Merimbula history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Merimbula roots back to ancient times when these lands were inhabited by the indigenous Yuin people. The name of the town itself comes from an Aboriginal word translating to "two lakes", which perfectly describes the local landscape with Merimbula Lake and Back Lake.

European settlement began in the mid-19th century. A unique feature of the town's foundation was that it initially developed as a private holding. In 1854, the Twofold Bay Pastoral Association began its operations here, playing a decisive role in the planning and initial settlement of the territory.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several factors:

• Geographical Location: A unique combination of sheltered lakes and ocean access created ideal conditions for establishing a port.
• Transport Hub: Merimbula became a key port for exporting produce from the rich pastures of the Monaro region. The construction of the first wharf (Old Merimbula Wharf) allowed for regular steamship connections with Sydney.
• Private Investment: Unlike many other towns that developed spontaneously, early Merimbula was supported by the capital of large landowners, such as the Walker family.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Merimbula was built on more than just cargo transshipment. By the late 19th century, industries began to emerge here that remain the region's calling card to this day:

• Oyster Farming: Thanks to the pristine waters in the estuaries, oyster cultivation became an important part of the local culture and economy at the very dawn of the town's formation.
• Timber and Agriculture: The surrounding forests provided resources for sawmills, while fertile lands fostered the development of farming.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the town ceased to be solely a private holding and began to develop as a popular resort, attracting the first tourists with its natural beauty and mild climate.

Early History and Foundation

• Millennia BC — The lands around the current town were inhabited by the Yuin Aboriginal people, who called the area "Merimbula" ("two lakes").
• 1854 — The Twofold Bay Pastoral Association established the settlement as a private port for exporting livestock and wool.
• 1855 — The first small wharf was built, establishing maritime connections with Sydney and Tasmania.

The "Maizena" Era and Development

• 1867 — Matthew Munn launched the production of "Maizena" corn starch, which became the town-forming enterprise for half a century.
• 1873 — Construction of the "Courunga" homestead, now known as Tower House — the town's oldest residential building — was completed.
• 1875 — The first public school opened; its building now houses the Old School Museum.
• 1903 — A deep-water wharf (Merimbula Wharf) was commissioned, capable of accommodating large steamships.
• 1917 — The famous "Maizena" factory ceased operations due to economic difficulties and raw material shortages.

20th Century and Modernity

• 1952 — Regular cargo-passenger steamship service ceased, giving way to road transport.
• 1959 — Merimbula Airport was officially opened, giving a powerful boost to tourism development in the region.
• 1981 — The first Merimbula Jazz Festival took place, becoming an annual cultural tradition of the town.
• 1983 — A new wharf (the current Merimbula Wharf) with an aquarium and restaurant was built by the local community.
• 1997 — A scenic wooden promenade (Merimbula Boardwalk) was laid along the lake shoreline to protect the mangrove ecosystem.

Stages of Development: From Private Port to Popular Resort

The history of Merimbula is a journey of transformation from a closed industrial hub to an open tourist centre of the Sapphire Coast. Key milestones that defined the modern look and economy of the town:

• Creation of Maritime Gateways (1850s)
  Significance: The construction of the first wharves turned the isolated settlement into the region's main export hub. This provided the town's economic base, allowing wool and livestock products from the Monaro highlands to be shipped to Sydney markets.
• The "Maizena" Industrial Period (1867–1917)
  Significance: The opening of the corn starch factory was the first experience of large-scale industry in the town. The enterprise attracted new residents and formed a working class, laying the foundations for a sustainable urban community.
• Integration into the Road Network (1920s)
  Significance: Road improvements and the construction of the first bridge across Merimbula Lake (Merimbula Bridge) became an important urban planning decision. This connected the town to the Princes Highway, opening it to car travellers and simplifying logistics.
• Opening of the Airport (1959)
  Significance: The most important economic turn of the 20th century. The advent of air travel made the resort accessible to residents of Melbourne and Sydney, finally reorienting the economy from agriculture to mass tourism.
• Development of Aquaculture (Mid-20th Century – Present)
  Significance: The transition from spontaneous gathering to systematic oyster farming in the clean estuary waters. This formed the town's unique gastronomic brand ("Sapphire Coast Oysters"), attracting gourmets from all over the world.
• Revitalisation of the Coastal Zone (1980–1990s)
  Significance: Construction of the public wharf (The Wharf) with restaurants and an aquarium to replace old cargo docks, as well as the creation of the famous wooden promenade (Boardwalk). These projects turned the coastline from a working zone into a prime space for leisure and eco-tourism.

