CANDELO

The Candelo area was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s, but the village really developed in the 1860s at a crossroad of tracks connecting the Monaro with the coast. This followed the passage of the 1861 NSW Land Act that permitted closer settlement of outlying areas throughout NSW (including those along the South Coast) and which led to more settlers moving to country areas.

Dairying became the major industry in the area, with farmers supplying factories in Candelo and nearby Kameruka Estate.

In its heyday, Candelo supported four general stores, seven blacksmiths, three hotels, its own newspaper, a doctor, a chemist, a tailor, a Convent and Convent-school, a maternity hospital and much more.

Today Candelo is well-known for its community energy: organising a Candelo Village Festival, a regular program of Candelo Arts Society events, the Candelo Agricultural, Horticultural and Dairy Show, and monthly community markets.