Local History

The Brindabella Valley has traditionally been the home of the Walgul and Ngunnawal Aboriginal people who used it as a corridor to the annual Bogong moth feasts in the higher alpine regions. It was first settled by Europeans around 1860 and was also the focus of considerable gold discoveries around the 1900s and even boasted a listed company. It is the birthplace of one of Australia’s best known female authors – Miles Franklin (My Brilliant Career) who wrote her first book (Brindabella Childhood) there. Radio playwright Gwen Meredith, also wrote many episodes of "Blue Hills" from her home in this peaceful retreat during the 1950s, while international author Doris Lessing and Australia's 'camel girl' and author of 'Tracks', Robyn Davidson, both stayed at the Wilderness and Wildlife Reserve in 1985. The Brindabella Station was owned by television journalist Richard Carlton during the 1980s and was a favourite trout fishing spot for both Malcolm Fraser and John Gorton The Station is now owned by the Barlin family who operate it as a very successful historic guest house and working farm.