Gundagai Railway Station and yard group

Item details


Name of item:	Gundagai Railway Station and yard group
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -35.0652925262 Long: 148.1143469370
Primary address:	Cootamundra-Tumut railway, Gundagai, NSW 2722
Local govt. area:	Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Brungle/Tumut

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	304		DP	1179804

Boundary:

The listing boundary is the property boundary of the railway yard from the small timber bridge at the eastern extremity of the yard, following both the northern and southern property boundaries to the cutting at the western end of the yard.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Cootamundra-Tumut railway	Gundagai	Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional			Primary Address
Rusconi Place	Gundagai	Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional			Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	30 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Gundagai is a highly significant site being the first crossing of the Murrumbidgee River by the Hume highway. There is an excellent group of railway buildings and items here from the late 1880's. In particular the relationship of the station, yard and timber road and rail viaducts makes the site of particular significance. The quality of the buildings also reflects the importance of the location at the time of the railway opening. The completeness of the site and its picturesque setting overlooking the valley add to the quality of the site and display how the railway was integrated into the existing environment and townscape. The railway station although removed from the centre of the town is an important civic element in the townscape.
	Date significance updated: 27 Nov 00
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	John Whitton
Physical description:	BUILDINGS station building - type 4, timber standard roadside station,1886 signal box - skillion roof on platform goods shed - 72'x22' side shed, sub type 3 corrugated iron STRUCTURES crane - T151, 5 tonne jib crane Main passenger building - large timber framed and weatherboard clad single storey structure with verandahs to each main elevation and brick chimneys. The signal box - small timber framed and weatherboard clad building with a skillion roof constructed to house the track signalling control equipment includign an interlocking machine. The goods shed - standard side platform type timber framed goods shed with iron bracketed roof eaves. Its gabled roof is slated (not iron ) and is very unusual in New South Wales. It stands on a brick base with timber platforms and extended line platforms leading to the pillar crane. (Butcher 1998)
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	All buildings in good condition except for part of goods shed in fair to poor condition. (Butcher 1998)
	Date condition updated:27 Nov 00
Modifications and dates:	In 1926 the western linked part was rebuilt to provide facilities for the Refreshment Room. In 1927 alterations to provide ladies waiting room. (Butcher 1998)


Current use:	Under Restoration
Former use:	Aboriginal land, Railway Station

History

Historical notes:

TRADITIONAL OWNERS
Gundagai is the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people. It is unknown if the land on which the Gundagai Gaol was built had any special spiritual or cultural value for the Wiradjuri in pre-invasion or historic times.

SETTLEMENT OF GUNDAGAI
What became known as the Gundagai area was initially settled by British settlers in the late 1820s following in the footsteps of the explorers Hamiliton Hume and William Hovell who passed through the area in 1824. From this time a small settlement gradually developed on the low-lying flats on the north bank of the Murrumbidgee River near the river crossing. By 1840 the settlement had grown enough to be gazetted as a town. A few years later in 1843 there were four hotels, a post office, several stores, a school, blacksmith, and 20 houses. The following year this settlement was hit by the first of what were to be several floods. The local Wiradjuri continued to warn the settlers that this area was a poor choice for a settlement and it was only a matter of time before there was a large flood (NTA, 2012:8).

This flood finally came on 25 June 1852. It destroyed the entire settlement, consisting of 71 buildings, killing 173 people (of a population of around 400). Many people were forced to shelter in the lofts of their houses or in trees. The Wiradjuri men Yarri and Jackey Jackey heroically saved many of the settlers by braving the torrent in their canoes (NTA, 2012:8).

In the aftermath of this flood the settlers drastically rethought their settlement and moved the town to the higher slopes north of the river, founding the current North Gundagai. Within this new town plan a reserve was put aside for a Courthouse and Gaol along the main street.

GUNDAGAI RAILWAY STATION AND YARD
Following 20 years of community and political representation the station was officially opened on 21 July 1886. It was designed by John Whitton the Engineer in Chief, S.R.A. In 1903 the branch line was extended to Tumut, following the completion of the railway bridge across the Murrumbidgee River flood plain.

The precinct environment is probably unique in railway terms in that it is sited on the side of a hill formation above a flood plain and the rail track access and the goods yard have been built by rock excavation into the hillside. This has resulted in a somewhat restricted site compared to the normal railway yard, particularly in view of the original intention for this station to be the terminus for the line.

For 98 years it was the hub of Gundagai's existence carrying freight, passengers and mail to and from the cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

Following damaging floods in 1984 the branch line was closed and in 1989 the State Rail Authroity abandoned the building. In 1994 Gundagai Historic Bridges Inc. was granted a 25 year lease of the disused and vandalized station and precincts. (Butcher 1998)

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway Station-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building and maintaining the public railway system-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Administering the public railway system-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The station building and goods shed are unique in New South Wales. Reflects the extent of political involvement in railway management by the erection of elaborate facilities on a branch line. It became the hub of social life in Gundagai and and has strong links with town development. (Butcher 1998)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The railway precinct environment is uniquely sited on the side of a hill formation above a flood plain. The railway track and goods yard have been built by rock excavation into the hillside. The station overlooks the Murrumbidgee Valley and is itself overlooked by the town. (Butcher 1998)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	It is significant to the people and trade that travelled to and from Gundagai using the rail system. When it is restored it will once again have social impact through community. (Butcher 1998)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	It is the longest timber platform building in the state. The Signal Box has one of the oldest mechanical interlocking frames in the state. (Butcher 1998)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as scientifically rare. This item is assessed as arch. rare. This item is assessed as socially rare.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	For its social significance. (Butcher 1998)
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01159	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	David Sheedy Heritage Architect	1996	Gundagai Railway Precint Conservation Management Plan
Written	Jessica Butcher, Sam Asimus, Stuart Sharp	1996	Road to Gundagai Railway Vision Statement
Written	Manidis Roberts Consultants	1990	Gundagai Railway Station & Environs Tourism Plan
Written	R. Scrymoeour	1991	The Rise & Fall of the Cootamundra-Tumut Branch Line
Written	Robert Butcher	1998	NSW State Heritage Inventory Form

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5012045

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