URANA Urana is encounted when traveling the Cowra to Narrandera route if traveling north (or south). Urana is a crossroads town that may be encounted when traveling the roads of the Riverina. For a while, all roads seem to go to Urana. Urana is an old and now historic town that has clearly seen better days. That said the quirkiness of the place determines if nearby the diversion and visit is recommended. Urana was first settled by Europeans during the 1850s. In May 1859 a design for the "Town of Urana" by Surveyor Hayes was approved by the New South Wales Executive Council. The name Urana comes from the Aboriginal word 'airana', meaning a temporary shelter (usually consisting of a simple frame of branches covered with bark, leaves, or grass). In August 1863 near Urana the notorious bushranger, Dan 'Mad Dog' Morgan, and his accomplice Clarke held up the Police Magistrate based at Wagga Wagga, Henry Baylis. In 1866 Urana Township consisted of two public houses, the Urana Hotel and the Royal Hotel. In addition there was a post-office, two large stores, and a police-station and lock-up. A new court-house was erected at Urana in 1879. During 1882 a Roman Catholic Church was completed, with Father Burmingham celebrating the first service on 7 January 1883.  There is something quite nice about this small town. The War Memorial Hall is a good starting point to discover what was. The detail alone is amazing. Likewise the old Royal pub. The War Memorial is a very worthy acknowledgement. The congregational church buildings are a mix of the old and new. The surviving Urana pub is over 70 years old but looks older. The Urana Museum is the old Court House building. The visitor will find there is something that grabs you about this place. Be sure to visit. Heritage diary