Pambula Village
History TrailWelcome to the historic village of Pambula
Our History Trail is a guided walk around our beautiful village, highlighting some of our most historic sites.
You can listen to the stories of our past using the QR codes you will find in-person at the sites, use the map to explore or click on the links below to read more.
Forming part of Yuin country, the Thaua Aboriginal people have lived on and cared for the local area for countless centuries. Middens around Broadwater Lake and Pambula River date back to at least 3,000 years before present, illustrating a lengthy and lasting relationship with the district. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to the elders, past, present and emerging.
The town name of “Pambula” comes from the local Thaua language, “Pamboola”, meaning “twin waters”, which is believed to refer to the meeting of salt and fresh, something that occurs at various points in the locality. Early European spellings were “Panboola” and “Panbula”.
LISTEN to the Introduction to the Walk
PLEASE TAKE CARE CROSSING ROADS
J.D.’s Building – 21 Quondola Street
Image courtesy of the George Family Collection.J.D.'s Building - 21 Quondola Street This imposing...
Pambula Supermarket – 19 Quondola Street
Coorey's Rural Distributing Store, Pambula.Built in 1934, this unassuming building is closely...
Pambula Town Hall – 13 Quondola Street
The original Pambula School of Arts. Image courtesy of the Bega Valley Genealogy Society. ...
Late Victorian Residence – 16 Quondola Street
Looking south down Quondola Street, C. 1921. the buildings at 11 and 16 Quondola Street can be...
Toad Hall – 55 Toalla Street
Behl's two storey, C. 1964. Image by Allan "Bubby" George, courtesy of the George Family...
Glenairlie – 65 Toallo Street
The Glenairlie home at 61-65 Toalla Street Pambula in 1997, image courtesy of and copyright Pat...
The Pines – 69 Toallo Street
The Pines 69 Toalla Street in 1998, image courtesy of and copyright Pat Raymond.In 1901 William...
Weatherboard Cottage – 11 Monaro Street
Cottage in Monaro Street, Pambula. Image by Allan "Bubby" George, courtesy of the George Family...
Saint Peter’s Catholic Church
Not only Pambula's oldest house of worship but also the earliest remaining Catholic Church still...
The Old Court House – 42 Toalla Street
Pambula Court House and Police Station. Courtesy of the George Family Collection.Imagine being so...
Chinese Garden – 23-27 Monaro Street Opposite Swamp
Pambula's Main StreetDid you know that Pambula had a small Chinese population during the 18th and...
The Schoolmaster’s Residence – 19 Monaro Street
Pambula school teacher's residence, C. 1880. Courtesy of the George Family Collection.For many...
Public School Building – Cnr Monaro & Toalla Streets
Pambula school students and teacher Robert Ashworth, C. 1900. Courtesy of the George Family...
The Commercial Hotel (Top Pub) – 18 Quondola Street
Quondola Street, Pambula, showing the Commercial Hotel to the right, C. 1910s. Courtesy of the...
Pambula War Memorial & Old Bank Building – 22 Quondola Street
Pambula Soldiers Memorial, C. 1964. Image by Allan "Bubby" George, courtesy of the George Family...
Covington’s Residence – 28 Quondola Street
Members of the Behl family in front of the Forest Oak Inn, Pambula. Image courtesy of the George...
Christ Anglican Church – 32 Quondola Street
Christ Church c1964 Pambula. Image courtesy of the George Family Collection.In many European...
McPherson’s Drapery & Haberdashery – 33 Quondola Street
As the plaque on the side of the building explains, this was once the business premises of...
Pambula Milk Bar – 31 Quondola Street
In the mid-1920s, the Godfrey brothers established their motor garage business on this site, and...
Whitby’s Garage – 29 Quondola Street
Whitby's Garage. Photo courtesy of G&R Whitby.The original building on this site - an 1890s...
Pambula Post Office – 27 Quondola Street & Rose Cottage 30 Quondola Street
The existing Pambula Post Office building as it originally appeared. Courtesy of the George Family...
McKell’s Residence – 47 Toallo Street & Cottage at 49 Toalla Street
This site is the birthplace of one of Pambula’s most famous sons. Sir William McKell was born in...
This history tour was funded by the NSW Government Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund and the Pambula Community Bank. The project was facilitated by Pambula Business Chamber with the support of local historians – Angela George and Pat Raymond.