Today

Set in fertile tablelands north of Canberra, Boorowa stages an annual spectacle known as the Running of the Sheep. Part of the annual Irish Woolfest, this event celebrates Boorowa’s colourful Irish heritage and its rich pastoral history. While the Running of the Sheep is the major draw card for visitors, there’s also lots of fun with a street parade, Irish singers and dancers, and pipe bands.

Other highlights of Boorowa include the beautiful stained glass windows at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, viewing endangered native bird species and enjoying a relaxing picnic on the shores of nearby Wyangala Dam.

Yesterday

A colourful history of settlers, bushrangers, gold and convicts surrounds Boorowa.

In the 1860s the streets of Boorowa were brimming with prospective miners on their way to the gold mining fields in Victoria and Young. In order to stop the exodus from Boorowa rewards were posted for the discovery of gold locally and many residents turned to prospecting for gold in the shire.

The 1860s attracted a new breed of bushrangers to Boorowa including Frank Christie alias “Darkie” Gardiner, Ben Hall, Johnny Gilbert, John Dunn and John O’Meally. There is one story where Hall, Gilbert and O’Meally held up the Webb and Crego’s store in Boorowa and outfitted themselves at gunpoint.