Murrays Run

Where is Murrays Run?

It is 15 km southwest from Wollombi and 7.5 kms south west of Laguna Murrays Run was discovered and settled by Europeans in 1822. We are aproximately 350m above sea level. After a prolonged drought in Sydney Andrew Murray, James Milson and John Blaxland combined their herds and made an exploratory drive looking pasture for their cattle.

They set off from Castle Hill late 1822 and headed North. Reaching the Hawkesbury River they swam their herd of 1000 plus cattle across the river and headed upwards through the hill country. Reaching the escarpment they travelled along the mountaintops before descending into the valley. Andrew Murray’s cattle were left in what was to be known as Murrays Run whilst Blaxland’s ere left at Blanxlands Arm and Milson’s at Milsons Arm.

The rich valley pasture sustained the cattle and formed the basis of healthy grazing properties. Andrew Murray was granted title to 1280 acres and squatted on an additional 1280 acres while waiting for the title to be granted. Thomas Mitchell NSW’s Surveyor General and the man responsible for the Great North Road mentioned Murrays Run in 1829, whilst surveying/exploring nearby. The Great North Road was the first road into the Hunter Valley it was built by 3000 convicts under conditions of considerable severity and hardship between 1826 and 1834. Remnants such as stone culverts, bridges and retaining walls remain, particularly in the area between Wollombi and Wisemans Ferry including the Murrays Run Culvert.

The original inhabitants of the locality were either the Darkinjang, Awabakal or Wanaruah Aboriginal peoples, depending on the source. There are a number of historic Aboriginal sites in the surrounding countryside which is thought to have been used as a ceremonial meeting place. There are rock engravings, hand stencils, tribal markings and other images in caves, shelters and outcrops.