History

In the early 1800s, settlers moved south from the Sydney Cove settlement pushing into Camden, Berrima and Goulburn. Governor Macquarie commissioned a road link from Camden to Goulburn; parts of the original road are still discernible today.

Ditterly is part of Australia's early colonial settlement. Originally granted to Hannibal Macarthur in 1838 as part of the larger pastoral property Arthursleigh, Ditterly has played a part in the hopes, ambitions and dreams of Australia's early settlers. The first alpacas brought to  this continent were hidden on Ditterly whilst Charles Ledger negotiated their sale price with the colonial government; the remnants of the stables can be seen to this day.

Gold mining played an integral role in the development of the Australian economy. The remains of the old Ditterly Gold Mine can still be seen as well as other glimpses of a bygone age in portions of the bullock road and the stone lined air shafts.

What was once thickly forested land was cleared by convicts. After many hours of labouring in the Australian sun, convicts bathed in the water hole below. The cliff on one side of the riverbank made it easier for soldiers to keep all of the convicts in sight. Ditterly boasts many such refreshing watering holes along its eight kilometres of river frontage.

Original certificate and plans showing Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur's 'Ditterly'.