Allonville Motel In Wagga Wagga NSW

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Things to See and Do in Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is a regional centre for the Riverina Region with a population of approximately 57 000. Located on the Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga is halfway between Sydney and Melbourne and a two hour drive from Canberra. The name 'Wagga Wagga' is taken from from a local Aboriginal word meaning 'place of many crows'. Locals call it Wagga.


Wagga has a collection of fine buildings, tree-lined streets, parks and gardens. Wagga is an agricultrual centre based on wheat, dairy, mixed farming and fat lambs and wool. The Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre is the premier livestock market in Australia. Established in 1979, each year about 1½ million sheep and 130,000 cattle are sold through the Centre. Wagga is also a regional education centre With the Charles Sturt University and the Riverina Institute of TAFE. The Kapooka Army Recruit Training Base and a Royal Australian Air Force base are major Australian Defence Force establishments.

The Wiradjuri people are the traditional aboriginal land owners of Wagga Wagga. European settlers arrived in Wagga in the 1820s but it was the 1829 explorations of Charles Sturt, which opened the area up to settlers. Wagga became an important river crossing, situated as it was at the intersection of the north-south track between NSW and Victoria and the east-west track along the Murrumbidgee River.

Things to see in Wagga Wagga:   

	Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery and National Art Glass Collection
	The Museum of the Riverina is an historical museum displaying information about the people and events that have shaped Wagga and the region.
	The Botanic Gardens at the corner of Macleay St and Lord Baden Powell Drive include a mini zoo, aviary, themed gardens and miniature trains (first and third Sundays of the month). Free admission.
	Historic Buildings in Wagga display a rich history with Gothic Revival architecture in Cross St and St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (circa 1890). Other buildings of interest include St John's Church of England and St Michael's Catholic Cathedral.

 

Wiradjuri Walking Track is a 30 km trek that starts at the Visitor Information Centre and follows the banks of the Murrumbidgee and through town to Willands Hill where you'll see the Botanical Gardens. The track continues to Lake Albert, an ideal spot for picnics, boating and swimming. Then the track passes through a railway tunnel constructed in the 1870s and into Pomingalarna Park. From the Park you'll have fine views before the track descends to Flowerdale Lagoon and into the Wiradjuri Reserve. At the old wharf just past Hampden Bridge you'll find relics of the paddle steamer days. From here the track reaches Wagga Beach and returns to the Visitor's Centre. 

The RAAF Museum is near to Allonville Motel and home to an active RAAF base which houses 1600 personnel. There are 5 classic planes located at the entrance (admission is free).

Charles Sturt University Winery and Cheese Factory; both located at Charles Sturt University, on Coolamon Rd. Tours of the cheese factory occur every Wednesday at 1.00 p.m. Again, no admission, but bookings are recommended (tel: (02) 6933 2434).

Murrumbidgee River Cruises - 1 hours cruises leaving Thurs to Mon at 2.00 p.m. For more information ring (02) 6925 8700.

Other Attractions and Events

The National Horse Festival, the Australian Veterans Games and the Sydney Travelling Film Festival are held each year in March, the Country Energy Peo-Am, Gold Cup Racing Carnival and Wagga Stamp and Coin Fair in May, the
Veteran and Vintage Motor Rally in June, the Re-generate Youth Festival in July, the Junee to Wagga Marathon in August, the Wagga Jazz Festival, Wagga Psychic Expo and Henty Machinery Field days in September, and the Uranquinty Folk Festival, Wagga Agricultural Show, Wagga Picnic Races and Sunrise Rotary Garden and Leisure Festival in October.