Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Coolac, NSW

Coolac, originally home to the Wirradjuri People, was first settled by Europeans in the 1830’s. There are a number of buildings, created between 1850 to 1880 from the local stone, still standing in the village, including the three original hotels known as the Beehive, Coolac and Junction hotels, the police station, and two churches, St Judes Anglican and St Peters Catholic. Until 1982, a level-crossing railway line crossed the Hume Highway just near St Judes.

The Murrumbidgee River is joined by the Tumut River and the Muttama Creek, which wends its way from Cootamundra, not far from the current Hume Highway.

Situated some “nine miles from Gundagai“, it is arguable that the bank of the Muttama Creek at Coolac was the original site of the ‘legendary’ Dog on the Tuckerbox tale, as opposed to those who argue for the “five mile” theory.

Coolac produces quality beef, lamb and cereal products. In the early days of settlement a minor gold rush was experienced. It is reputed that some 900 miners were camped on the hill not far from the present hotel, which also had a producing vineyard nearby. Some minor minerals and semi-precious stones have been found in the area. These days the region boasts Australia’s largest apple orchard and the champion racehorse, Tie The Knot, grazes not far away

The school was established in 1872 of local stone, with the present weatherboard structure erected in the 1920s, closing permanently in 1980. It is now the venue for the annual Coolac Festival Of Fun which offers a program of outdoor concerts by some of Australia’s leading performers, along with the well-known Bald Archy Prize, and a grand dinner celebrating the regions best wine and food.

Nearest Airport: Tumut

Where to stay?

About Coolac

  • Locality: Rural locality
  • Coolac Postcode: 2727
  • State: New South Wales
  • Region: Country NSW
  • Latitude: -34.92401
  • Longitude: 148.16616
  • Elevation: 243m
  • Population: 216
  • Median Income: $32084
  • Area (Sq/km): 334.822
  • Timezone: Australia/Sydney

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains