Wagga Beach: Riverina tourism hot spots that put Wagga on the map
The beach might get all the attention but there are plenty of other tourist ‘must-sees' when heading to the Riverina. Check out the hot spots generating plenty of buzz.
The Wagga News
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Inland Wagga Beach might not your average rolling waves and surf spot but its inclusion last year in the nation’s top 20 tourist sites made a few headlines.
Judged and announced in December by beach expert and Tourism Australia ambassador Brad Farmer, the beach’s inclusion sparked discussions about its validity and about what exactly is a beach.
One thing, however, was clear: it was a massive boost to visitors and tourism.
And of course, across the Riverina, there are other plenty of other attractions overdue for recognition.
THE BIG PLAYABLE GUITAR, NARRANDERA
Goulburn has the Big Merino, Duranbah has the Big Avocado and the Sunshine Coast has the Big Pineapple.
But none of those are playable like the Big Playable Guitar in Narrandera.
The attraction was built in 1988 to help promote the country Music Club of Narrandera.
Tiffany Thorton - marketing, tourism and economic development coordinator - at Narrandera Shire Council aid the attraction was unique in the region.
“Made from plywood by ex-Narrandera resident Robert Palmer, the guitar took more than 300 hours to complete,” Ms Thorton said.
“Played as a bass guitar, two musicians are necessary to play the guitar due to its size.”
After the dimensions of the guitar were authenticated, the claim to be the World’s Largest Playable Guitar was accepted by and included in the 1991 edition of the Guinness Book of Records.
Measuring 5.8m long and 2.02m wide, the guitar held this record until 2000, when a team of students and their teacher at the Academy of Science and Technology in Conroe, Texas, constructed one that was 13.3m long and 5m wide that weighs 1018kg.
ALTINA WILDLIFE PARK, DARLINGTON POINT
It started as a dream by a Griffith-based Gloria Altin and her late husband, Gino. Fifteen years later, it continues to grow into a breeding facility that helps save endangered animals.
Situated 40 minutes south of Griffith, the zoo is a family-run breeding facility set on a bush property on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Gloria Altin and her three children, who are also working alongside her, last year celebrated the zoo’s 15th anniversary.
They also launched a five-year conservation plan that includes acquiring more than 10 new species, such as the golden lion tamarins and cheetah.
Visitors may also get involved in the zoo’s conservation programs.
ROCKING HORSE RESTORATIONS, LEETON
Travel back in time to see the remarkable craftsmanship and eye for detail at Rocking Horse Restorations.
Founder and restorer Libby Bailey said she began the venture to restore old wooden rocking horses in the early 2000s to help her battle with mental health issues.
“I found an old secondhand one in a shop near Wagga and bought it home to restore it,” Ms Bailey said.
“I then restored a few others’ horses before setting up a website - that took and I had horses from other people in every state.”
The Leeton local said she now has lost count of how many she has in her collection, which includes imports from the UK and US.
“Most visitors come through on coaches during festivals in Leeton and Griffith,” she said.
“They just go wow.”
Ms Bailey said the largest rocking horse she has is the size of a pony.
JUNEE LICORICE AND CHOCOLATE FACTORY, JUNEE
Chocolate lovers don’t need golden tickets to pass through the doors of this factory.
Opening every day except Christmas, the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory has become an institution not only in the Junee township of about 6200 people, but also the wider Riverina region.
The family-run factory has been offering its confectioneries since 1998.
Neil Druce, who runs the factory with his wife and children, said they wanted a tourist site that was opened “every day so everyone can enjoy what’s on offer”.
“There’s more than one thing to do (at the factory),” Mr Druce said.
“People enjoy different things - whether that’s chocolate, licorices, or wanting to learn about food.
“Others come for lunch and there’s a really good gift store upstairs.
“And then there’s the building itself and our staff are really friendly.”
Mr Druce said the factory was “a bit of a gamble because we started it from scratch”.
PADDY’S RIVER FALLS, TUMBARUMBA
For those seeking a splash of refreshing, cold relief from the summer sun, they should take the winding road heading south of Tumbarumba.
Nestled away just 15 minutes away from the town in the Kosciuszko National Park is Paddy’s River Falls.
The 18-metre high waterfall is surrounded by many wonderful viewpoints, native bush tracks and camping grounds.
Visitors may walk behind and swim at the foot of the waterfall, as well as trekking up to the lookout to see the falls and landscape downstream.
The drive to the falls along Tooma Road from Tumbarumba is a therapeutic 18km meander through the countryside.
CASCADES NURSERY, BATLOW
Batlow may be well known for its apples nationally and internationally, but its cool climate is also conducive to a strong nursery and garden industry.
Cascades Nursery, run by Manda and Ian McCorkindale, puts on display trees of various colours, sizes and shapes.
The nursery specialises in a large range of deciduous ornamental trees along with shrubs and hedging.
Its range of trees includes the well known varieties of trees such as maples, poplar trees, elms, birches, dogwoods, beech and crab apples.
Cascades also carry a range of rare and unusual trees specifically for the cold climate, as well as various fruit trees and berries.
CATANIA FRUIT SALAD FARM, GRIFFITH
When visiting the Griffith area, one needs to experience the Catania Fruit Salad Farm in Hanwood, about 10mk south of Griffith.
After all, the area is situated in Australia's largest irrigation area - the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
Catania is a family owned farm where you can view and gain an understanding of how various horticulture and viticulture crops are grown.
The journey begins with a look around the original mud-brick home built in 1912 and a bus ride around the farm.
The farm produces various fruits and nuts that are sampled on tour.
Visitors may enjoy jams, mustard, prunes, pickles and traditional Sicilian preservative wine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Are there other tourism sites in the Riverina that deserve as much praise as Wagga Beach? Let us know at toby.vue@news.com.au.