From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Macarthur is a region in the south-west area of the Sydney, Australia metropolitan area that includes the city of Campbelltown, as well as the town of Camden and Wollondilly Shire. It covers an area of 3,067 square kilometres and has a population of close to 240,000 residents. Most of the area is taken up by Wollondilly Shire while the majority of the population lives within Campbelltown and its surrounding suburbs.

This region is generally regarded as the area where the city of Sydney meets its rural countryside.

The history of the region begins over 40,000 years ago and is contained in the continuing culture of the T’harawal people. The land still contains reminders of their past lives in rock engravings, cave paintings, axe grinding grooves and shell middens. Their culture also remains in the surviving songs, stories and descendants. The lands of the T’harawal language Nation extended from approximately Botany Bay to Shoalhaven and to the foothills of the mountain ranges. The principal symbol of the T’harawal nation is the lyrebird.

European history began in 1788 shortly after settlement at Sydney Cove, when the colony’s entire herd of cattle (four cows and two bulls) strayed from their enclosure and were lost. In 1795 a herd of 61 cattle were discovered on the land between the Nepean River and Georges River. This area was to become known as the Cowpastures – and was deemed a restricted area to provide ongoing protection for the herd.

In 1803, John Macarthur was granted 5,000 acres (20 km²) at Cowpastures and began grazing Merino sheep. He also began Australia’s dairy industry and his sons later introduced viticulture, fruit growing and wheat.

The Macarthur region – as Cowpastures is now known – became a ‘hub’ for growth and the birthplace of the nation’s wealth.

The region is steeped in history with statesmen, adventurers, larrikins and villains all having an association with the Macarthur region. Much of the history, heritage and culture can be experienced today by travelling to Macarthur and visiting its many celebrated heritage sites. Macarthur is becoming a vibrant tourist destination, with its living heritage, adventure tourism and Australian experiences.