Tumbarumba

For other uses, see Tumbarumba (disambiguation).

Tumbarumba (/tʌmbəˈrʌmbə/^[2] tum-bə-RUM-bə) is a town in New South Wales, Australia, about 480 kilometres (300 mi) southwest of the state capital, Sydney. Tumbarumba is located on the periphery of the Riverina and South West Slopes regions at the western edge of the Snowy Mountains. The 2016 census showed the population of the town and surrounding area to be 1,862 people.^[1] Locals refer to the town as 'Tumba'.

Tumbarumba New South Wales
The Parade, Main street of Tumbarumba
Tumbarumba
Coordinates	35°47′0″S 148°01′0″E / 35.78333°S 148.01667°E / -35.78333; 148.01667
Population	1,862 (2016 census)^[1]
Established	1850s
Postcode(s)	2653
Elevation	645 m (2,116 ft)
Location	480 km (298 mi) SW of Sydney 477 km (296 mi) NE of Melbourne 114 km (71 mi) SE of Wagga Wagga 137 km (85 mi) ENE of Albury 65 km (40 mi) SSW of Tumut
LGA(s)	Snowy Valleys Council
County	Selwyn
State electorate(s)	Albury
Federal division(s)	Eden-Monaro
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.7 °C 67 °F 5.6 °C 42 °F 978.7 mm 38.5 in

To the south and east, the highest peak of the Snowy Mountains and mainland Australia—Mount Kosciuszko—can be seen.

History

The Aboriginal history of the region is contentious. According to the map developed by Tindale, the area that is now Tumbarumba lay at the boundary of the lands of the Wiradjuri and Walgalu peoples. Since the Wiradjuri word for the 'Walgalu' was Guramal, meaning 'hostile men', presumably there was little in common between these peoples, who spoke different languages. The Walgulu spoke the same Ngarigo language as the more easterly Ngarigo people of the Monaro region,^[3][4][5] and in more recent times these groups have been considered by some to be just one people, the Ngarigo, whose lands included Tumbarumba.^[6] There are different views on the origin on the word 'tumbarumba' and whether it derives from the Wirajuri or Ngarigo language. Tumbarumba and surrounds now lie within the Brungle/Tumut Aboriginal Land Council Area.^[7]

The settler community was established in the late 1850s after gold was discovered in the district. The Post Office opened on 1 August 1860 but was spelt Tumberumba until 1915.^[8]

A railway branch line was opened to Tumbarumba in 1921. The Tumbarumba railway line ran from Wagga Wagga through Tarcutta. The service ceased in September 1974 and the line has since been officially closed.^[9][10] The 21 km final section of the line between Rosewood and Tumbarumba opened as the first rail trail in NSW in April 2020.^[11][12]

Gold mining petered out in the 1930s,^[13] and the region's economy now depends on agriculture and tourism. The timber industry dominates the Shire's economy.

The name Tumbarumba may be derived from the sound of thunder.^[14] or alternatively from the Aboriginal words for "hollow sounding ground", "thunder", "sound" or "place of big trees".^[15]

Industry

The major industry in the town is softwood timber processing, with the Hyne and Sons Timber Mill to the west of the town being the biggest employer.^[16] Other industries include tourism, viticulture (Tumbarumba is in the Tumbarumba wine region), and blueberry growing. Tourism is a source of income due to its proximity to the snow fields.^[17]

Tourism

Tumbarumba provides a convenient base for visiting the Western Snowy Mountains area.

The town lies on the Snowy Valleys Way which Destination NSW^[18] advertises as a more leisurely and picturesque driving route to take between Sydney and Melbourne. The Snowy Valleys way links Gundagai and Beechworth passing through Tumut, Tumbarumba and Corryong.

Tumbarumba is also close to the 440 km Hume and Hovell Track.^[19] Access to the track is at the Henry Angel Trackhead, 9 km from Tumbarumba toward Khancoban. A half day walk from the Henry Angel Trackhead to 'Big Hill' provides views of the western face of the Snowy Mountains Main Range. This walk passes old gold workings at the Burra Falls.

Tumbarumba is also the centre of the Tumbarumba wine region, a developing cool climate wine growing region with the first plantings in 1982. Several local wineries have 'cellar doors' with wines for sale.

The Museum and Visitor Information Centre on Bridge Street is open 363 days of the year, and the Tumbarumba Library and Archive on Prince Street is open Monday to Saturday, but check for opening hours.

The Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail opened April 2020. The rail trail is a 21 km walking and cycling trail that follows the closed Tumbarumba branch line. The rail trail has boosted tourism to the region.^{[citation needed]}

Education

There are three schools in Tumbarumba. Tumbarumba Public School and All Saints Primary School (Catholic) providing primary education. Tumbarumba High School provides secondary education to the district.

Events

The Tumbarumba Rodeo is held annually at the Tumbarumba Showground on New Years Day (1 January). In addition, Tumbafest, an annual weekend long music, wine and market festival, is held on the last weekend in February. Past festivals have attracted acts like Leo Sayer (in 2015). Tumbarumba Tastebuds is a festival celebrating local food, wine and art. It is held in the Spring.

Climate

Tumbarumba has a South West Slopes climate, with a great seasonal range of maximum temperatures and a pronounced winter rainfall peak. Frosts are frequent throughout much of the year. Snow is fairly common, generally falling on about two days per annum, though is usually light due to the town's valley location. The lowest recorded maximum temperature was 1.1 °C (34.0 °F) on 15 July 1966, and the lowest recorded minimum temperature was −9.4 °C (15.1 °F) on 13 July 1970. The town gets 109.2 clear days annually, with the grand majority in summer and early autumn.

Rainfall records commenced at Tumbarumba Post Office in 1885, however temperature records (both averages and extremes) didn't commence until 1965.

Climate data for Tumbarumba Post Office (1965–2022, rainfall to 1885); 645 m AMSL; 35.78° S, 148.01° E
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	42.0 (107.6)	40.5 (104.9)	35.6 (96.1)	32.5 (90.5)	24.0 (75.2)	19.1 (66.4)	20.0 (68.0)	22.0 (71.6)	27.8 (82.0)	31.5 (88.7)	36.6 (97.9)	39.0 (102.2)	42.0 (107.6)
Average high °C (°F)	29.0 (84.2)	28.5 (83.3)	25.1 (77.2)	20.1 (68.2)	15.2 (59.4)	11.8 (53.2)	10.7 (51.3)	12.2 (54.0)	15.4 (59.7)	19.6 (67.3)	22.8 (73.0)	26.1 (79.0)	19.7 (67.5)
Average low °C (°F)	12.3 (54.1)	12.0 (53.6)	8.9 (48.0)	5.1 (41.2)	2.4 (36.3)	0.2 (32.4)	−0.1 (31.8)	0.9 (33.6)	3.0 (37.4)	5.3 (41.5)	7.7 (45.9)	9.8 (49.6)	5.6 (42.1)
Record low °C (°F)	1.6 (34.9)	1.9 (35.4)	−1.3 (29.7)	−4.1 (24.6)	−6.7 (19.9)	−7.8 (18.0)	−9.4 (15.1)	−8.1 (17.4)	−5.0 (23.0)	−5.5 (22.1)	−3.9 (25.0)	0.1 (32.2)	−9.4 (15.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	62.7 (2.47)	54.0 (2.13)	66.8 (2.63)	65.7 (2.59)	82.0 (3.23)	102.0 (4.02)	105.1 (4.14)	107.2 (4.22)	91.0 (3.58)	96.5 (3.80)	74.9 (2.95)	70.8 (2.79)	978.7 (38.55)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	6.0	5.6	6.3	7.2	9.4	12.1	13.1	13.2	11.4	10.3	8.2	7.3	110.1
Average afternoon relative humidity (%)	38	40	42	50	61	68	67	62	57	49	48	43	52
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology^[20]

Another site approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the northwest of Tumbarumba operated from 1938 to 1969, known as Carabost Forest Headquarters. There is a remarkable warming trend to be observed between the two sites; particularly in the winter months, where Tumbarumba Post Office averages 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in July maxima, compared to just 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) at Carabost. A reduction in winter rainfall, but increase in summer rainfall, is noted. It too should be noted that Carabost was of a considerably lower altitude than Tumbarumba Post Office: a deficit of 65 metres (213 ft).

