Things to do in Southwest & The Murray
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Magpies Nest
A delightfully informal restaurant set in a restored 1860s stone stable overlooking the Murrumbidgee River flats and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The fare is regional with a hint of Tuscany, and my, it's good.
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La Tavola
The tacky decor is all part of the Italian experience at this restaurant dishing up favourites such as chicken al funghi, pepper steak, saltimbocca, a darn good La Tavola Special pizza and the like.
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Bradman Museum of Cricket
Bowral is also where the late great cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, undoubtedly Australia’s greatest sporting hero and legendary to the point of sainthood, spent his boyhood. There’s a cricket ground here and fans pay homage at the Bradman Museum of Cricket, which has an engrossing collection of Ashes and Don-centric memorabilia that even cricket-loathers admit is worthwhile.
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Botanic Gardens
Has a small zoo, geese and peacocks roam free here, and there's a free-flight aviary. The entrance is just before the archway telling you you're entering Lord Baden Powell Dr, which itself leads to a good lookout and the scenic Captain Cook Dr.
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Willows Museum & Ned Kelly Post Office
Some 92km east of Deniliquin and on the Newell Hwy, Jerilderie is immortalised by the bushranger Ned Kelly, who held up the whole town for three days in 1879. Kelly relics can be seen in Willows Museum & Ned Kelly Post Office. The town is 109km south of Narrandera.
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Three Chefs
A white-tablecloth, fine-dining place, Three Chefs has kept a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant has a penchant for delicious ‘desert spring rolls’ with fillings that change weekly. The lounge bar is open from noon Thursday and Friday, from 5pm Saturday.
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Michelin
The elegant dining room is just the start. Chef Antony More prepares stunning Mod Oz meals like spiced lamb rump with eggplant caviar, Persian fetta pepperoncini and olive crusted kipfler potatoes. The reputation is well deserved.
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Museum of the Riverina
The museum operates from both the Civic Centre and the Botanic Gardens; the latter site focuses on Wagga's people, places and events and includes a Sporting Hall of Fame. FYI many famous AFL players come from Wagga.
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Area Hotel
Area Hotel is the in-place this week. Revamped but still gloriously ugly in that grey-and-pink carpet, brown wall, backless bar stool sort of way, it features local bands and has regular jukebox parties.
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Pioneer Park Museum
High on a hill north of the town centre is a re-creation of an early Riverina village, with an old hospital, a music room and other fascinating displays in original old buildings.
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Altina Wildlife Park
Nearby at Darlington Point is 207 hectares of natural bush on the banks of the Murrumbidgee where the exotic residents, including giraffes, bison and camels, live in natural enclosures.
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Albury Regional Art Gallery
The newly renovated Albury Regional Art Gallery has a small permanent collection featuring works by Russell Drysdale and Fred Williams, contemporary Australian photography, a reading room and a shop.
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Star Hotel
This local favourite has a huge beer garden out the back and a front bar with pool tables where the gregarious owners will keep you entertained. It’s a little off the main drag but worth the walk down Olive St.
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Crossing Café
This place has an outdoor deck overlooking an idyllic riverside setting. The menu focuses on quality rather than quantity. Think: Thai beef salad, eggs Benedict, gourmet burgers.
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Wagga Wagga Jazz Festival
The Wagga Wagga Jazz Festival, held each September, hosts international and national musicians who play in a variety of locations. The festival is well regarded, and prices for single sessions are reasonable.
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Wombeyan Caves
The convoluted but spectacular, limestone Wombeyan Caves are at the end of an unsealed mountain road 65km northwest of Mittagong. Nearby are walking trails and plenty of wildlife.
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Wonga Wetlands
See over 120 bird species and an Indigenous camp site established by local Wiradjuri people at this innovative project to restore local wetlands using treated waste water. Call for tour information.
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Long Paddock Café
This is the best food option in Hay, with plenty of tables and a selection of tasty gourmet burgers, focaccias and sandwiches. Plans for a new grill and evening opening hours are afoot.
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Crow Bar
It has cheap drinks and a line-up of local bands; visitors are welcome - get a student to sign you in. You'll be mixing with a spunky 18 to 28 year-old group from all over the world.
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Civic Theatre
The Civic has a booking office, not only for its own productions but for much of the locally created entertainment, from youth theatre to performances by the Riverina Conservatorium.
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Cache Store of Food
Located opposite Myer on the main street, this cafe has the creative sandwich, mini pizza and pastry market covered. The coffee is good and there are tables aplenty inside and out.
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G at Globe Hotel
It's a bit dingy outside, then wow! Inside there are soaring pressed-tin ceilings, white tablecloths and fine food including classics such as scotch fillet topped with king prawns.
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Livestock Sales
Wagga is a major centre for livestock sales; you can watch farmers sell cattle on Monday in an amphitheatre-style ring, and sheep by the thousands on Thursday.
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Nabiha's Kitchen
A small Lebanese takeaway (with tables) where everything is cooked in front of you. The menu includes Indian and vegetarian options, home-grown vegetables and free-range eggs.
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Simply Fed
Off Dean St, this cute cafe with a hint of Melbourne laneway culture about it has a counter full of tasty, filling lunches such as lasagne, as well as sandwiches and salads.
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