TRAILS
Our Hilltops Region offers a host of experiences to soothe after a busy working week, or stimulate the senses and the appetite. Explore this page to plan where you'll go and what to do as you explore our beautiful Hilltops Region.
With accommodation, food and wine to comfort and cosset, we're a convenient and welcoming destination for those wanting fresh local produce, to explore history, to exercise, to enjoy the natural world or just to unwind. Treat yourself to the Hilltops food experience on the Hilltops Food and Wine Trail. Find a treasure on the Heritage and Antiques trail. Fill your lungs and stretch your legs and explore Waterfalls, Panoramic Views and River Walks. on the Nature and Outdoors trail. As the seasons change so do the landscapes. All three trails take you through rolling agricultural scenery. During Spring time our region is framed by brilliant bright yellow canola landscapes. Whichever season you choose you'll be truly blown away by our beautiful scenery.
Waterfalls, Panoramic Views and River Walks.
KOORAWATHA
The Small village of Koorawatha is your gateway to the Hilltops Region from Cowra.
Koorawatha Falls and Koorawatha Nature Reserve - located on the Illunie Range are favoured for bird watching and family picnics. The waterfalls are at their best after rainfall- diminishing to a trickle after prolonged dry periods. Note, access to the Falls parking area is by 4-wheel drive vehicles or foot only. Sturdy footwear is recommended for your trek to the falls.
EXPLORE KOORAWATHA
BEN HALL'S CAVE - WEDDIN MOUNTAIN RESERVE
Ben Hall's Cave, reputed to be Ben’s hideout cave has been preserved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Situated on the western side of Weddin Mountain the cave is a sprightly 30-minute walk with a great view of the surrounding farmland. The Weddin mountains have three marked walking tracks. The walk up to Ben Hall’s Cave, the magnificent Eualdrie and Peregrine Lookouts and the Weddin Gap walking track.
EXPLORE BEN HALL'S CAVE - WEDDIN MOUNTAIN RESERVE
TOUT'S LOOKOUT
Tout’s Lookout is an ideal vantage point to view the scenery along a dramatic rift valley known as Murringo Gap. Morning sunrise can be particularly spectacular - especially during Canola season when the surrounding landscape is a patchwork of brilliant yellow paddocks.
EXPLORE TOUT'S LOOKOUT
MURRINGO
A drive or walk along Murringo gap road will bring you to a small picnic area located next to the Murringo creek an ideal place to enjoy a picnic lunch and watch the local fauna. Wallabies can often be spotted along the roads especially in the early morning or at dusk.
EXPLORE MURRINGO
BOOROWA
Once in Boorowa enjoy a walking trail along the Boorowa River. Keep an eye out for duck-billed platypus and Boorowa's iconic Superb Parrot. A perfect spot to take the bicycle.
EXPLORE BOOROWA
JUGIONG
Where the Murrumbidgee flows, enjoy seasonal Murray Cod and Trout fishing opportunities - ask a local for favoured fishing spots! Or bring the canoe and go for a paddle down the river. Pitch your tent here for the night and watch the stars fill up the night sky.
EXPLORE JUGIONG
Tantalise your tastebuds through the food, wine and local produce offerings.
JUGIONG
Set on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, Jugiong is a popular rest stop for thousands of Sydney - Melbourne travelers; stock up on local wines at the Jugiong Wine Cellar, call into the recently restored, historic Sir George or visit the country style Long Track Pantry
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HARDEN - MURRUMBURRAH
The journey north from Jugiong towards Harden takes in rolling countryside. In historic Murrumburrah be sure to stop by the Light Horse Hotel for a beautiful meal or a deconstructed Gin board or visit the Irish Terracotta Restaurant.
EXPLORE HARDEN - MURRUMBURRAH
WOMBAT
The Wombat Grog Shed cellar door is open by appointment or visit the Wombat Pub for a wood-fired pizza to accompany a glass of local wine.
