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New South Wales: Riverina Directory


About the area: the Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales, bordered on the south by the state of Victoria and on the east by the Great Dividing Range. Its ample supply of water for irrigation is taken from the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop into one of the most productive and agriculturally diverse areas of Australia.
In the Riverina, the local industry is geared towards growing fruit, so one could rightly expect that the locals know a thing or two about food and wine. Such is the case - you are never far from a winery - and the food served here is equal in excellence.
Bushrangers and riverboats feature prominently in the history and development of the Riverina and as expected, there are plenty of relics from the past to bring the riverboat, gold rush and bushranging eras of yesteryear back to life.

Wagga Wagga: the state's largest and the country's fifth largest inland city, Wagga Wagga (pronounced Wogga) is a well laid out, major regional and administrative centre for the Riverina district. It is New South Wales' largest inland city and is a major centre for Tertiary Education.

Junee: an old railway town that has long been a favourite with visitors, boasting one of the southern hemispheres largest operating railway roundhouses, and its adjunct museum the Junee Railway Roundhouse Museum - with engines and rolling stock from every era of Australian rail.

Cootamundra: a large rural centre located at a major junction on the Sydney-Melbourne railway line. The town has numerous historical connections - it is the birthplace of famous cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman; a major airport between Sydney and Melbourne in the early days of aviation; the region was the haunt of bushranger Frank Gardiner.

Griffith: the regional service centre for the vast Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area - one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia. Thanks to irrigation Griffith is rich in agriculture and it is only appropriate that the city is known as Australia's "Wine and Food Country". Fine wines, international standard restaurants, a wide range of fresh produce and opportunities to visit farms are only a small part of the varied experiences available.

Jerilderie: small rural township, that etched its place in history when bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang arrived on Saturday, 8th February, 1879 and took over for a few days. His gang took the town's 30 residents hostage before cutting the telegraph wires into the town, robbing the bank of £2,140 and handing over Kelly's famous Jerilderie Letter which explained and justified Kelly's actions.

Tocumwal: a service town on the northern bank of the Murray River. Its location has made it an increasingly popular tourist destination of late. Aside from tourism, wheat, dairy products, barley, rice, wool, cattle, pigs and citrus fruits all contribute to the local economy.

Deniliquin: a central Riverina service centre that is surrounded by rivers and lagoons. The town lies at the centre of four irrigation districts which cover 725 000 hectares, the largest area under irrigation in Australia. Deniliquin markets itself as the Utility Capital of the World.

Finley: medium-sized town in the Riverina servicing the Berriquin Irrigation Area that surrounds it. The district produces wool, wheat, fat lambs, rice, dairy products, vegetables, cereals, cattle and pigs.

Harden / Murrumburrah: the twin towns of Harden and Murrumburrah are the service towns for a rich grain and stock producing region. Historic Murrumburrah was gazetted as a town in 1858. The village atmosphere of Murrumburrah is fostered by its fine 19th and early 20th century buildings.

Temora: service town for an agricultural region known for its sheep and wheat. Temora has one of the state's largest inland grain storage terminals. The town is also a centre for harness racing with numerous trotting studs throughout the district.

Leeton: a service and administrative centre to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and centre for rice growing in the region. The Leeton Sunrice Country Festival is held every second Easter.

Hay: a major regional centre and service town in the heart of the Riverina. The Uardry sheep property supplied the image of the ram for the former Australian shilling. Originally just a pastoral centre for Merino sheep farmers, Hay's economy was substantially increased by irrigation in the 1950s.

Corowa: a sizeable service town on the Murray River, its local agricultural industries include the raising of fat stock, wool, cereals and wine grapes. Corowa hosts the week-long Federation Festival each February.

Lake Cargelligo: a small service town in the heart of the Riverina district. The agricultural products cultivated in the area include wheat, wool, fat lambs, fruit and vegetables. Recreational activities on the lake after which the town is named include skiing, sailing, fishing, jet skiing and swimming.

West Wyalong: a former goldmining town that is now an important service centre to an agricultural area that produces wheat, wool, pigs, eucalyptus oil, timber and farm machinery.

Narrandera: a service town in the heart of the Riverina district. With its historic buildings and cedar-lined streets, Narrandera has been declared an urban conservation area by the National Trust.

Temora Aviation Museum: one of Australia's finest regional museums, it displays 16 military aircraft of historical significance to Australia. Aircraft Showcase Days are held on the first and third Saturday of every month. Visitors will witness the aircraft being towed from the hangar and watch the pre-flight inspection, servicing and refuelling as it takes place in front of them, before the aircraft takes flight. More >>

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