Climate data for Carabost Forest Headquarters (1938–1969); 580 m AMSL; 35.65° S, 147.80° E
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	28.0 (82.4)	27.2 (81.0)	24.1 (75.4)	18.7 (65.7)	13.7 (56.7)	10.8 (51.4)	9.1 (48.4)	10.8 (51.4)	14.3 (57.7)	18.0 (64.4)	21.1 (70.0)	25.4 (77.7)	18.4 (65.2)
Average low °C (°F)	11.0 (51.8)	11.2 (52.2)	9.0 (48.2)	5.6 (42.1)	3.2 (37.8)	1.7 (35.1)	0.2 (32.4)	1.7 (35.1)	3.2 (37.8)	5.5 (41.9)	7.0 (44.6)	9.0 (48.2)	5.7 (42.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	56.4 (2.22)	48.6 (1.91)	61.2 (2.41)	72.6 (2.86)	96.4 (3.80)	92.8 (3.65)	112.5 (4.43)	107.6 (4.24)	84.4 (3.32)	100.1 (3.94)	70.5 (2.78)	60.1 (2.37)	973.8 (38.34)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	5.1	4.7	5.4	7.0	9.7	10.7	12.6	13.0	10.1	10.1	7.8	6.2	102.4
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Carabost Forest Headquarters

Sport

The Tumbarumba Greens field rugby league teams in the Murray Cup competition. The club is notable for having a full team of Goldspinks playing in the 1960s. The club formerly competed in the Group 13 Rugby League and Group 9 Rugby League competitions before joining their current league.

The Tumbarumba Kangaroos compete in the Victorian-based Upper Murray Football League.

Cultural references

• In November 1963, New Zealander Johnny Devlin (with Bee Gees on backing vocals) released the single "Stomp The Tumbarumba",^[21] a song covered later by, among others, the Australian rock band Hoodoo Gurus (see "Come Anytime" and "1000 Miles Away"). Tumbarumba in the song's title may or may not have something to do with the name of the town.
• Tumbarumba is one of the very few Australian placenames mentioned in James Joyce's prose-poem Finnegans Wake. 'Tumbarumba mountain' is listed as one of the places of origin of HCE (Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker), one of the central characters of the Wake (FW 596.11).
• Shirley Abicair, the UK based Australian singer, made the town of Tumbarumba's name familiar to many British children with the publication of her book "Tales of Tumbarumba" in 1962.
• Tumbarumba is another word for a tmesis, a linguistic term which refers to the placing of a word within another word, such as "ri-goddamn-diculous". The origin of this meaning may come from the poem "Tumba-bloody-rumba" by John O'Grady, which includes several tmeses including "Tumba-bloody-rumba", "e-bloody-nough", and "kanga-bloody-roos".

Gallery

•  

  Aerial view from the southeast

•  

  Tumbarumba District Roll of Honour

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  Tumbarumba Memorial Hall

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  Post office

•  

  Court house

See also

•  Australia portal

• Mannus Correctional Centre

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Tumbarumba (state suburbs)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 June 2017.  
2. Butler, Susan, ed. (2009). Macquarie Dictionary (5th ed.). Sydney: Macquarie Dictionary Publishers Pty Ltd. 1952 pages. ISBN 978-1-876-42966-9. from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
3. "Tribal Boundaries in Aboriginal Australia – Norman B Tindale – South Australian Museum". archives.samuseum.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
4. "Tindale Tribes – Wiradjuri". archives.samuseum.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
5. "Tindale Tribes – Walgalu". archives.samuseum.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
6. "Tumbarumba, NSW". Aussie Towns. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
7. "MAP – Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1993 – Aboriginal Land Councils" (Document). Aboriginal Housing Office. 17 January 2018.
8. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
9. "Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail". Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
10. Bain, Andrew (4 January 2022). "NSW finally has its first rail trail for cycling". Traveller. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
11. "Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail". Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
12. Bain, Andrew (4 January 2022). "NSW finally has its first rail trail for cycling". Traveller. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
13. "Tumbarumba Goldfields | Monument Australia". monumentaustralia.org.au. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
14. McNicol, Sally; Hosking, Dianne (1994). "Wiradjuri". Macquarie Aboriginal Words. Sydney: Macquarie Library. p. 98.
15. "Tumbarumba". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 4 August 2013.  
16. Jeppe Nielsen (June 2008). (PDF). p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
17. (PDF). Country Change Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
18. "Snowy Valleys Way". Destination NSW. from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
19. . NSW Department of Trade and Investment. Archived from the original on 21 June 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
20. "Climate statistics for Australian locations". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
21. "Bee Gees Recordings". from the original on 20 April 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.

External links

  Media related to Tumbarumba at Wikimedia Commons

• Tumbarumba Shire Council
• Tumbarumba Railway Station
• Tumbafest website
• Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail