Wangaratta has been an important location for aboriginal tribes, in particular the Pangerang tribe for whom Merriwa Park was a site of many meetings and corroborees.

Wangaratta was first settled in the 1930’s by Doctor George Faithful. This was the beginning of settlement and In 1848 Thomas Wedge, who is best known for surveying Sydney, surveyed Wangaratta.

The first Mayor of Wangaratta was Mayor Lucas. Most streets in Wangaratta are named after former mayors or major contributors to the towns history.

In 1959 Wangaratta was declared a city. Local government changed at this time also. An amalgamationin the 1990s between the Wangaratta shire of Oxley and the Shire of Wangaratta resulted in the current Rural City of Wangaratta Shire.

The current population of Wangaratta is approximately 27000 people.

Wangaratta is knows for its mills and industry, especially textiles. Wangaratta is also renowned for excellent medical and aged care facilities.

Wangaratta is in a prime position, at the junction of two major rivers with snow fields, wine regions and numerous tourist attractions on it’s doorstep, and only 2½  hours from Melbourne.