Architectural Evolution: From Colonial Port to Resort

Merimbula's architectural appearance is not characterized by the pomp of Baroque or Gothic styles; it is a cosy chronicle of the Australian province. Urban planning here is entirely subordinate to the complex landscape: the town hugs the lake's shoreline, and development occurred in waves, reflecting the settlement's transformation from a working port to a popular resort.

Historical Eras and Styles

• Colonial Style and Victorian Era (Late 19th Century):
  The founding period is characterized by utilitarian architecture. Buildings were constructed from local sandstone and hardwood. The style is distinguished by simple forms, symmetry, and the durability necessary for a coastal climate.
  Landmark object: Old School Museum — a sandstone building constructed in the 1870s, a rare surviving example of stone architecture from that era. The historic Tower House homestead also stands out.
• Australian Resort Modernism (Mid-20th Century):
  With the boom in car tourism in the 1950s and 60s, the town's appearance changed. Classic motels and light frame houses ("fibro beach shacks") appeared. This period is characterized by single-storey development, flat or single-pitch roofs, pastel tones, and an emphasis on functionality for temporary stays.
• Modern Coastal Architecture (Late 20th — 21st Century):
  The modern style ("Coastal Modern") dominates in new districts. Key features: panoramic glazing to maximize views, wide open terraces, use of glass, steel, and natural wood. Buildings are designed to blend organically into the natural landscape.

Urban Planning Features and Districts

The geography of the "two lakes" dictated unique zoning for the town, where districts are connected by the Merimbula Bridge:

• Central Business District (CBD): Located on the hilly northern shore. Commercial life is concentrated here; the architecture represents a mix of renovated historical facades and modern shopping arcades.
• The Fishpen Peninsula: A flat sandy spit between the lake and the ocean, which has become the main tourist cluster. Development here is predominantly low-rise, consisting of apartments and resort complexes focused on beach holidays.
• The Waterfront and The Wharf: The modern wharf building, although built in the 1980s, is architecturally stylized to resemble historical port warehouses using wood and pitched roofs, paying tribute to the town's maritime past.

Historical Figures and Founders

The history of Merimbula's formation is inextricably linked with the names of enterprising individuals whose ambitions and labour turned a private holding into a thriving town. These pioneers laid the economic and social foundation of the region in the 19th century.

• Matthew Adam Munn
  Industrialist, founder of the "Maizena" industry
  A Scottish entrepreneur who became a key figure in the town's economic history. In 1867, he founded a corn starch factory ("Maizena"), which became the main town-forming enterprise for half a century, providing jobs for local residents. Munn also built the famous historic homestead Courunga, known today as Tower House.
• Armstrong Lockhart Munn
  Philanthropist and public figure
  Son of Matthew Munn, who continued his father's work and directed family capital towards the social development of the community. It was under his leadership and with his funds that the first school building was erected from local sandstone in 1875. Today, this structure is an architectural monument housing the town's main historical museum — the Old School Museum.
• William & James Walker
  Landowners and settlement pioneers
  Influential merchants of the mid-19th century who owned vast territories around Merimbula Lake. The Walker family played a decisive role in the early planning of the settlement and the development of port infrastructure even before the lands were officially transferred to the Pastoral Association. Their activities contributed to the transformation of a spontaneous port into an important transport hub.