Riverina

• Summer

  Dec—Feb

  35°C Avg. High

  30°C Avg. Low

• Winter

  Jun—Aug

  15°C Avg. High

  10°C Avg. Low

Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in NSW, although it hides the fact well in wide, leafy streets and low-slung, historic architecture. This vibrant regional centre sits pretty on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in the heart of the Riverina. In short, it’s the perfect base to discover a delicious food and wine scene, wonderful galleries, tranquil riverbank walks, gorgeous gardens and parks, and fascinating heritage. From breakfast to dinner to late-night cocktails, Wagga Wagga’s food scene is booming. Start your day right sipping barista-made coffee and fresh, seasonal fare at stylish eateries like Fitz Café Wagga, Uneke Lounge or The Brew Wagga.

Griffith

The Riverina region of NSW is known as the ‘food bowl’ of the state for good reason. Produce thrives here, and much of it envelops Griffith, from grapes to oranges and everything in between. Explore the town’s fascinating Italian heritage while visiting wineries, restaurants and museums, and linger for festivals celebrating this rich food and wine culture. Noted architect Walter Burley Griffin was in his prime in the early 20th century, not only (and famously) designing Canberra, but also Griffith as part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme. The city became a magnet for European migrants, who settled in the region after World Wars I and II, and helped build a distinctive food and wine culture. Their contribution is celebrated at the Griffith Multicultural Festival, which is part of the annual Spring Fest in October.

Junee

Located in a beautiful pocket of NSW’s Riverina region, just a short drive from Wagga Wagga, Junee is full of surprises. The town revolves around its delectable Licorice and Chocolate Factory. But as a stop on the major Melbourne-Sydney railway line, this pretty country town is also home to a fascinating railway museum. And then there’s the haunted house and heritage streetscapes…

Lace up your walking shoes and get set to explore Junee on foot. First stop: the Junee Visitor Information Centre, located at the Junee Library, where you can pick up information on self-guided tours that take in the town’s heritage buildings. Along the way, be sure to stop by the two-storey Broadway Museum – a heritage-listed pub built in 1914, which houses a collection of local memorabilia and Betty’s on Broadway cafe.

Coolamon

In the Riverina region of NSW, Coolamon is full of country charm. From its main street lined with heritage buildings – today home to antique stores and pubs with broad verandahs – to its extensive network of hiking and biking trails, this is a place that you’ll want to linger in. One of the greatest pleasures of visiting Coolamon is taking a stroll along main Cowabbie Street, home to a number of grand heritage buildings including the former shire offices, courthouse, post office, railway station and Coolamon Hotel. It’s also home to the Up-to-Date Store Cultural Precinct, an eye-catching 1909 building that has been transformed into a museum showcasing a collection of agricultural machinery as well as the Lamson cash railway system, the only ball-style cash carrier in the world in its original location. When it comes time to refuel, pop into the site’s Little Rustic Pantry for a great coffee and a slice of cake.

Cootamundra

Like many towns in the beautiful Riverina region of southern NSW, Cootamundra flourished during the gold rush of the 1860s. Today, it remains an important agricultural hub, with attractions showcasing its history and notable residents – famous cricketer Sir Donald Bradman was born here, and locals won’t let you forget it! Universally regarded as the greatest cricket batsman of all time, Sir Donald Bradman was born in Cootamundra in 1908. His childhood home has been transformed into a shrine to the sporting hero; visit the Bradman’s Birthplace Museum for bucket-loads of cricket history alongside priceless Bradman memorabilia.

Darlington Point

Affectionately known as ‘the Point’, this town on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River has some of the most beautiful camping and leisure spots in the Riverina. Look forward to an array of aquatic activities, including fishing, swimming, kayaking and boating, then continue your journey along the epic Kidman Way. Like many destinations in the Riverina, Darlington Point began its life as a river-crossing town before being developed into an agricultural hub, producing fruit, vegetables, grains and rice. To learn more about the town’s history, head to the Darlington Point Museum where you will find antiquated domestic and farm equipment.

Gundagai

Most people know Gundagai for its famous Dog on the Tuckerbox Pioneer Monument. But there’s much more to this laid-back town in the Riverina region than its bronzed canine statue. Gundagai is proud of its rich architectural, colonial and Aboriginal histories, boutique wineries, and lures those with a passion for the outdoors with great fishing and a thrilling annual rodeo. Despite the diversity of attractions in and around Gundagai, you’ll want to make your first stop that famous monument. The Dog on the Tuckerbox depicts a faithful pet guarding its dead master’s food container, and commemorates the European pioneers who settled in the area. Unveiled in 1932 to assist the local hospital, the monument sits beside the Hume Highway and is a popular picnic stop on road trips.

