JOSEPH HAWDON arrived in Australia in 1834, and, with others, overlanded the first stock from Jugiong NSW to Port Phillip (later named Melbourne) late in 1836.

The party followed the tracks of Major Mitchells's Australia Felix Expedition, where he discovered the Western Plains of Victoria. Both parties fiorded the river at Howlong (Oolong).

When he arrived in Adelaide in April 1838, the whole town, including Governor Hindmarsh, went to the outskirts of the settlement to greet him, his fellow drovers and the long-awaited cattle.

On his return to Sydney, he scored the first overland mail contract from Yass to Melbourne, crossing the river at Howlong. In 1838, he became the the first overlander in transporting cattle from the Eastern States to Adelaide.

JOHN CONWAY BOURKE - MAILMAN EXTRAORDINARY:
As a young man, Bourke was employed by Howlong landowners, the Hawdon brothers.

When Joseph Hawdon successfully tendered for the first overland mail contract between Melbourne and Yass, Bourke, a young man with a resourceful nature, was the obvious choice for mailman.

Leaving Melbourne Post Office on 4th January, 1838, he set forth on horseback over virtually virgin territory carrying two mailbags, bedding, provisions, two pistols and a compass. He was accompanied by Joseph Hawdon.

According to Bourke's own account many years later, his horse became bogged once he reached the banks of the Murray, so he was forced to swim the river for help. It is believed Bourke was 22 years of age at that time.

HOWLONG HISTORIC CIRCUIT:

The Howlong Historic Trail consists of 28 locations and is a 13.3 kilometres circuit.

The history of Howlong dates back to 1836 when Major Thomas Mitchell established his camp on the southern bank of the Murray river.

Crossing to the northern side he observed gig wheel tracks where white settlers had ventured before.

The town was surveyed in its present formation in 1854 with ten streets from east to west and ten streets from north to south, bounded by the Black Swan Anabranch of the Murray River.

A DETAILED MAP AND INFORMATION BROCHURE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HCRC (Howlong Community Resource Centre, 59 Hawkins Street.)

Open: Tuesday to Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm, Wednesday 2.00pm - 5.00pm and Saturdays 9.00am - 11.30.

Or from the Corowa Shire Council Information Centre located in the Civic Centre, 100 Edwards Street, Ball Park, Corowa. Open Mon-Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm, Sat 10.00am - 3.00pm and Sunday 10.00am-1.00pm.