Gundagai is situated on the eastern outskirts of the Riverina district about 100 kilometres southwest of Yass on the Hume Highway, the main inland route from Sydney to Melbourne. The Murrumbidgee River, which flows through Gundagai, played a major role in the town’s history with its vast alluvial flats on the northern side attracting early migrant settlers with fertile grazing and agricultural land.

By 1852, despite previous large floods and warnings from local aborigines, the settlement had grown along the river’s alluvial flats. On the evening of 24th June 1852, a great flood swept down the Murrumbidgee valley and many of the settlers chose to take refuge in the lofts in their houses instead of moving to higher ground. By morning the devastation became apparent. The punt which normally carried freight across the river set out to rescue those trapped, but capsized. Two aborigines, Yarri and Jackey Jackey, took their canoes into the raging waters countless times throughout the night and rescued many stranded people. There were 89 known deaths in Gundagai and many buildings were destroyed. In 1853, another flood swept away most of what was left.

Now, near OI Bell Drive at the site of the then school, there is a cairn dedicated to the headmaster, his family and pupils who lost their lives during the flood. There are also the remains of some building foundations. On the northern bank of the river, there is a memorial to explorer Charles Sturt who crossed the river in 1829 while exploring the vast Murrumbidgee River. On the edge of the golf course a cairn depicting the location of the Rose Inn is also worth noting. There are a number of lookouts in town which are excellent vantage points to view the town and surrounding countryside.

The cemeteries in Gundagai hold the remains of the aboriginal Yarri and local mason Frank Rusconi who made the model for the now famous Dog on The Tuckerbox monument and the Masterpiece in Marble. The bushranger Captain Moonlight is also buried here.

Gold was discovered in the area around the 1860s and the town grew with the new mining population. The Prince Alfred Bridge, built in 1867 to enable the locals to cross the wide expanse of the river more quickly, is a rare example of a wrought iron pin-jointed Warren truss road bridge and was the first iron truss bridge built in New South Wales. It is classified by the National Trust and now closed to traffic. The nearby Railway Bridge was completed in 1902 extending rail transport into southern New South Wales. A second gold boom at the turn of the 20th Century swelled Gundagai’s population even further.

The historic Gundagai Railway Station built in 1886 and featuring the only slate roofed goods shed in New South Wales, has been restored to its original glory. Inside, displays recall the time when trains ran regularly on the now abandoned branch line. A photographic record of the restoration and items of interest to railway enthusiasts can also be viewed. The Gundagai Historical Museum is open 7 days from 9am to 3pm and provides a step into times past.

Gundagai Shire is proud of its rich heritage and is home to some much-loved Australian legends. Just as the song says, the Dog on The Tuckerbox is “5 miles north of the Gundagai” (8.5 kilometres). This iconic monument was unveiled in 1932 as a testament to the faithful companion of many country folk. Nearby was the mythical home of the famous Snake Gully characters Dad, Dave, Mum and Mabel. The “Dad and Dave from Snake Gully” radio serial first went to air in 1937 and continued for 16 years. It was based on Steele Rudd’s (Arthur Hoey Davis) book “On Our Selection” which was first published in 1899. Australian audiences embraced the radio serial with great enthusiasm and the theme song, “On the Road to Gundagai” was popular with all age groups. Copper sculptures by Aurel Ragus of the Snake Gully characters are now temporarily housed inside the Visitor Information Centre in town.

Also on display at the Gundagai Visitor Information Centre is a Frank Rusconi masterpiece, “A Marble Cathedral in Miniature”. This unique artifact contains 20,948 pieces of New South Wales’ marble all cut, turned and polished by hand. This miniature building took 28 years to build and was completed in 1938. Mr Rusconi also constructed a replica of the Altar of St Marie’s Cathedral in Paris as well as the model for the Dog on The Tuckerbox.

Gundagai is a great stopover, so take time to wander past the heritage buildings, enjoy a coffee and chat to the locals or stay overnight. Gundagai has a range of accommodation types to suit all budgets.