Who knew that Mulgoa means “black swan” in the Dharug language? The Mulgoa people, part of the Dharug group, called this place home long before European settlers arrived. Mulgoa was their name for this land.
Mulgoa’s story stretches back to the Aboriginal people. They lived a hunter-gatherer life. They followed traditional laws rooted in the Dreamtime. Their bark huts were called gunyah.
After the First Fleet arrived in Sydney, the British settlers clashed with the local Indigenous people. However, the Mulgoa people were mostly peaceful. Most clashes occurred with the Gandangara.
In 1810, the government granted land to Edward Cox. He was only four years old. Edward was the son of Captain William Cox. William built a road across the Blue Mountains in 1814. William Cox built The Cottage around 1811. Fernhill, a grander residence, was finished in the 1840s. Sir John Jamison, Cox’s friend, built Regentville House in 1824. It overlooked the Nepean River. In 1821, the Norton family received three large land grants in Mulgoa. James Norton founded Sydney’s first law firm.
St Thomas’ Anglican Church became Mulgoa’s spiritual center in 1838. The Cox family donated land for it. Sir John Jamison was a patron. Reverend Thomas Cooper Makinson was the first rector. Mulgoa’s first school was attached to the church. It operated until the Mulgoa Provisional School replaced it in 1871–72.
By 1893, Mulgoa’s population grew enough to become a municipality. But in 1949, it merged with Penrith, St Marys, and Castlereagh. This formed a larger Penrith Municipality. Today, Mulgoa remains largely rural. The Mulgoa Post Office opened in 1863.
During World War II in 1942, Aboriginal children were evacuated to Mulgoa. They came from “The Bungalow” in Alice Springs. This was after the bombing of Darwin. Rona and Freda Glynn were among them. John Kundereri Moriarty also joined them.
The Church Missionary Society Home for Half-Castes housed Aboriginal children. It operated from 1942 to 1947. The children came from various states. They were evacuated under military orders. This group stayed in Mulgoa until January 1949.
Mulgoa boasts several heritage-listed sites. These include Fairlight Homestead and Fernhill. You’ll also find Glenmore and St Thomas’ Anglican Church. Don’t forget Cox’s Cottage.
Mulgoa Road connects the suburb to Penrith. Busways provides route 795. It runs from Warragamba to Penrith. Locals joke about the Mulgoa speedhump. It doesn’t seem to slow cars down much.
Mulgoa has a government primary school. It is called Mulgoa Public School. There is also Nepean Christian School, a private school.
In 2016, Mulgoa’s population was 1,898. Most residents were born in Australia. Smaller groups came from England, Germany, and Malta. Common religions include Catholic and Anglican. Many residents own their homes. The median household income is higher than the national average.
Notable residents include Stuart Ayres and Captain William Cox. Sir John Jamison and Reverend Thomas Cooper Makinson also lived here.
Mulgoa is part of Penrith City Council. It falls within the Electoral District of Badgerys Creek. It is part of the Division of Lindsay federally.
So, as you explore Mulgoa, remember its history. From the Mulgoa people to its colonial past, this village holds many stories.