History of The Stables

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History of The Stables

Back in 1859, when gold was discovered at Kiandra in Australia's Snowy Mountains, the track between Yass and Wee Jasper was declared the shortest way to travel from Sydney to the goldfields.

Tens of thousands of gold-hungry folk used the rough bush track. The building currently housing The Stables Tavern was the original stables for the NSW Mounted Police stationed at Wee Jasper.

The historical bluestone buildings in the grounds of The Stables Tavern were once the Police barracks. The Police station is now the residence next to the school and the lock-up is located behind the old Police station - still with bars on the windows.

The Kiandra goldrush was short lived and Wee Jasper became but a dot on the map until Burrinjuck Dam was built in 1928. The dam brought people to Wee Jasper when water levels would even allow you to water ski right to the door of The Stables Tavern. There even used to be a ferry from Wee Jasper village to what is now Burrinjuck Waters State Park.

A drop in water levels has seen the focus of Wee Jasper change a little over the years, the ferry is gone but the Goodradigbee River is still a major drawcard for fisherfolk and families looking to get away from it all. Carey's Cave is a popular destination for visitors and cavers make the most of wild caves in the area.

Banjo Patterson once made Wee Jasper his home and it is said that some of his works were inspired by the incredible landscape of the area.

The previous owner of The Stables Tavern, Angela Sharratt handed over the reins to Janet Bell in 2007. Janet's charm and friendliness have ensured that The Stables remains a great place to stop for a cold ale on a hot summer's day and she guarantees a warm and inviting sanctuary on a wintery mountain weekend.

The Stables Tavern has seen many a media and sporting celebrity grace the bar or even work behind the bar. But confidentiality is key at The Stables, you'll have to drop in yourself to find out just who has been there.

The Stables Tavern and Restaurant are great supporters of the local community and charities. November 2008 saw the Tavern set Wee Jasper up as MoTown for the Movember Institute - raising almost $8000.

This year, 2009 The Stables Tavern has taken on a resident canine - retired sheepdog Bess and The Stables' horse, Jacko. He makes sure the name remains relevant and the grass remains trimmed. They join Neville the cockatiel who keeps the punters entertained and pulls off a mean wolf whistle that's got more than one bloke into trouble.

I bought a run a while ago,
On country rough and ridgy,
Where wallaroos and wombats grow -
The Upper Murrumbidgee.
The grass is rather scant, it's true,
But this a fair exchange is,
The sheep can see a lovely view
By climbing up the ranges.

A Mountain Station, A.B. 'Banjo' Patterson