When the ‘Cowpastures’, Bargo and acres further inland were opened up for settlement after 1815, a number of small land grants were surveyed in the Wilton area – then known as East Bargo, but only a few taken up.
In its earliest days Wilton area was best known for the main roadway which went from Appin, overBroughton Pass then on to Lupton’s Inn (Bargo). Wilton is the only town on the main road from Picton to the freeway north of Wollongong, and between Appin and Picton.
To find the shopping centre turn off the freeway towards Wollongong, then left about 3 minutes down the road into the village. Wilton is famous for the Sydney Skydiving Centre and you can often see parachutists coming in to land while you are driving down the freeway. Training courses are available and there is a canteen, kiosk and picnic area at the centre (open 7 days).
Wilton is growing again, with a large new residential area on the northern side of the shopping area, home to many who commute to Campbelltown and the city to work.
Apart from its farm ing activities, Wilton is known as a recreational destination, with many visitors to the nearby dams and to the skydiving facility (to the west of the freeway).