Feeling like the travel bug is taking hold, but don’t want to go too far? You don’t even need to leave the Riverina to get your fill of new sights and experiences. Here is a handy guide to the Riverina leaving from Wagga and touring the next five days.
Day One: Wagga to Adelong to Tumut
With an idyllic – and relatively easy – drive up the mountains, you will find yourself at the Adelong Falls.
An easy walk from the car park, wheel chair accessible, leads to the viewing platform. For the more nimble, pathways lead down to Adelong Creek and the ruins.
By foot, cross over the swinging bridge, which can be found by walking down the path beside the Swinging Bridge Café in the centre of town. Take the left-hand path and follow Adelong Creek to the ruins.
This hidden gem is the perfect spot for a picnic, taking some stunning photographs or to cool off in some of the deeper pools.
Make sure to enjoy your picnic lunch before hopping into the car to continue the road trip.
Next up is Tumut – 22 minutes
From Adelong, it is a short drive east towards Tumut, a charming base for enjoying the natural wonders, outdoor adventures and delicious produce of the NSW Snowy Mountains.
You’ll enjoy fishing, boating, waterskiing and swimming at Blowering Dam, where Ken Warby set the world water-speed record in 1978.
A wonderful way to explore the striking landscapes is on the Wiradjuri Aboriginal Cultural Tour into northern Kosciuszko National Park.
A must-do is a tour at the Tumut River Brewing Co. Stop in for dinner and enjoy a couple of locally crafted beers as well.
There are plenty of places to stay from Russellee Bed and Breakfast to the Boutique Motel Sefton House or even the Riverglade Caravan Park if you’re taking your motorhome.
For a full list of accommodation in Tumut click here.
Day Two: Tumut to Batlow to Tumbarumba
On to Batlow – 26 minutes
You can pick your own apples and other fresh produce at farm gates, Wilgro Orchards features a roadside stall selling apples and cherries during the picking season and at the Mouat’s Farm shop you can buy apples and cherries in season as well as free range eggs, homemade jams and local honey.
For lovers of beef, Gilmore Braes Heritage Beef offers a tour of its Scottish Highland cattle farm on the first Sunday of the month and includes a three-course lunch – bookings are essential.
Enjoy bushwalking trails and mountain biking in Kosciuszko National Park and horseriding and fishing are popular ways to experience the spectacular high country.
Time to go to Tumbarumba – 28 minutes
The historic gold rush town of Tumbarumba is an ideal base too for getting to the Mount Selwyn and Thredbo snowfields in the skiing season.
The Tumbarumba wine region is known for pinot noir and chardonnay. You can visit cellar doors at Courabyra Wines and Tumbarumba Wines Escape for a meal and a taste of the region’s wine.
Marvel at rugged high-country stockmen’s feats at the Boggy Creek Show and take a stroll through the towering Sugar Pines of Sugarpine Walk. On the edge of Kopsens Road, half a kilometre from Batlow-Tumbarumba Road at Laurel Hill, this cathedral of beautiful 500 metres tall pines is breathtaking.
Book a night at the quirky 4 Bears Cafe or the Magenta Cottage Accommodation.
For a full list of accommodation in Tumbarumba click here.
Day Three: Tumbarumba to Lockhart to Narrandera
Off to Lockhart – Two hours
Break up the drive to Narrandera with a stop in ‘the Verandah Town’.
With beautifully restored buildings, with verandahs and ornate iron lacework, enjoy a stroll on the main street for gift shops and specialty stores.
Stop overnight in Narrandera – 47 minutes
If you love the great outdoors, there is nowhere greater in the Riverina than Narrandera.
Explore the natural beauty with free camping on the river, bird watching at the wetlands or biking and hiking on the three connecting trails. Anyone who has grown up in the area will also know the Lake Talbot Swimming Complex.
For a full list of places to eat, things to do and accommodation in Narrandera click here.
Day Four: Narrandera to Darlington Point to Griffith
Check out Darlington Point – 40 minutes
Just out of town is the expansive Altina Wildlife Park where personalised, open-air cart tours wind through the grounds amongst river red gums.
Observe the many native birds and animals as well as the more exotic animals that roam in large, open-styled enclosures, such as African lions and wild dogs, bison, zebras, meerkats and giraffes.
Spend the night in Griffith – 27 minutes
While the drive itself is nothing to write home about, a feast for the senses awaits in the Riverina’s second biggest centre.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are sold at roadside stalls around the city, while the town’s restaurants and eateries rival anything you’ll find in the big cities. Make sure to grab a tasty treat from Bertoldo’s.
Take a wander up Scenic Hill and check out the ruins of the Griffith Hermit’s series of living areas or visit one of the many cellar doors at wineries around the city.
Explore the Griffith Italian Museum in the Pioneer Park Museum, which spans over 30 historic buildings and for art lovers, check out the Griffith Regional Art Gallery.
For a full list of accommodation in Griffith click here.
Day Five: Griffith to Coolamon to Junee to Wagga
Don’t forget Coolamon – 1 hour 36 minutes
You can’t complete a trip around the Riverina without stopping in the stunning town of Coolamon.
Taste the handmade cheese at the Coolamon Cheese and explore the retailers in the town.
When you’ve had enough of tasting the cheese and shopping in the town take a stroll through the Kindra State Forest.
The 52 hectares of remnant bushland is the perfect place for picnics, birdwatching and bushwalking. The main entrance to the forest is on Lewis Street.
There is a range of bike and walking trails which wind through the forest giving you the opportunity to explore the native flora and fauna while learning about the area from the interpretive signage installed along the tracks.
Other attractions include the Up-To-Date Store and the Coolamon Railway Station.
Time for Junee – 30 minutes
Only in this town could you get a chocolate fix and an adrenaline rush.
The Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory has everything you need to satisfy your cravings with plenty of chocolates to choose from and a cafe providing both the sweet and savoury.
Open seven days, take a guided tour and witness the creation of organic licorice and chocolate products under the brand Green Grove Organics. For the more creative souls, why not make your own giant chocolate freckle or rocky road?
For those who love a good scare, check out the Monte Cristo Homestead.
In 2016, popular horror blogger Rob Dyke has named it in the top 10 most haunted places in the world.
It will set a chill down your spine, just keep an eye out for any spirits.
Time to head on home – 31 minutes
After five days of seeing what’s on offer, you’re probably ready to come on home. Don’t be afraid however to stretch the road trip out even longer because there is a lot more to the Riverina than what you can see in five days.
