The Commercial Travellers’ Association of NSW was formed in 1883 to provide for the needs of travelling salesmen across the state. Early company travellers were remarkable pioneers for their industry, travelling long distances, hauling and carrying their samples with them on often arduous journeys, not the least early concern being the bushrangers who prevailed in those times.  The establishment of the CTA was a welcoming respite, a place of comfort where many of these businessmen enjoyed like-company, where business was often done and where they could share experiences.

CTA NSW organised social gatherings, sports and picnic days, insurance and welfare funds, club facilities, accommodation and transport deals, and education schemes. These were essential initiatives to ameliorate the conditions experienced by members, affectionately known as “Knights of the Road”, such as long stretches of time away from home, the loneliness of regular travel, the loss of earnings through accident or illness, and the need for rest and recreation. 

Similar associations were formed in the mid-to-late nineteenth century in each Australian state, across the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The NSW organisation initiated the founding of the Registered Clubs Association in NSW (1920, now Clubs NSW) and is the only club with life membership of Clubs NSW.

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The Commercial Travellers Association Club applied for a certificate of registration (liquor licence) in 1906, which was granted after mandatory investigations.  The association/club was one of the original 85 licences offered to the club industry.

The certificates make it clear that it is the club that applies for the licence.  The inspecting officer noted that the club was situated at 173 Pitt Street and contained reading and writing rooms, billiard and card rooms, boardroom, strangers’ room, dining room, offices, kitchen, etc, and that the “… lavatory accommodation is exceptionally good”.  He praised the premises which were “fitted up and furnished similar to a first-class hotel; hot and cold-water baths on each floor where there are bedrooms”.