The Djiringanj, Thaua, Bidawahal and Ngarigo tribal groups comprised the Yuin–Monaro nation in the area now known as the Bega Valley Shire. This was the case for many thousands of years. 

In 1797 George Bass explored the coast including Twofold Bay and Mogareeka Inlet. In 1829 the first white explorer in the Bega valley was William Tarlinton, who returned in the early 1830's and settled in the area farming cattle. The Imlay Bros settled in the area in the early 1830's also farming cattle. Live cattle were originally transported from the district from Twofold Bay for sale in Sydney. This was supplemented in the early 1840's by the transporting to market of tallow and hides.

Growth in the area was steady with beef farming and two dairies established up to 1848 but dairying rapidly expanded from the early 1860's onwards. Many dairy factories were established and milk, cheese and butter were produced throughout the valley.

Tathra was first used as a port in 1858 and much locally produced product was transported to markets in Sydney. In 1858 the Illawarra Steam Company was formed and the Tathra Wharf was built in 1860. This allowed for further expansion of farming endeavours.

Many towns were surveyed in the area in the mid 1850's and growth continued very steadily, supported largely by dairying and beef farming. In the late 1870's gold was discovered in the Bermagui area and the Bermagui gold rush occurred during 1880.

The Municipality of Bega was incorporated in 1882. In the late 1890's the Bega Dairy Cooperative Limited was formed. Growth in the Shire has continued steadily.

References

• Howitt, AW, (1996) Native Tribes of SE Australia, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

• Jauncey, B, (1914) A History of Bega (unpublished).

• Young, M and Mundy, E (2000) The aboriginal people of the Monaro, NPWS, Sydney, NSW.