Population 1,589 (2011 census) Postcode(s) 2701 County Bourke Postal code 2701 Federal division Division of Riverina | Established 3 October 1881 LGA(s) Coolamon Shire Council Elevation 290 m Local time Monday 8:50 AM | |
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Location 506 km (314 mi) SW of Sydney
482 km (300 mi) N of Melbourne
40 km (25 mi) NW of Wagga Wagga
40 km (25 mi) W of Junee Weather 19°C, Wind E at 11 km/h, 62% Humidity | ||
Coolamon is a town in the Riverina region of south-west New South Wales, Australia. Coolamon is 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-west of Wagga Wagga and 506 kilometres (314 mi) south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Sturt Highways. The town is situated on the railway line between Junee and Narrandera. Coolamon had a population of 1,589 at the 2011 census and is 290 metres (950 ft) above sea level. It is the administrative and service centre for the local government area which bears its name—Coolamon Shire.
Contents
Map of Coolamon NSW 2701, Australia
History
The original land where Coolamon now stands, prior to European settlement, was occupied by the Kamilaroi and/or Wiradjuri Aborigines.
A property "Coleman" was first settled there by a Mr J. Atkinson in 1848. The town was surveyed prior to the coming of the railway in 1881.
Cowabbie Post Office opened on 1 May 1881 and was renamed Ganmain on 1 July and Coolamon on 1 November of that year.
Modern Coolamon
The name of Coolamon comes from the Aboriginal word for a basin-shaped wooden dish made and used by Australian Aborigines. In the area around the town are thousands of naturally occurring indentations in the ground called Coolamon Holes which fill with water.
Coolamon is in the wheat belt of New South Wales and is a leading state producer of wheat and chaff. Wheat was first grown in the area in the 1850s. In addition, turkeys and wool are produced and the area is noted for the quality and plumpness of its lambs.
The town's broad main street, which has been restored, retains much of its old world charm with its wrought-iron verandahs and awnings. Various bric-a-brac, antique shops, tourist coffee lounge, and a modern bread bakery and cafe invite passing tourists to stop and explore the town. The Up-to-Date store, designed by architect William Monks, has what is probably the only cash ball cash railway still in situ.
Railway station
Coolamon railway station opened in 1881 as Cowabbie Road. The station name was quickly changed to Coleman and finally the name Coolamon was settled on in 1895. The coming of the railway allowed greater ease in transporting the area's products to distant markets.
Coolamon is a served by weekly NSW TrainLink Xplorer service operating between Sydney and Griffith. NSW TrainLink also operate a road coach service from Wagga Wagga to Griffith via Coolamon.