EXPLORE WOMBAT
YOUNG
With six cellar doors, Young is the heart of the Hilltops Wine Region, you can pick up a cellar door guide from the Young Region Visitor Information Centre located in the old railway station. For dinner visit one of our restaurants for delicious food and a glass of local wine. If you were after something a little more laid back, try a counter meal in one of Young’s local pubs and club. You will also find Chinese, Thai, Indian & Italian options.
EXPLORE YOUNG
BOOROWA
For a classic country, culinary experience you can’t go past the Boorowa Pubs, in winter sit by a wood fire with a hearty meal and a glass of local red.
EXPLORE BOOROWA
From country towns to small villages, history is built into the fabric of the Hilltops Region
RUGBY
Twenty minutes North-East of Boorowa, Rugby was built when the Walla Walla Mines operated. The community buildings give a fine display of brick work and the two churches sit perched along the slope on the opposite side of the road.
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BOOROWA
Begin at the Classical Court House and collect a copy of the Shamrock Trail, a sixty-minute walk that will take you to many of the heritage listed buildings in Boorowa, including St Patrick’s Church & the octagonal War Memorial.
EXPLORE BOOROWA
MURRINGO
The oldest village in the Hilltops Region, Murringo has several Georgian cottages. Fine stone buildings including the church & 1862 Schoolhouse line the main road. You will find Taubman & Webb Trading Post in the refurbished “Hancock’s Store”.
EXPLORE MURRINGO
KOORAWATHA
Take the Murringo Gap Road through the range of hills to Koorawatha at the northern edge of the region. The village was the site of a notable 1860’s-gun battle between Ben Hall's gang of bushrangers and the police at the Bang Bang Hotel. Close to the railway crossing you'll find 'Forgotten Times' a small antiques business open on weekends and public holidays.
EXPLORE KOORAWATHA
IANDRA CASTLE
Iandra Castle built in the Elizabethan style with a tall tower and 57 rooms is a private homestead open to the public on select days throughout the year, although visitors are welcome to look from the road any time. The property also features a Barn, Caretakers Cottage and Church.
EXPLORE IANDRA CASTLE
MONTEAGLE
On a Sunday, stop in at The Rustic Maze and Country Garden, located along Jerrybang Lane. Home to a wide Federation style homestead or visit the refurbished Shearers Quarters café for lunch. Travel on through the township and view the historic local cemetery on Sads Lane.
EXPLORE MONTEAGLE
YOUNG
First stop is the Young & Region Visitor Information Centre the 1885 Railway Station, to collect a copy of the Rotary Sponsored Young Heritage Walk. Highlights of the walk include the Great Court House built in 1886 & the Old Young Public School in the Free Classical Style.
EXPLORE YOUNG
WOMBAT
South of Young on the Olympic Highway is the village of Wombat - have a meal at the local pub, NSW's oldest continually licensed premises
EXPLORE WOMBAT
HARDEN MURRUMBURRAH
Follow the road through Wombat village and south towards the twin towns of Harden Murrumburrah. Distinctive church spires and towers give a dramatic silhouette to the twin towns. Visit the Harden Murrumburrah Visitor Information Centre for your copy of the Harden & Murrumburrah Trails. Built for the Railway both towns boast beautiful Brick Buildings including the Mechanics Institute in Harden’s main business district & The Murrumburrah School of Arts Building.
EXPLORE HARDEN MURRUMBURRAH
JUGIONG
Visit the lovingly restored Sir George Pub located on your left as you come into Jugiong or drive up the Hill to the Catholic Church of St John Evangelist (1850s). The Roam Catholic Cemetery sits on its own at the eastern edge of the village – one particularly interesting gravestone, with three crowns on top, was wrought by the famous marble-mason Rusconi of Gundagai.
EXPLORE JUGIONG
GALONG
Visit St Clement’s Monastery & Conference Centre in a historic monastery on a 300-hectre property. Galong also has a remarkable walled cemetery of historical significance.
