It is believed that the name 'Burrowa', the original spelling, derives from the local Aboriginal language and refers to a native bird, the plains turkey Australian bustard.

[citation needed] Unofficial occupation of the district began in 1821 with Irishmen Rodger Corcoran and Ned Ryan, both former convicts who had received their 'ticket of leave' from the Governor.

[citation needed] Governor Gipps proposed the creation of a village named 'Burrowa' in 1842, to be located 9 km north-east of the present site at Kings Plains which had been surveyed in 1828.

The early years in the district saw lawlessness and mayhem as a result of long running boundary disputes, theft of livestock and arson, even murders; the cause being remoteness and lack of law and order.

[citation needed] The district was given over to farming, although it received a push along when gold was found at Carcoar, Browns Creek and Kings Plains.

[6] Boorowa residents and the local member of parliament lobbied the Government to direct the new southern main line progressing towards Goulburn to pass through the town.

[7] Boorowa experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb, Trewartha: Cfbk), with warm summers and cool winters.