Berridale
aerial view from north west
Is a small town of 844 people in New South Wales, and is the administrative centre of the Snowy River Shire, one of Australia‘s major inland tourism destinations. Berridale lies at 860 metres above sea level between the towns of Cooma and Jindabyne and 435 kilometres south of Sydney.
Climate and geography
Berridale has a definite four seasons: with potential snow during winter despite being below the snowline and temperatures reaching sweltering 40 degrees celsius in the summer months of December to February. During summer, the average temperature ranges from a minimum 9° celsius to a maximum of 28°. During the wintertime, the minimum temperature can go below -5° while the maximum temperature can rise as high as 16°. Berridale’s climate is relatively dry as the town is located in a rainshadow on the Monaro between the Snowy Mountains and the coastal zone.
The land surrounding the town is a combination of cleared farmland and lightly wooded bush. There are granite boulders located south through west of the town on the roads to both Jindabyne and Dalgety. This granite was crystallised as a large mass from magma 400 million years ago miles from the Earth’s surface and was gradually eroded and uplifted to its current position. The hills immediately to the north of the town have less granite. There are, however, a few small areas of shale.
History
Aborigines long occupied the area but in small numbers. The European settlement was founded in the 1860s, when Scotsman William Oliver built his house there in 1863 and opened a roadside store, naming the location as a variation on his home town in Scotland, Berriedale. The dry climate later proved the town ideal for growing fine merino wool. Oliver’s store became a wayside inn in 1870, which still exists as the Berridale Inn, and a granite store was built. A post office opened in the town in 1869 with a telegraph office opening in 1870.
The town nicknamed itself the ‘Crossroads of the Snowy’ during the period when gold miners would pass through on their way to the Adaminaby and Kiandra goldfields. Berridale was also nicknamed the ‘Town of the Poplars’ in the 1990s due to the main road through it from Cooma to Jindabyne (Jindabyne Road/Kosciusko Road ) being lined by an avenue of poplars. The town grew slowly with the pastoral industry forming the mainstay of the local economy. The town hosted a work camp for the Snowy Mountains Authority although its population did not grow as much as Jindabyne or Cooma during the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Berridale is also home to one of the largest collections of heavy machinery and associated equipment salvaged from construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The items include dozers, graders, scrapers, dumpers, loaders, tournapulls, trucks, snow equipment and numerous other pieces, from well known makers such as International, Euclid, LeTourneau Westinghouse, Allis Chalmers, Caterpillar, Thornycroft, Leyland, and others and numbers in excess of 100 pieces. A museum is planned for future construction to display the items.
Dogs in Snowy Mountains, NSW
In recent decades, Berridale has developed a tourism industry based on its location on route to the NSW snow fields. John Howard was staying in Berridale in September 1985 on a family ski holiday when Andrew Peacock announced that he would call a Party Room meeting to replace him as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. When Howard was re-elected as Deputy Leader on September 5, Peacock was in an untenable position and resigned with Howard becoming leader of the Liberal Party and the Leader of the Opposition.
Education
Berridale Public School is a primary school with around 100 pupils, serving the town and the outlying areas, with pupils going on to the Snowy Mountains Grammar School or Jindabyne Central School in Jindabyne or Monaro High School in Cooma.
Local Attractions
With its moonlike landscape, Berridale is a haven for photographers during each season. Many photographers utilise the granite boulders for shots whilst many will also take advantage of the Poplar trees that line the highway when they change from bright green to a lumious yellow during autumn. During the year the Lions Club hold the Easter and Spring markets which draw a large crowd to the township. The Berridale Chamber of Commerce also holds a Christmas Twilight Market which proves to be very popular.
The Heritage Walk is also popular with tourists and residents. The walk features many of the older parts of the town. Berridale also plays host to being a checkpoint during The Snowy Ride. The Snowy Ride is a motorcycle event run annually in the Alpine Region of NSW with the aim of involving motorcycle riders from all over Australia to raise money for Childhood Cancer Research. During Winter, Berridale’s population swells as skiers and seasonal workers converge on the town as they make it their base for the winter ski season.
Sport
Eucumbene Trout Farm
Berridale has tennis court facilities, four of which are all weather and two clay and are used weekly during the warmer months. Berridale also competes in the Monaro and District Cricket Association fielding one side in the competition and have won several competitions in the past. The Berridale swimming pool is open from November until March. Golf is played at the Coolamatong Golf Club which is located around 2 km’s froom the CBD. The course is 18 holes and features grass greens and is also used for the Diggers Golf Day held in May each year. The club house is located in the CBD. Berridale is also used as a training base for cyclists from all over Australia who use the many roads to train on as well as taking advantage of the high altitude.
The Poplar Drive
The chief attractions of the town are the poplar drive (on the Jindabyne side of town) which, in autumn, boasts one of the finest stands of yellowing poplars anywhere in the Snowy Mountains and the old schoolhouse in Oliver Street which dates from 1883 and is listed by the National Trust. Although the buildings have had extensions they still are a reminder of what a small country school was like at the end of the nineteenth century. Of particular interest is the gabled roof and the unusual curved corrugated iron roof. They are actually two buildings which have been joined by the inevitable pragmatic extension.
Snowy Vineyard Estate
The town also boasts a winery which is actually located on the Snowy River and must be the highest vineyard in Australia. Open from 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. daily it sells wines as well as offering teas and lunches. Its setting, amongst the granite rocks on the banks of the upper limits of the Snowy River, make it one of the most attractive destinations in the district. To sit in front of the open fire in winter and enjoy a good meal is a delightful way to spend a few hours.
Eucumbene Trout Farm
Southern Cross Motor Inn and Tourist Park
The Eucumbene Trout Farm offers trout-fishing opportunities, tours of the facility and horseriding. It is located on Round Plain Rd and is open every day from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Hours are extended to 7.00 p.m. during daylight savings, tel: (02) 6456 8866.
Eucumbene Trout Farm
Eucumbene trout farm has gone to flyfishing by appointment only. They have closed the “sure catch” pond. Have the lake to yourself with a private half day Fly Fishing adventure. Four hour sessions are available by arrangement. Beginner’s introductory lesson can be included if required. All licence, rods, reels, landing nets and flies are supplied or you can bring your own. This is catch and release fly fishing at the discretion of your gillie.
Public Holiday: Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. By arrangement only.
Southern Cross Motor Inn and Tourist Park
The Southern Cross Motor Inn in Berridale is family owned and operated. The Inn has been in business for six years and offers the best facilities and services at the best value-for-money prices. There are 250 beds available for large tour groups at fantastic rates. Enjoy great food in the restaurant. On-site ski hire is available. Whatever you choose, you have full access to all the facilities, entertainment lounge, in house lift ticketing at discount rates, bar, drying rooms, ski hire, ski machine, luggage room, barbecue, shower block if you need it after your last day’s skiing and plenty of parking.
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