Queanbeyan

Queanbeyan NSW 2620 (Pop 36 331)

Queanbeyan is a busy SW NSW town located on the Queanbeyan River 290 km s-w of Sydney and 18 km s-e of Canberra. Original inhabitants were the Ngarigu Aborigines who named the area meaning ‘clear waters’ with white squatter settlement beginning in 1824. Gold discoveries (1851), the railway (1887) and the construction of Canberra (1910-20s) ensured the town’s future. Today agriculture, manufacturing, service and tourism support the local economy. Many residents commute to Canberra for work. Queanbeyan Markets 2^nd Sun each month. Queanbeyan Show (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Queanbeyan has many buildings of historic interest  including several cottages in Lowe St, Christ Church (1859), stone schoolhouse (1843), stables (1843) Rutledge Sts, St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church (1849) Molonglo St & ‘The Oaks’ (1830’s) Hill St. Queanbeyan Museum, Farrar Pl interesting historic displays and memorabilia. Open (2pm-4pm) Sun Sept-June.  Queanbeyan Art Centre Gallery, Trinculo Pl located in an early 1880s cottage. Queen Elizabeth Park, Morrisett St where monthly markets are held (exc. Jan.)

Nearby:
Molonglo Gorge (2 km north) on the Molonglo River with spectacular views and 3 km walking tracks. Googong Dam (10 km south) 65 m high and excellent for fishing, bushwalking, sailing & canoeing. Open  (8am-5pm) daily. London Bridge (24 km south) natural limestone arch. Bungendore (26 km n-e) interesting historic village near Lake George. Captains Flat (45 km south) small historic mining village with an interesting museum.

Accommodation:
Queanbeyan has about 20 motels, 5 hotels, a B&B and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Farrer Pl & Lowe St. Tel (02) 6298 0241 or 1800 026 192.

Airport:
Canberra International Airport (CBR) Pialligo Ave. Tel (02) 6275 2222/(02) 6275 2256. (10 km n-w).

 Hospital:

Queanbeyan District Hospital, Collett St. Tel (02) 6298 9211.