Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 (Pop 44 300/region 58 000)
Pic: Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is the state’s largest inland city. Situated on the Murrumbidgee River, it is halfway between Sydney (452 km n-e) and Melbourne (456 km s-w). Original inhabitants were the Wiradjuri Aborigines whose name for the area meant ‘place of many crows’. White settlement began in 1830s and was enhanced by the railway (1878). Today it is a city of parks, gardens, fine buildings and successful wheat, dairying and pastoral industries. Together with a university and TAFE Institute, there is an army training base and airforce base. National Horse Festival, Australian Veterans Games, Sydney Traveling Film Festival (Mar), Veteran & Vintage Motor Rally (June), Wagga Jazz Festival (Sept), Wagga Agricultural Show (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery and National Art Glass Collection, Baylis Sts.  Open (10am-5pm) Tues – Sat and (midday-4pm) Sun. Free entry. The Museum of the Riverina (located at two sites) - Baylis St the museum has a number of traveling exhibitions. The Historical Museum - Lord Baden Powell Dr features Wagga historical displays as well as the Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame. Open (10am-5pm) Tues-Sat and (midday-4pm) Sun. Free entry. Botanic Gardens, Macleay St with a mini zoo and aviary. Free entry. Historic Wagga includes a Gardiner St cottage (1830s), St Michael's Catholic Cathedral (1887), Post Office (1888), St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (c.1890),  Courthouse complex (1900).

Nearby:
Lake Albert (7 km south) (1890s) covers 125 ha and ideal for watersports, bushwalking and birdwatching. Wiradjuri Walking Track 30 km track (can be divided into shorter sections) follows the Murrumbidgee River and includes the viaduct (1890s), Willands Hill, Botanic Gardens, Lake Albert, Pomingalarna Park, Flowerdale Lagoon, Wiradjuri Reserve,  Hampden Bridge and Wagga Beach. The Wollundry Loop (10 km) forms a section of the Track. RAAF Museum (10 km east) covers the RAAF history in the area and has 5 assorted planes at the entrance. Open (10am-3pm.) Free entry. Junee (41 km n-e) several buildings and museums of historic interest. The Rock (32 km s-w) small town with unusual scenery and good walking trails.

Accommodation:
Wagga has 25 motels, almost 20 hotels, a dozen B&Bs, 14 holiday cottages/units, 3 farmstays and 7 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Tarcutter St. Tel (02) 6926 9621.

Airport:
Wagga Wagga Airport (WGA) off Sturt Hwy, Forest Hill. (12 km s-e of CBD).

Hospital:
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Edward St. Tel (02) 6938 6666.