One of Queanbeyan-Palerang region’s true hidden gems is the historic town of Braidwood. The town was the first to be listed in the NSW State Heritage Register and it doesn’t take you long to figure out why. As soon as you step on to the town’s main street, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful colonial buildings dating back to the 1800s. The best way to immerse yourself in the town’s rich history of pioneers and bushrangers, colonialism and gold rushes, is by foot. This fascinating walking tour will take you through 49 historic landmarks of Braidwood in no time at all.
Originally, the Braidwood area was occupied by people from the Yuin Nation for tens of thousands of years. European explorers first arrived in 1822, settling in throughout the 1820s. The settlement was located near the headwaters of the Shoalhaven River.
Between the 1820s and 1840s, the town grew little by little until the gold rushes of the 1850. During this era, Braidwood was booming as the primary town in the district. However, the growth didn’t last for long, as once the gold ran out, so did migration to the area.
The main street through town, Wallace Street, is filled with colonial buildings from the 19th century. This walking tour will take you through the entire length of the street, showcasing 18 outstanding locations from the early days of the town’s development in the mid-1800s.
Some of the oldest remaining buildings in Braidwood are situated in the northern end of Wallace Street. The street’s close proximity to Monkittee Creek made it the perfect spot for a business centre in the 1940s. Over time, Braidwood’s business centre started moving south from the northern slope of the street. Hotels, such as the Albion, the Criterion and the Corner Hotels, were erected in the latter half of the 19th century as a response to the growing needs of the town during the gold rush era.
After the gold rush, the town witnessed expansion to the east in the 1950s and 1960s. Several new dwellings, hotels and churches were introduced along Elrington, Duncan, Wilson and Lascelles Streets. To this day, many of these buildings remain in near original condition.