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Colonial Mutual Life Building to the old Knowlman's Department Store site

Part of: A Self-Guided Heritage Tour of Goulburn

Explore the historic site of the old Knowlman's Department Store, once a hub for imported goods and fashion.
Wander down Auburn Street, soaking in the charm of Goulburn's heritage and the remnants of its vibrant past.
Visit the Fireside Inn, a 1934 gem reflecting the travels of J.E. Knowlman and offering a glimpse into history.
Relax in the sheltered area nearby, enjoying food and refreshments while soaking up the local atmosphere.

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Goulburn, New South Wales

Start location: 207 Auburn Street, Goulburn, New South Wales, 2580, Australia
End location: 175 Auburn Street, Goulburn, New South Wales, 2580, Australia
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Heading back down Auburn Street towards Belmore Park you are making your way to the site of the old Knowlmen’s Department Store.

On the corner of Auburn and Market Street is the site where Knowlman’s Department Store
once stood. It was opened in 1888 as a branch of its London-based company, with 18-year-old John Knowlman at the helm. Knowlman’s Store was the go-to store at the time for imported goods, with direct instructions from the London factories to send out new goods to the Goulburn store the moment fashions were created. John Knowlman was Mayor from 1899-1900 while the business continued under the direction of his son, John Edward Knowlman. Knowlman’s ceased trading in 1982. The building itself remained: leased first to Donahue’s Hardware, then to Clint’s Crazy Bargains, both of which adjoined Bryant’s Bakery. Just down the road you will see the Fireside Inn (1934), built by J.E. Knowlman, reminiscent of his travels through England. Unfortunately, the Knowlman’s Store building burnt down in 1999 due to a fire in the bakery. Today, of the original buildings, only the Fireside Inn remains.

Features

Service facilities

Bar
Cafe
Food and Refreshments
Sheltered Area

Journey Travel Type

Bicycle
Walk

Route Types

One way

Sevice Activity

Cycling
Walks

Operation information

A Self-Guided Heritage Tour of Goulburn

The land that Goulburn was settled on was first passed by Hamilton Hume and John Meehan in 1818. Two years later Governor Macquarie declared the countryside fit for settlement under the name ‘Goulburn Plains’.

The plans for the township were originally laid out closer to the property of Riversdale but were soon relocated to the current location in 1832-3. This was due to the previous locations’ low-lying land being prone to flooding.

After being settled the City benefited from the wool industry, a short-lived nearby gold rush, and the development of the rail system.

On 14th March 1863 Queen Victoria wrote her last royal letters patent and Goulburn was declared the first inland city in Australia. By the 1880s Goulburn was the second biggest city in NSW, behind Sydney. Many of the buildings remaining from this time illustrate that Goulburn was a very wealthy city in its prime.

This tour will give you a brief glance back to some of Goulburn’s fascinating history passing some of the most magnificent architecture for the period in town.

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