EXPLORE GALONG
Discover the history and heritage of Young
YOUNG RAILWAY STATION
Trains arrived in Young 25 years after the Gold Rush began in 1860. Surveyors set the tracks on the longest level ground in the town : the Public School, Temperance and Masonic Halls and Congregational Church "in the road' were demolished. The station is a perfect example of the High Victorian era when the State was 'rolling in cash' from the mining boom : Italianate-Gothic of brick with (under the paint) sandstone dressings, high roofs and ornate cast-iron verandas. Daily, seven trains each way covered 30 kilometres to meet the main Sydney-Melbourne line at Harden; on Saturdays weddings were in the morning and bridal couples set off on their honeymoon on the 12:30pm train and the steam loco tooted "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" all the way up the hill. In 2008 the building was heritage listed after restoration and became Young's Visitor Information Centre. There have been moves to open the Harden to Blayney (via Cowra) line by private enterprise.
EXPLORE YOUNG RAILWAY STATION
BIG RED CHERRIES
Financed by several local businesses and orchardists to advertise the district as the leading cherry-producing centre in Australia. The soft-fruit industry began with Croatian immigrants arriving during the Gold Rush; they planted fruits they knew. Over the years cherry varieties have been selected to cope with the dry summer; the season lasts from November to mid January. Cherry Festival is late November/early December when the town attracts international backpackers and tourists.
EXPLORE BIG RED CHERRIES
EMPIRE HOTEL
A fine example of the Australian style of country hotel, "The Empire" is the only one in town retaining its original character (1880's), ornate cast-iron veranda and gabled brick parapets.
EXPLORE EMPIRE HOTEL
MAIN STREET (1)
This was the first street on the goldfield, starting at the Main Creek (now Burrangong Creek) where the first gold was found by Dennis Regan and Alexander the Yankee on the Lambing Flat in June 1860. The commercial district grew from the creek : tents or slab and bark huts - pubs, "shanties" (for drinking and gambling), Chinese opium dens and stores selling provisions, clothing and merchandise. From about 1870, Boorowa Street became the main business street, crossing Main Street at the next intersection. Although the importance of Main Street lessened, several Chinese traders continued here until the late 20th Century as green-grocers and general merchants. The lane to the right is called "Lightning Lane" because in 1889 the Borough Council of Young installed a steam power plant next to the Tow Hall to generate electricity (the first local government to provide lighting to streets and premises in the British Empire - ahead of Sydney, Melbourne or London). Power lines went along the lane as far as Mclerie Street.
On the right at he Boorowa Street intersection is the Commercial Hotel. Its red-brick arches and pan-tile roofs in the 1930's Art Deco 'Spanish' style. Across Boorowa Street in front of Raine & Home is a tablet commemorating the Centenary of Electric Power Supply - restored cast-iron street-lamps now stand at major intersections in the downtown area, their columns bedecked with twisty ribbons and tiny flowers.
The township walk along Boorowa Street displays Historical Markers describing early commercial buildings, banks, hotels and notably Millard's "The Big Store" and the Town Hall (1875 with 1922 War Memorial clock-tower).
EXPLORE MAIN STREET (1)
MAIN STREET (2)
The dog-leg alignment of this street is the last trace of the chaotic early settlement at Lambing Flat - 1861 Government surveyors laid out the street grid approximately in line with the compass points. The Heritage Walk proceeds on the eastern side of the street along the line of old shops (early 1900's). Their fronts are deeply panelled in timber; awnings are the original verandas suspended from steel rods when the posts were removed by Council by-law in 1955 (because they looked old-fashioned and "obstructed the pavement"). Directly over the road can be seen Federation Building - this was Billy Hayes' café, grocery and hardware business into the 1960's; Mr Hayes was one of the last Chinese traders in town. To the right are three old shop[s (with new fronts) which actually survive from the mining-boom era, the oldest buildings in town. For the first fifty years there were hotels on every corner hereabouts.
