Murrumbateman is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Barton Highway, approximately 30 kilometres north-west of Canberra, and is part of the Yass Valley Shire. At the , Murrumbateman had a population of 3,219 people. History and economy With the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century sheep farming, wheat growing and goldmining became major economic activities. The first government school opened in 1869. Winemaking began in Murrumbateman in the 1970s with some of the surrounding rural properties being developed as grape growing areas or as boutique wineries. In recent years much of the land has been subdivided into small hobby farm blocks ranging from . Similar subdivisions have occurred in other regions around Canberra including Bungendore, Sutton, Gundaroo and Burra. Residents tend to commute to Canberra for work rather than make a living off the small parcels of land. Other nearby towns are Yass, Gunning and Dalton. Murrumbateman has a pub and a handful of retail outlets. The Murrumbateman Market is held fortnightly at the Recreation Ground. The market focus is on local produce and local arts and crafts but there is always a range of products from the wider Yass Valley and beyond including fruit and vegetables, breads, cakes, jams, olives, chillies, sauces, biodynamic beef and a range of wines from the local area plus woollen and alpaca products and handmade goods of all types. Annual events The Murrumbateman Pony Club hold an annual show jumping festival in June. The event is open for Pony Club Members. The Murrumbateman Field Days is held in October each year and draws large crowds from Canberra and Yass The Australian Cool Climate Wine Show is held annually in September Facilities and services The trees around the grounds are heritage listed and parking underneath them is not recommended. Murrumbateman has the following Sporting clubs: Murrumbateman Pony Club Murrumbateman Eagles AFL Club Murrumbateman has the following facilities: Market - 9am to 1pm on 2nd and 4th Saturday each month www.mvmarket.com Park Public toilets Motel next to a takeaway store Petrol station/supermarket Garage Accountant Butcher Rural supplies store Rural Fire Service Pub Guesthouses Abode Hotel Restaurants Wineries Australia Post agency Hair & beauty salon Dentist Doctor Pharmacy Veterinary clinic Dance school Pre-school Family day care Library Catholic Church Uniting Church I.T. specialist Landcare group New development The Fairley Estate, a new 100 home subdivision at