2 (37.8) |
1.2 (34.2) |
0.1 (32.2) |
0.5 (32.9) |
2.4 (36.3) |
4.8 (40.6) |
7.2 (45.0) |
10.0 (50.0) |
5.7 (42.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 86.9 (3.42) |
71.4 (2.81) |
98.8 (3.89) |
113.7 (4.48) |
163.4 (6.43) |
156.1 (6.15) |
172.6 (6.80) |
162.9 (6.41) |
132.6 (5.22) |
145.0 (5.71) |
120.1 (4.73) |
86.5 (3.41) |
1,516.8 (59.72) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 5.8 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 10.9 | 12.3 | 13.4 | 13.6 | 10.3 | 11.1 | 8.7 | 7.0 | 112.7 |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Billapaloola State Forest | |||||||||||||
Important Historic Sites
Wee Jasper has some places that are officially recognized for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One important site is the Wee Jasper Bridge over Goodradigbee River located at 278 Main Road.
Images for kids
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Wee Jasper town sign
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The main bridge spanning the Goodradigbee River going into Wee Jasper
