Things to See & Do

Cootamundra

Although it’s a charming place to explore at any time of the year, Cootamundra is at its most picturesque in July and August, when the yellow flowers of its namesake wattle set the countryside ablaze with colour. This rich agricultural region is renowned for the production of prime lamb, wool, beef, wheat, canola and other grains. Newer industries

street signsml include olives, almonds, pistachios, deer and horse studs.

Cootamundra has several must-see attractions for cricketing enthusiasts, not the least being Bradman’s Birthplace, a restored cottage filled with fascinating cricketing memorabilia, and Captain’s Walk, a collection of bronze sculptures of former Australian cricket captains.

With two railway stations, a pedestrian overbridge and numerous over- and under- bridges, Cootamundra is also a train spotter’s delight. Just 10 minutes to the south is the famous “Bethungra Spiral”, a 360-degree loop that allows locomotives to climb the steep incline. Constructed in the 1940s, this engineering feature includes two tunnels and 33-metre deep cuttings.

The name Cootamundra is derived from the Wiradjuri word, “Cooramundry”, meaning “turtle”, “swamp” or “low lying land”. European settlement in the 1830s was spurred on by the wealth of the land and favourable climate, and later by a short-lived gold rush and then building of the railway. The town boasts many grand old buildings, including the railway station, courthouse, post office and the showground’s grandstand.

Visitor Checklist:

Visit our Visitor Information Centre located within the Cootamundra Arts Centre

• Learn Cootamundra’s history at the Heritage Centre
• Visit Bradman’s Birthplace Museum
• Check out the Wiradjuri Stained Glass Windows at the Town Hall
• Sample some of our local wine at one of our Vineyards
• Play a round of golf at the oldest course in NSW
• Ride the Cootamundra Mountain Bike trail
• Get fit and healthy on our outdoor fitness equipment
• Grab a beer and some food from one of our brilliant pubs
• Check out one of our local olive, canola or mustard seed oil producers for a tour and a taste
• A historic cricket walk featuring the bronze busts of 42 Australian test captains

• Have a tour of the Men’s Shed
• Drive out of town for lunch at one of our surrounding villages
• Have a swim in the Cootamundra Swimming Pool Complex
• Enjoy a great coffee at one of our boutique coffee shops
• Try a little retail therapy with one of our many great shops
• Visit the Cootamundra library
• Stay an extra night at one of our boutique accommodation options
• Shop for gourmet food products from one of our many local producers
• Check out the beautiful old grandstands at the Showground and Racecourse

Cootamundra Shire's Villages

Stockinbingal

Stockinbingal sml 2 Stockinbingal is a township of 374 people on the road between Cootamundra and Temora with a hotel and its original small cluster of stores. The main street comprises eight commercial buildings, a
railway station and Bowling Club.

Stockinbingal has maintained its architectural integrity and remains virtually untouched since Federation. Designed in 1881 Stockinbingal was proclaimed a village on March 20, 1886.

Many of the original buildings still stand today.
Stockinbingal Railway Station opened in 1893 servicing the Temora and Cootamundra line; former Bank of NSW, Federation 1915; former Stockinbingal Hotel Circa 1888; St James Anglican Church, 1910; Commercial Hotel, 1911; Cafe / Newsagency, Federation/Interwar 1908; Former Begleys Store, Federation, originally built 1893 - converted to double shop in 1917; Former Bakery, Federation circa, 1912- 1914; Former Stock & Station Agent, Federation 1909.

Wallendbeen

Wallenbeen sml 2

Wallendbeen is a well preserved pastoral village nestled amongst some of the richest farming land in the country where the broad fields of canola glow a brilliant yellow. With a population of around 305 people, it was proclaimed a village
in 1885 as it was offering many services for the travellers and the early settlers. The railway line was opened at Wallendbeen in 1877. The main school building was opened in 1911. There was a Police Station, produce mill, a tannery, butter factory, butcher shop and brickworks all operating at this time.

The community of Wallendbeen enjoys a quiet and peaceful lifestyle and are proud of their beautiful surrounds which is now attracting many new residents from other areas. At the heart of village life is the historic Wallendbeen Hotel, standing tall on the corner greeting visitors. With its well maintained sporting oval and tennis courts, Wallendbeen hosts many local and regional
sporting events.

Must see and do

Stand in the room where Australian cricketing legend, Sir Donald Bradman, was born in 1908.	Have your photograph taken beside a life-size sculpture of “The Don” or bronze busts of former Australian cricket captains at Jubilee Park.	Soak up the historical and architectural significance of Cootamundra’s grand old buildings.	Learn about the region’s aboriginal, agricultural, cultural, educational, military and transport history at the Cootamundra Heritage Centre.
A tribute to the district’s wheat farming heritage can be found in Mackay Park, Wallendbeen, and Parker Street, Cootamundra.	Visit Australia’s only mustard seed oil factory at Yandilla, see advertisement next page.	Take in nature’s beauty on the Migurra Reserve walking track, which passes through an ironbark and greybox community, or the Pioneer Park walking track, which reaches a spectacular lookout over Cootamundra.	The Milestone Sculptures in Parker Street, are a tribute to the local Wheat Industry. The sculptures name refers to the old mile posts used in that actual spot, which marked out distances in earlier days
All year ‘round entertainment
AUTUMN Stockinbingal Village Fair Interclub Cycle Race Cootamundra Picnic Races Cootamundra Annual Flower Show Cootamundra All Breeds Kennel Club Dog Show	WINTER CDC Annual Business Awards Wattle Time Fair and Street Parade Wattle Time Debutante Ball Cootamundra Annual Cycle Classic Antique Car Rally/ Car Sprints	SPRING Cootamundra Fathers Day Swap Meet Cootamundra Rodeo Cootamundra Annual Agricultural Show Cootamundra Cup Races Cootamundra Bike Festival Wired Open Day Festival at Muttama	SUMMER CDC Christmas Night Markets and Fair Lions Club Christmas Carnival Christmas Carols in The Park Australia Day Celebration Coota Beach Volleyball Carnival

Getting Here