EXPLORE MAIN STREET (2)
SOUTHERN CROSS HALL (CINEMA)
Originally the Parish Hall for St Marys Roman Catholic Church - built by Dean Hennessy in 1924 a memorial to those who served in World War 1. It has the best dance floor in Young. By the 1990's redundant for Parish usage, it was acquired by Young Shire Council. Through hard work by local citizens and enabled by generous grants from local and state governments, it re-opened as a cinema and arts centre in 2004. The commodious building in the Federation style houses a foyer/mezzanine space, two studious and a 180-seat ranked auditorium, fully equipped with digital projection and surround-sound. Films are screened 6 days per week.
EXPLORE SOUTHERN CROSS HALL (CINEMA)
PATTERSON BROTHERS FUNERALS
Across the street is Young's oldest undertaking business. Patterson Brothers moved from Boorowa in 1906, having purchased the premise from Nielsen's one of the earliest undertakers. The façade dates from the Federation era, with it's distinctive gabled parapet; the little cottage next door (now a beauty parlour) is a remnant of the gold rush. Adjacent is the Temperance Hall built in 1884 to replace one demolished for the railway - made from local sandstone is a rustic classical style and now used by Local Land Services. Note the stone mounting block.
EXPLORE PATTERSON BROTHERS FUNERALS
HERITAGE WALK
Continue past Shell Service Station to cross Short Street via pedestrian refuge. Turn left and proceed to the alley and make a right turn; along this little passage is a rear view of some of the oldest premises in Young. #1 Tiny low-slung shops to the right were originally made of rough-hewn timber slabs and bark strips with bark or shingle roofs. They are over 150 years old, re-clad in modern materials. Contrast with the 1875 premises on the left of the alley and the looming three-storeyed brickwork of Millard's Department Store, built in 1917. Return to Short Street and continue to the pedestrian bridge over Burrangong Creek. This is the earliest site of the gold diggings, transformed into a park landscape by Service Club volunteers and local council. Ahead are the buildings of Hennessy Catholic Secondary College and the spire of St Marys Parish Church. Cross Dundas Street nd proceed uphill along Campbell Street.
EXPLORE HERITAGE WALK
ST. MARY'S CHURCH & PARISH OFFICE
The former infants School facing Campbell Street is now the Parish Centre and office for St Marys Catholic Parish; brick arches and elegant style - built 1934. The noble church (1874) is of local grey granite with Welsh slate roof; architect Andrea Stombucco (Italian Immigrant) designed several churches for the Goulburn Diocese and later in Brisbane. The 1931 belfry and spire (designed by Hennessey, Sydney) raised the height to 108 feet (32 metres). The church has twice been extended, most recently in 1959. Inside is simple Gothic Revival with a handsome scissors-beam roof and gorgeous stained glass and recent liturgical arrangements. Beside the nave a Celtic cross marks the grave of Monsignor Jerome Hennessy, the great builder-priest of Young (Parish Priest 1889-1895 and 1903-dying in office 1941). His monument states "public benefactor of Young for 50 years".
EXPLORE ST. MARY'S CHURCH & PARISH OFFICE
PRESENTATION CONVENT & CHAPEL / ST PAT'S SCHOOL (RIPON STREET)
Built in 1891 for the sisters of the Presentation Order who ran Catholic education for girls in Young (boys were taught by Christian Brothers). This charming building has ornate cast-iron verandas. The nuns chapel is early 20th Century. Now Hennessy Catholic Secondary College Admin Block. Along the street is St Patricks School, the oldest remaining school building on the campus (1895) with unusual double hall structure.
EXPLORE PRESENTATION CONVENT & CHAPEL / ST PAT'S SCHOOL (RIPON STREET)
OLD GAOL GATE
Across Ripon Street and up through Carrington Park to the Old Gaol Gate (1876). Built to hold 90 prisoners, the gaol specialised in making 'cabbage tree hats' from the fronds of coastal palms; the milliners house still stands in Campbell Street. The gaol closed in 1923 and most was demolished; remaining buildings form part of Young Campus of TAFE NSW.
EXPLORE OLD GAOL GATE
MEMORIAL TO JOHN & JAMES WHITE
Erected 1928, this monument celebrates the first European settlers in the district; James White arrived about 1832 (dates uncertain) and settles where Coborn Jackey advised of reliable running water (opposite Quamby homestead on Grenfell Road). Whites niece Sarah Musgrave is also memorialised (author of The Wayback). See Jackey's name-plate in Lambing Flat Museum.
