From Goobarragandra to Long Plain

The northern Snowy Mountains region is considered to be some of the most rugged and untouched wilderness in the Kosciuszko National Park. Yet, despite the rugged landscapes with perceived limited human impacts, From Goobarragandra to Long Plain describes in detail a rich history of hardship and isolation experienced by prospectors and miners, graziers and drovers, timber getters and sawmillers, and eucalyptus oil distillers. It describes 146 years of European history beginning with Hume and Hovell’s expedition through the region in October-November 1824 and ending with the cessation of grazing in May 1969. The book details for the first time the human side of early European settlement in the region.

The book is replete with excellent maps and very helpful photographs which place the discussion into a context, enabling the reader to visualise descriptions clearly. Detailed endnotes to each chapter provide references to sources. In addition to meticulous work throughout and the detailed listing of sources, the
book includes a list of abbreviations, a glossary, a people index, and a subject index. Overall, a very impressive piece of work from both historical and scientific perspectives. Strongly recommended – Australian Rural & Regional News

A fantastic book about local history. I highly recommend it. – Tony Melrose

Great teaching resource! – Deborah Nicholls

This book is a thoroughly researched and documented history of the region between Goobarragandra and
Long Plain. It is a much-needed history of the northern Snowy Mountains, presenting a large amount of
previously unpublished information of European activity between 1824 to 1969, with details of many of
those who lived and worked in the region. I thoroughly recommend this book to those interested in the
history of the region. – Phyllis Dowling, Historian and former resident of Cooleman Plain.

History can be talked about all the time but when it’s only talked about it’s eventually forgotten. So to have
it documented in a book like this is fantastic. It’s then there forever, it’s never gone. – Abb McAlister, Mayor of Cootamundra-Gungagai Regional Council.

The book is a valuable addition to the already published information on the area. It will be especially useful
to future historians and people researching their forebears. It is a model to follow for historians of other
areas of Kosciuszko National Park. – Graham Scully, Past President & Heritage Office Kosciuszko Huts Association

The book contains some very interesting reading and some great photos and maps. – Terry McDonnell

Very informative reading about this area of our region. Well worth a read. – Beatrice Markham