Within Wingecarribee Shire is the rugged locality of Meryla, situated east of Moss Vale. A short history of Meryla was presented in this column in November 2019 and now an additional series, based on further research, concludes here.
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The parish of Meryla existed from the 1860s. It included today's Werai and Manchester Square localities, the first parts to be settled, and extended south to Sandy Creek and down into Meryla Valley at the western end of Kangaroo Valley, accessed via Meryla Pass.
Up to 30 farms were established in Meryla Valley by the 1890s, but the settlers there were eventually driven out by rabbits and blackberries. One 'old-timer' was Stephen Garbutt. Local historian Janet Cosh interviewed him a few years prior to his death in 1970. The following anecdotes of his are from her notes:
"Cedar trees growing below the cliffs brought in the cedar cutters. They hoisted the logs up the cliffs and then took them by bullock team to Sutton Forest by way of Werai. In the same manner an early settler of Bendeela is said to have carried up farm produce. Convicts did the work of side-cutting and forming a track at the Pass in the 1820s. Meryla Valley farmers originally ascended this difficult and narrow bridle track to head across to Sutton Forest by way of Werai, until a vehicular road was built through the Pass in the 1890s, this perhaps being when the still existing solid rock retaining walls were positioned."
Once the settlers had left valley by the 1920s, the road up Meryla Pass deteriorated but, after some repairs were made, Meryla Road attracted adventurous motorists. The Southern Mail of 3 October 1930 described a journey by motor vehicle down the Pass in an article headed 'Valley of a Myriad Scenic Marvels'.
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It began: "The Southern Highlands are rich in scenic beauty. Some are widely known, including Fitzroy Falls, Belmore Falls, the Burragorang Lookout, the beauties of Sutton Forest, the Gullies of Bundanoon. But off the main routes are even more magnificent views. Amongst these is the awe-inspiring vista of Meryla Valley, which lies on the old road to Kangaroo Valley."
The article continued that, under the direction of Guide Briggs, of the NRMA, a party of members of the Association, which included some city visitors, visited this spot by undertaking a round trip from Bowral. In a procession of motor cars, they headed along Meryla Road to the Pass, down which they drove, and then eastward to Kangaroo Valley village, returning from there to Bowral via the Nowra-Moss Vale Rd.
The view from the top of the Pass was magnificent: "the first glimpse of the Meryla valley is indescribably beautiful, unrivalled in the Southern Highlands. We continued on to a comfortable camping ground commanding one of the most enchanting landscapes in Australia. A small plateau nearby had once been farmed by Searle's and from this verdant vantage ground the eye swept over towering cliffs, gum-clad mountains, abysmal gullies, rippling streams. Bathed in the golden sunlight of a glorious spring day, the scene was ravishing."
The party continued: "Down, down, down through heavily timbered country liberally studded with tree fern, lillipilli, vines laden with glistening white stars, and the manifold beauties of the coastal bush, across streams of crystal purity to the charming village of Kangaroo Valley."
The article also noted that some parts of the road had been cleared and numerous road signs erected so any motorist could follow the route. "The trip could be made in good weather with a minimum of discomfort, especially in the lighter cars, being more suitable for the several 'V' bends on the Pass where it is necessary to reverse. It is too much to expect in these times [of depression] that the whole road should be put into first-class order, but a few pounds might well be spent on the few really bad spots."
Meryla Road extends from the Nowra Road turn-off to the head of the Pass, where today it terminates at gates locked to motorists. There are two walking tracks nearby: the Meryla Fire Trail that winds along ridge lines towards Fitzroy Falls, and the Griffins Fire Trail that descends Meryla Pass to Gales Flat in Kangaroo Valley and on to Lake Yarrunga.
The views are still magnificent.
Part 4 of 4, Meryla 2 series.
Berrima District Historical & Family History Society - compiled by PD Morton
