The Township of Appin (settlement 1810) is the oldest town in
the Wollondilly, and one of the first villages in NSW. It is 240
metres above sea level with a current population of 1600 people. It
is steeped in history both recorded and word of mouth.
For the last 190 years Appin has been predominantly a farming
area. Land grants were conditional to farmers to successfully grow
wheat, barley, and vegetables for the Sydney market and later
dairying and fodder for horses.
By 1825 the population had increased to 562, and Appin was the
centre for many journeys of exploration and settlement inland.
Throughout the nineteenth century Appin remained mostly a
farming community. The civic life was centred in Campbelltown.
A few early buildings are still standing: St. Bede's Church
(1840) and the Original Appin Inn (1826) can be found at S
34’12.123 E 150’ 47.213 and an old cottage at S34’12.019 E150’
47.269.
Two blocks south is another stone building, formerly the Police
Station (1814) which closed and moved to Campbelltown in 1933 and
is now a private residence.
Locals speak of this area where we have placed the cache as a
“Drovers Rest Area”. With the George’s River not too far away, the
drovers were able to rest their cattle and restock their fresh
water supplies before heading on their journey.
In the early days, to travel from Sydney to Wollongong was via
Campbelltown and then Appin. Here is an extract from ”Settlers
& Convicts”.. “after breakfast in Campbelltown, we lit our
pipes and bidding our hospitable acquaintance goodbye, started once
more. Our next stage was to Appin. We accomplished easily by noon.
After dinner which we took at the little inn of the settlement, we
struck off along a wild bush track direct for the coast mountains,
for it should be stated although our journey was from one seaside
place to another, we had made it by a wide sweep inland.” There is
further history linked here with cache GC2256E
Please enjoy our cache and if you have time for a history
lesson, visit the town and discover what was and what is now. PS.
There are markets held here on the 2nd Sunday each month.