Pick your time frame:
1-2 hours: Gallery gallivant
Wagga Wagga may be a few hours' drive from Australia’s cultural capital, but our flourishing arts scene gives Melbourne a real run for its money. While you’re in town uncover the creative side of our city, with public art, laneway murals, galleries and workshops. It’s incredible how much can be done with just an hour or two of downtime, especially if your conference is in or around central Wagga Wagga.
Behind Wagga Wagga’s Fitzmaurice Street’s cafes, eateries and boutique store is a sprawling collection of larger than life murals dotted along the Cadell Place laneway. So grab yourself a coffee and head for a wander with camera in hand for a slice of Hosier Lane right here in Wagga Wagga. Choose to check them out at ground level or take a bird’s eye view from the top of the Wiradjuri Trail beside the Murrumbidgee River. That’s not all though: if heritage is more your style you’ll find some incredible period architecture nearby, like the stunning courthouse – recognisable by its tall clock tower.
Time permitting, head to the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery which features the best international, national and local exhibitions and is home to the National Art Glass Collection. You’ll also want to pay a visit to the nearby Museum of the Riverina – Historic Council Chambers Site. View locally curated and touring exhibitions and learn more about our city’s history, stories and personas.
Full day: Arts adventure
After exploring the culture of our city in the 1-2 hour itinerary above, why not get the team together and get hands on with some creatives workshops and experiences?
Little Triffids is a floral design studio and micro-flower farm where you can create your very own floral creation using flowers grown on site. Workshops are available by appointment and can be catered for team building activities. Get curious and crafty at The Curious Rabbit located on Johnston Street, who offer weekly art classes, craft activities, and feature monthly art exhibitions by talented local artists.
If you’d rather immerse yourself in history and heritage than a paint pot, you’ll love the following museums:
- Located in the original Presentation Sisters covent you will find the Mount Erin Heritage Centre
- View artefacts and memorabilia representing over 80 years if Air Force history at the RAAF Wagga Aviation Centre.
- Train enthusiasts will love the Wagga Wagga Rail Heritage Museum.
Road trip heritage and arts trail
Enjoy the above itineraries in Wagga Wagga and venture further to our beautiful surrounds to explore the extraordinary arts and artisans, history and heritage of the Riverina. Start in Wagga Wagga, choose a direction and let the adventure unfold. Any which way you travel, there are rich histories, local legends and stories to be uncovered.
North of Wagga Wagga, wander through Coolamon's heritage main street and view the 1900s Up-to-Date Store with its original fittings and displays. The store is also home to the Gullaman, Garth Jones, Mavis Furner and Reg Godde Collections. See how firefighting has evolved at the Coolamon Fire Museum, which is home to thousands of firefighting items from all over Australia and the world.
Junee is a short half-hour drive from Wagga Wagga and is brimming with beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the 1800's. Railway enthusiasts will be mesmerised by the largest working railway roundhouse in the southern hemisphere, and if that's not enough, be sure to take a visit to the Bethungra Rail Spiral, one of only two 360-degree rail spirals of its type in Australia.
Heading south, Greater Hume is dripping in rich history with each town and village boasting a unique identity for visitors to immerse themselves in. Visit museums experiencing agricultural innovation in Henty, submerge yourself in submarine heritage at Holbrook or learn about early Scottish and German pioneers in museums in Jindera, Culcairn, Holbrook and Wymah. Immerse yourself in the legend of Mad Dan Morgan, the famous bushranger who terrorised the district in 1860's.
Lockhart is where you’ll find the Lockhart Sculpture and Heritage Trail which will take you on an artistic journey through the town centre, revealing an incredible collection of farm art sculptures on permanent display. Next, view the stunning Lockhart Water Tower Mural, which features a cascading waterfall, soaring brolgas and vibrant native fauna and flora depicted in their natural habitats. Continue the Lockhart arts trail and head to the Green’s Gunyah Museum situated in the main street of Lockhart. View historical artefacts, photography, old machinery and the art gallery of Doris Golder which features a collection of portraits of notable Australians as well as local landscapes and animals.
From the birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman, to the iconic Dog on the Tuckerbox, the Cootamundra and Gundagai region is steeped in Australian history. In Cootamundra, stop by the Heritage Centre, located in a former railway barracks built in 1927. Bradman’s Birthplace Museum has been lovingly restored and filled with memorabilia, while the Captains Walk in Jubilee Park features sculptures of Australia's Test cricket captains. Soak up more local history at the Gundagai Museum and Heritage Railway Museum and be sure to visit Captain Moonlite's resting place and see the sculpture honouring Wiradjuri flood heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky.
After a day out on the road, head back to Wagga Wagga and finish the day with dinner, drinks and a show at the Civic Theatre. See what’s on here.