EXPLORE MEMORIAL TO JOHN & JAMES WHITE
CARRINGTON PARK & 1912 ROTUNDA
A memorial plaque to the towns first bandmaster Professor WF Roberts is at the side of the bandstand. The park was established on the former Police Paddock in 1888 and named after Lord Carrington (state Governor) who was in town to switch on the first electric power system. The roses and hedgerows are being restored to the original layout. The gates were erected in memory of Drum Major Arthur Lee and bandsman Frederick Dirou killed in World War 1 and have an Honour Roll for the Young District Band.
EXPLORE CARRINGTON PARK & 1912 ROTUNDA
GREAT COURT HOUSE 1886
The giant Ionic portico proclaims 1884 in Roman numerals, but it opened in 1886. This monster courthouse was built to demonstrate Law and Order on the site of the worst encounter between rioting miners and police (1861). There was always a small courthouse in Lynch Street used for Petty Sessions, so this one was thought to be an extravagance. One of the finest court buildings of NSW. It was designed by James Barnet, Government architect. Since 1925 it has served as the towns High School, the courtroom is now the hall, seating 350.
EXPLORE GREAT COURT HOUSE 1886
READING THE RIOT ACT - JULY 14, 1861
On the High School picket fence facing Campbell Street, this notice records the only public declaration of "The Riot Act" in NSW history. Miners carrying banners and notice against Chinese on the Goldfield surged up the hill to confront police at their camp. The response to the Riot Act was out-cry, so mounted troops with sabres charged while some fired overhead. Miners retreated in dissaray, many being injured.
View From Traffic Island - Near the Carrington Park gates in Campbell Street features the three principal towers of Young - St Marys spire, Town Hall clocktower and campanile belltower of the former Primary School. Also on view is Millards Emporium 1917 and tall gums of the Arboretum growing along Burrangong Creek. At noon can be heard the Angelus from St Marys answering the Town Halls chime. Notice also giant Bunya Pines (Araucaria bidwillii) across the road and Queensland Hoop Pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) at the front of the High School, about 130 years old.
EXPLORE READING THE RIOT ACT - JULY 14, 1861
YOUNG PUBLIC SCHOOL 1884
First school demolished for the railway, so this steeply-sloping site was selected and a new school built, designed by William Kemp (architect of many NSW Schools). The style is 'Free Classical', with airy classrooms; timber columns in the Doric Order support the veranda, at centre is the Bell tower with a distinctively Italian caste and over to the right the Baroque porch with clustered columns marking the entrance to the Girls School (later infants School). To the right is the two-storeyed Headmasters Residence. Since 1973, when the school moved to south Young, this has been the Community Arts Centre - here are Family History Centre, Camera Society, Theatre Company, Green Ivy Café (in courtyard) and Lambing Flat Folk Museum.
To reach Lambing Flat Folk Museum, walk down Campbell Street, crossing over Ripon Street to the pedestrian crossing, proceeding to the museum entrance. Part of the collection is displayed at street edge - Mile Posts from Young to Bribbaree Road. Open daily the museum houses a large collection with several unique items - including Coborn Jackey's nameplate (1831), "The Roll-Up Banner" carried by miners in the 1861 riots, bush ranger Frank Gardiners prayer book and a three legged chicken.
NB : suggested short heritage walk - numbers 9 to 17, starting (and finishing) at the carpark.
Proceed uphill along Campbell Street passing the original Mile Post Cowra (CA) to Cootamundra (CT) in its original location. Continue uphill and turn left into Gordon Street. *(James Gordon set up practice in Young in 1868, an early MP for Young and Mayor in 1898; the firm continues today as Gordon, Garling and Moffatt). Continue to the lookout on the left for about 20 metres.
