The landmark says a lot about the town. Taroom is steeped in early European history and built on primary industries – first sheep, now cattle and grain.
The region opened up to settlers in the 1840s with the northern exploits of early explorer Ludwig Leichhardt. The good doctor took a liking to the place while camped by the Dawson River, carving his initials and year date – LL 1844 – into the bark of a coolabah tree. The initials long since gone – in somewhat controversial circumstances – the tree still stands pride of place in the main street, which is as it happens, the Leichhardt Highway.