Hay

If you’re looking for country swagger in spades, you’ve come to the right town. Set on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in the Riverina region, Hay is the kind of place where you’ll want to slow down. That may be to enjoy long outback sunsets over the Hay Plains, to linger in fascinating museums, or perhaps to take in the countryside along cycleways that weave through leafy fields and lead to inland beaches. Hay is at the centre of the Long Paddock driving route, making it a perfect stop on your journey from the Murray, through the Riverina and into the centre of NSW. When you arrive you’ll discover that the Hay Plains are pancake flat, creating a landscape that never fails to dazzle come sunset. Head to the Sunset Viewing Area, 16km north of Hay on the Cobb Highway, for uninterrupted 360-degree views and a kaleidoscope of colours as the last of the day disappears. Don’t forget your camera.

Hillston

The meandering Lachlan River cuts through the beautiful western Riverina region of southern NSW, paving the way for fertile fields across rolling countryside. It’s here you’ll find Hillston, a small town big on country charm. As well as being an important stop on the Kidman Way, Hillston is a great base for exploring the Willandra National Park, home to kangaroos and emus. The Kidman Way touring route takes you through the heart of NSW, linking Jerilderie in the south to Barringun in the north through Bourke. Along the route is Hillston, a charming town with plenty of country swagger. If you’re getting here from the south, be sure to pause in the tiny town of Merriwagga to check out the Memorial to Pioneer Women and the Black Stump Hotel, which is billed as having Australia’s tallest bar. Here you can learn about the Black Stump legend and the gruesome tale of Mrs Barbara Blain.

Jerilderie

If you’re a fan of Australia’s bush-ranging history, you’ve come to the right place. The historic town of Jerilderie in the beautiful Riverina region is the only NSW town to have been raided by the Kelly Gang – it’s also where bushranger Ned Kelly attempted to have his 8,000-word manifesto printed by the local newspaper editor in 1879. Road trips don’t get much better than the Kidman Way, a scenic driving route through the heart of NSW to Bourke in the north. And Jerilderie is the southern gateway to the route, taking you past merino farms and orchards growing tomatoes, olives and organic wine grapes.

Leeton

Art Deco architecture rules in Leeton, a charm-filled town in the Riverina region of southern NSW. When you’re not attending festivals, go wine and whisky tasting, browse produce markets, and enjoy birdwatching at two important global sanctuaries. Noted architect Walter Burley Griffin may be best known for designing Canberra, but he spread his wings across the region – including to Leeton, which he designed in the early 20th century as part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme. The town still has an incredible collection of well-preserved art deco buildings, not in the least the legendary Roxy Theatre, which has been operating as a cinema since 1930.

Lockhart

Paris is known as the City of Love, New York as the City of Lights. And Lockhart has earned a reputation as Verandah Town. For good reason. Stroll the streets of this pretty town in the beautiful Riverina region of southwestern NSW and you’ll discover lovingly restored buildings with ornate iron lacework verandahs, which you can explore with a side of art and Aboriginal culture. Thanks to its remarkable main street (Green Street) of well-preserved buildings, Lockhart has earned itself National Trust classification. Today the heritage streetscape is dotted with boutiques and cafes, but you can discover more about the turn-of-the-century buildings they call home thanks to informative plaques on each façade.

Narrandera

Life revolves around the great outdoors in riverside Narrandera, part of the beautiful Riverina region of southern NSW. In addition to expansive walking and cycling trails, the area is blessed with wilderness areas where you can visit koalas in their natural habitat, as well as watery playgrounds where you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Narrandera may be small in population, but its big in natural attractions, including native animals and sandy beaches on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River – check out the Historic Rail Bridge.

Temora

Gold is a reoccurring theme in the town of Temora, sitting pretty in the beautiful Riverina region of southern NSW. It enjoyed a boom during the gold rush of the 1860s and has since become famous for being part of the Canola Trail, which sees fields transform into eye-popping canary yellow every spring. History buffs will love the fact that it’s also home to one of the finest collections of flying vintage warplanes in the world.

West Wyalong

At the crossroads of the Newell and Mid-Western highways the beautiful Riverina region of southern NSW, West Wyalong comes with country charm to spare. Like many towns in the region, it was in its heyday during the gold rush of the late 1800s. You can still explore this heritage, then take a dip in a mineral pool, follow walking and cycling trails, discover local art legends and have a drink in a country pub.