EXPLORE YOUNG PUBLIC SCHOOL 1884
LUPTONS LOOKOUT
Precipitous landscape was the scene of digging for gold; first discoveries were made on the level below - the Lambing Flat Lookout has been named for William Lupton, the only person killed in the July 1861 assault on the Police Lock-up, shot through the neck by a stray bullet. Lupton was buried after a huge procession through the camp, led by brass band. Lakes along the creek were created from Bi-Centenary of European Settlement grant 1988.
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HALLIDAYS BRIDGE
Proceed down Gordon Street and left into Yass Street - this was the beginning of the track to Yass, the nearest established centre of commerce and government services in 1860. Halliday opened the bridge in August 1862 as a business venture, charging a toll to all vehicles. In the gutter at the corner can be seen an early granite slab formation. Proceed along the path to the pedestrian bridge at Captain Cook Weir - in the creek bed, on left, is one timber pile remaining from 1870's Yass Street Bridge. Here is the site of the original gold discovery and the track that became Main Street. (Refer to points 4 & 5 above).
EXPLORE HALLIDAYS BRIDGE
ARBORETUM PARK
Native trees planted by High School students in 1979. Site of a memorial of those who fought and fell in Korea, Malaysia, Borneo and Vietnam and in appreciation of many years of voluntary work by the RSL, Women's Auxiliary.
(Sponsored by Young RSL Sub-branch, Young Shire Council and the Australian Day Committee).
EXPLORE ARBORETUM PARK
GOLD CENTENARY MONUMENT
Corner Main and Marina Streets, this sundial was unveiled by Alec Chisholm, President of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1960 to mark discovery of gold and the birth of the town of Young in 1860. Captain Cook Park Lake is a popular recreation spot for families and for water birds! Marina Street is named for Carlo Marina, pioneer pastoralist, who settled at Moppity (east of Young), having married Eliza Tout at Yass in 1861. Carlo had fought in Garibaldi's army in Italy and arrived in Melbourne in 1856. At first a butcher, he became a grazier and planted orchards and vineyards as well.
EXPLORE GOLD CENTENARY MONUMENT
YOUNG HOTEL
Originally Oddfellow's Arms Hotel 1874, remains a popular watering hole. The Oddfellow's Hall was to the left of the hotel. In the 1940's there was a miniature golf course on the present ambulance station site.
EXPLORE YOUNG HOTEL
METHODIST CHURCH
Now the Uniting Church, was built in 1909 in the Arts & Crafts style - red brickwork and light stucco bands with Late Gothic detail. Inside is a 'hammer-beam' roof and sloping floor. (In 1865 the Methodist Church stood at the corner or Cloete and Lynch Streets). The site was adjacent to Cram's (first Mayor) sawmill, later converted to a flour mill.
The mill covered the corner block and what is now part of Marina Street, Cram's cottage stood on the site of the right of the church.
EXPLORE METHODIST CHURCH
CLOETE STREET
Named for the Police Commissioner on the goldfield, Peter Cloete; he rode to Yass in 1860 seeking Government help to control the riots - from there, telegraph messages were sent to Sydney and troops dispatched. Along the street are Young Police station and lock-up and a police cottage; the large timber house was a former medical practice, next to the original CWA rooms, now the Tester-Porter Accountants. At the corner is a fine 1920's bungalow.
EXPLORE CLOETE STREET
ANGLICAN CHURCH BUILDINGS
Across the street, St John the Evangelist Church built 1893 to the design of Arhtur Blackett (of the famous church building firm) in late 13th Century Gothic style. This is the second church on the site, the first being in memory of Police Captain John Wilkie who died in a fall from his horse in 1862 - his widow Margaret raised funds to start a parish and church here in 1865. St Johns church is built of grey slate from Bendick Murrell with sandstone details. The beautiful interior is worth a visit - fine woodwork, stained glass windows and organ gallery.
The Rectory was built in a Deco-Tudor style in 1937. At rear of the Parish hall is the former Church of England School, 1866, designed by William Kemp, the only school building remaining from gold-rush days. Return to Lynch Street.
