Yass is a town in the New South Wales, Australia in Yass Valley Shire. The name Yass appears to have been derived from an Aboriginal word, “Yarrh” (or “Yharr”), said to mean ‘running water’.
Yass is located about 280 km southwest of Sydney, on the Hume Highway. The Yass River, which is a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River, flows past the town. Yass is 59 km from Canberra.
The Yass area was first seen by Europeans in 1821, (an expedition led by Hamilton Hume) and by 1830 settlement had begun. It was founded where then new Sydney to Melbourne road crossed water in the form of the Yass River.
The site for the town was gazette in 1837.
Yass was incorporated as a District Council in 1843, and boasted a population of 274 by 1848. On 13 March 1873, the Municipal District of Yass was created, and James Cottrell was subsequently elected as the first Mayor of Yass.
One of Australia’s best-known poets, A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson arrived in the district in 1871 aged 7, passed his childhood in the district and later bought a property in the Wee Jasper area so that his children could experience country life.
Poet and priest Patrick Hartigan (pen name: John O’Brien) was born near Yass in 1878 and he studied at the local convent school as a youth.
Sir Walter Merriman established ‘Merryville’ one of the country’s most famous sheep studs and arguably its leading fine-wool establishment in 1903. Yass is a prominent area for raising sheep which produce very fine wool due to the soil and climatic conditions of the Yass area.
Yass was one of the sites proposed for the Federal Capital after 1901.
Your a stone’s throw away from some of Australia’s most beautiful spots such as the beautiful waters of Burrinjuck abounding with life, to awe inspiring Careys Cave and the prehistoric wonders of Wee Jasper.
To go with the natural beauty and fabulous food of the Yass Valley, you’re only a short trip away to Canberra, Australia’s capital.
Yass is a motorway drive from Sydney and the perfect stop-off on the Sydney-Melbourne route.
Take the time to learn more about Yass NSW here and how to maximise your stay at Kerrowgair.
