Oracle of DelphiWagga Wagga
November 22nd 2007 08:30
Located in New South Wales, 518km by rail from Sydney and 432km from Melbourne on the main Southern line, is the city of Wagga Wagga.
"Wagga", "Wahga" or Wahgam" in aboriginal dialect means "crow". The repetition of a word was the method of expressing the plural or emphasis, thus Wagga Wagga means "crows" or "the place where crows assemble in large numbers". The Murrumbidgee River which runs through the City also derived its name from the aboriginal language and means "plenty water" or "big water".
The city of 57,000 people is 185.6m above sea level and situated on the Sturt Highway, which joins the Hume Highway 48km to the east.
Residents in Wagga Wagga enjoy a distinct four-season climate, although the winter weather is typically quite cold with temperatures between 2.7-12.9 degrees celsius with plenty of fog and heavy frost. Summers are generally a lot more enjoyable with maximum temperatures ranging between 29 and 32 degrees celsius.
The city offers plenty of tourist attractions including wineries and museum and galleries.
For visitors looking to explore the city and its native wildlife, the city council offers a range of tours including Aurora Clydesdale Stud, Heritage Walking Tour, Self-Guided Drive and many more.
The Aurora Clydesdale Stud is a unique opportunity to get close to the gentle giants of the horse world by experiencing a working demonstration, strolling around the collection of Australian memorabilia and getting close to Australian native and farm animals.
Here are some must-see attractions in Wagga Wagga.
Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens Site
The Botanic Gardens of the Museum of the Riverina features various themes relating to Wagga Wagga and surrounding district. It includes the Wagga Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame & a number of original buildings amongst which is a small school, post and telegraph office and printing shop as well as a range of agricultural machinery. The historic engine is adjacent to museum.
Lord Baden Powell Drive.
(02) 6925 2934
RAAF Museum
The RAAF Museum which is situated at the entrance of the Forest Hill RAAF Base, and was established in 1995 to help preserve and promote the history of the base and the wider RAAF activities in the Riverina. Free entry!
Sturt Highway, Forest Hill.
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is an innovative public art museum serving the largest inland city in New South Wales. The Art gallery is located in the architect-designed Civic Centre in the heart of the Cultural Precinct. Its facilities include large temporary exhibition spaces, a Community Gallery program for work by local artists, an artist Residence studio and a standalone gallery to display National Art Glass Collection.
Civic Centre, Baylis Street.
(02) 6926 9660
Wiradjuri Walking Track
The Wiradjuri Walking Track follows a perimeter route of about 30km with eleven established access points, although you may join or leave the track at many points along the way. Take a walk where the Wiradjuri people used to tread.
National Art Glass Gallery
The National Art Glass Collection surveys the studio glass movement in Australia from the 1970's to the present.
As the most comprehensive public collection of Australian studio glass, it refects diversity in style, subject and technique in contemporary practice. It is a continuous record of the glass community's achievements and evolution. The significance of the Collection was acknowledged in 1992 when it was officially designated the National Art Glass Collection. Free entry!
Corner Baylis and Morrow Streets
(02) 6926 9600
Harefield Ridge Wines
Harefield Ridge Winery can be found on the southwest slopes of the Great Dividing Range overlooking Wagga Wagga. Its Tuscan-style setting near the alluvial flats of the Murrumbidgee River is aptly named because of its hare population. Vineyard owners Gerry McCormick and Sue Limberger have stayed with the theme calling their boutique range, Cottontail Wines.
562 Patterson's Road
0418 693 227
Yerong Creek Estate
Yerong Creek Estate is situated in a picturesque setting nestled in the Yerong Creek Valley. Early setbacks, including a vineyard bushfire in 1997, have serviced to ignite the passion of winery owners Rob and Julie Yates who have since gone on to produce some of the Riverina's most sort-after labels. The estate's first-release fortified wine, "Spirit of Yerong" from the 2004 vintage, has won two prestigious industry awards. The rugged cellar door has a warm atmosphere and a lovely rural vista.
"Barwon", RMB 427, Olympic Highway Yerong Creek
(02) 6920 3569
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