Learn about Narrandera Shire’s history from the Wiradjuri people to European settlement, river and rail developments, plus the locals who’ve left a legacy.
Early Beginnings
Narrandera's roots run deep, beginning with the Wiradjuri people, whose name for the area, Narrungdera, means “place of many lizards”.
Captain Charles Sturt passed through in 1829, marking the start of European exploration and settlement. A memorial near the Murrumbidgee River honours his journey.
By the 1830s, Irish settlers claimed fertile land along the river for farming, and Narrandera became a key crossing point for travellers heading to the Victorian goldfields. To avoid flooding, early development shifted from the southern to the northern riverbanks. The village of Narrandera was officially surveyed in 1860 and proclaimed in 1863, eventually growing into a bustling borough by 1885.
Industry, Innovation, and Growth
The introduction of paddle steamers in 1858 revolutionised transport, reducing costs and opening markets for local pastoralists. By 1881, the railway arrived, spurring population growth and the expansion of Narrandera’s historic buildings, many of which still stand today. In 1906, irrigation canals connected the Murrumbidgee River to the drier regions of Leeton, Griffith, and Coleambally. This transformative project unlocked the region’s diverse farming potential with crops like rice and citrus.
During World War II, the No. 8 Elementary Training School at Narrandera Airport trained thousands of Tiger Moth pilots. Today, a museum in Narrandera’s Marie Bashir Park commemorates this vital contribution.
Local People and Legacies
Narrandera Shire has nurtured notable residents including Father Patrick Hartigan, better known as poet John O’Brien, novelist Thomas Alexander Browne (published as Rolf Boldrewood) and tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who grew up in nearby Barellan. Philanthropists like Frank Duval, Dr Harold Lethbridge and Robert Hankinson shaped the community, contributing to health, education and local landmarks like Victoria Park’s Royal Doulton fountain. Marie Bashir, former Governor of New South Wales, spent her early years here and still considers Narrandera her home.
Historian Bill Gammage added to Narrandera’s legacy with his comprehensive book on the Narrandera Shire, which has been studied in universities across Australia.
Our Koala Connection
In the 1970s, the release of 20 koalas along the river revitalised the local population. Today, around 300 koalas call the area home, offering a unique opportunity to see these iconic animals in their natural habitat at Narrandera's Flora and Fauna Reserve.
