Discover Wagga Wagga in New South Wales

Wagga Wagga, 'place of crows' in the language of the local Wiradjuri people, in New South Wales is the state's largest inland city. This city is made pretty by lovely gardens and wide tree-lined streets. The Murrumbidgee River winds it way round the northern end of Wagga and has wide girthed eucalypts and sandy banks.

Travel

Quantas Airlines (www.quantas.com.au) fly to Sydney and Rex (www.regionalexpress.com.au) flies to Melbourne.

There are the CountryLink buses (www.countrylink.info) that run to and from the Wagga Train Station (tel: 13 22 32, 02-6939 5488). You can make bookings in advance.

The XPT runs to Sydney Central and Melbourne.

Greyhound (www.greyhound.com.au) run to Melbourne and Sydney

Or you can take the Firefly Express (www.fireflyexpress.com.au)

To Do

Ok, you have arrived and it's time to have some fun.

Wagga Wagga has a population of 46,735 or thereabouts and is not difficult to navigate.

You will find the visitors center (www.visitwaggawagga.com.au) close to the river on Tarcutta Street.

The main street runs from north to south with the south end being Baylia Street and the northern end changing to Fitzmaurice Street.

The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery (www.waggartgallery.com.au) is located at the Civic Center. This is also home to the fantastic National Art Glass Gallery.

Open Tues-Sat - 10am -5pm & Sun - noon - 4pm

The Botanic Gardens (Macleay Street)- The Botanic Gardens is home to a zoo where peacocks and geese roam free. You will find the entrance near the archway that tells you that you are entering Lord Baden Powell Drive. This drive in fact leads to a great lookout and the picturesque Captain Cook Drive.

Open - Sunrise- sunset

The Wiradjuri Walking Track- This is a circuit of 30km that begins at the visitor center. I would recommend that you purchase a map from the visitor center. Along the circuit you will see some great lookouts and places of Aboriginal significance.

The Wagga Wagga Winery (www.waggawaggawinery.com.au) - This winery is out of town on the Gundagai Road and serves some superb barbecue meals.

Accommodation

You will find many motels in Wagga Wagga especially along Tarcutta Street. I have listed a few below:

Romana's Hotel (www.romanoshotel.com.au, on the corner of Sturt Street and Fitzmaurice Street) - This hotel is located in an old pub with charming rooms, imposing beds, old bathrooms and high ceilings.

Tip - The second floor is quieter so when booking ask for a room on this floor.

Dunns B&B (www.dunnsbedandbreakfast.com.au, 63 Mitchelmore Street) - This is a federation home that offers the use of three rooms with bathrooms. The house itself is pristinely decorated and you can use the private balcony and sitting room. Here breakfast is included with the room rate.

Prince of Wales Motel (www.princeofwalesmotel.com.au, 143 Fitzmaurice Street) - Another quaint pub with cozy rooms, some also have mini-bars and spas. The Prince of Wales Motel is situated in the heart of the town.

Wagga Wagga Beach Caravan Park(www.wwbcp.com.au, 2 Johnston Street) - For a more informal stay then a cabin here could be just the thing. You can choose from standard or deluxe cabins. The great thing about the park is that it has a swimming beach fashioned from the river.

Dining

The only difficult here is choosing where to go. Below are few ideas:

Cache Store of Food (236 Baylis Street) - Whether you choose to sit inside or out you will find the coffee excellent and you will find that this café has the market covered when it come to creative mini pizzas or sandwiches.

Café Lulaba (10 Best Street) - A cheery spot and well known for its Dhal curry but the quiche is awfully good too.

Magpies Nest (20 pine Gully Road) - This enchanting restaurant is located in an 1860's stone stable that overlooks the Murrumbidgee River and is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The food served here is delicious and regional with a hint of Tuscany.

Three Chefs (70 Morgan Street) - This is the place to come for a white tablecloth fine dining experience that has a warm and friendly atmosphere.

So should you find yourself traveling through New South Wales take some time to stopover in Wagga Wagga and enjoy some true hospitality.

Source: Australia - The Lonely Planet