EXPLORE ANGLICAN CHURCH BUILDINGS
COURTHOUSE & POST OFFICE
At the corner of Lynch Street stand the 1928 courthouse, built partially from funds from the Dept. of Education for transfer of Great Courthouse to use as the high school. Interior cedar fittings were moved into this new building from the larger one, creating a very handsome court room. Entrance portico has paired Tuscan Doric columns, a fine example of early 20th Century Classical design. Post Office net door (1878) replaced little timber cottage from 1862, the year the telegraph line reached town. Much altered over the years, but retains its clock.
EXPLORE COURTHOUSE & POST OFFICE
LYNCH STREET
Named after Sub-inspector Lynch who arrived here Tumbarumba in March 1861 to assist troops arriving from Sydney for riot control. Young's best street, with beautiful trees and several fine buildings. Opposite the Post Office is the ANU Country Medical Annex in "Toledo", Arts & Crafts style from the early 20th Century with battlemented parapet - completely burnt out in 1937, but refitted as before. The Indian restaurant 'Namaste' on Rosemary Lane occupies the little building where Solicitor James Gordo practised from 1881. Next door is the proud building (1912) built by Baldo Cunich, owner of worlds largest (for many years) cherry orchard.
EXPLORE LYNCH STREET
CORNER LYNCH & BOOROWA STREETS
Shops to the corner (now Amcal Max Pharmacy) were rebuilt by Tout and Kelly after the catastrophic fire in March 1937. Much of the commercial centre is of a consistent style, two storeys with a neat parapet - built after the fires in 1875 and 1877 had removed ramshackle shops and cottages of gold era. Handsome verandas that gave so much character to the town have been stripped from the facades. Crossing Boorowa Street reveals views of the heart of town, dominated by Millard's 'Big Store' and Town Hall clock.
EXPLORE CORNER LYNCH & BOOROWA STREETS
BANKS
Young's grand bank buildings reflect prosperity of the town. Three are at intersection with Boorowa Street. At right, former Rural Bank of NSW in a comfortable rustic Georgian style (now South-west Slopes Credit Union). Beyond, former Commonwealth Bank in Art Deco style- brand of that bank (now a gun shop). To the left, the grandest of all, the baroque splendour of City Bank 1890, later becoming Commercial Bank of Australia and now and auctioneers - worth a glance inside for ornate ceiling and cedar fittings. It resembles a small Roman Palazzo in the rear stands the old stone stables (late 1870's) with attic hayloft, now occupied by Young Hardware.
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LYNCH STREET (NORTH)
Corner of Lightning Lane is the library in the School of Arts 1904; on the pleasant brickwork is hidden under a coat of paint. Opposite is the fire station, mid 1930's; on the fence, the fire bell (1870s) which has been moved several times, originally standing in Main Street. Next door is the Presbyterian Church 1920, built of Bendick Murrell bluestone with steps and arches of local great granite and slate roof in early Gothic style to the design of WM Campbell, Melbourne (corner tower yet to be completed). Presbyterians opened their first church in 18721 next to Lynch Street bridge. (now site of a restaurant).
Across the street, former AMP Insurance building (1920s) in a fine rendition of English Palladian (Classical) style; above curved Doric Portico is AMP's signature stone statuary group. Eric Campbell solicitor (in late - 1920s founder pf the New Guard, an organisation of ex-servicemen dedicated to overthrow State Labour Government) had his office here. Captain de Groote who famously slashed the ribbon to open the Sydney Harbour Bridge was riding a horse from Young.
Radio Station 2LF also had its offices in this building.
EXPLORE LYNCH STREET (NORTH)
RETURN VIA ANDERSON PARK TO TOURIST CENTRE
The Park was named for Lt-Colonel Charles Anderson, a local grazier and soldier. Anderson was one of the few awarded with the Victoria Cross in WW2. Anderson later became Federal Member for Hume until the mid 1960s. Servicemen from WW2, Korean, Vietnam and later campaigns are commemorated in this park. The huge London Plane trees were planted at the opening of the Railway station in 1885.
EXPLORE RETURN VIA ANDERSON PARK TO TOURIST CENTRE