It may only be a month (or so!) into the new year, but if you’re already hanging for some time-out, a quick road trip from Canberra to Wagga could be just what you need to get your relaxation fix! Explore iconic country towns as you wind through spectacular scenery to a destination that’s chockers with leafy streets, great restaurants, picturesque walks, culture, history and some of the best hospitality and food around!
Top tyres for the trip
When it comes to tyres that are ultra safe, great performing and exceptional value for your road trip, it’s Maxxis all the way! We have a wide range of tyres including one that’s just right for you and your vehicle. If you have an SUV, the new RAZR AT-S is an awesome all-terrain addition to the range with all the grip, performance, comfort and safety you’d expect from the renowned Maxxis RAZR name!
Getting there and places to stop
Just under an hour will have you rolling into the popular town of Yass. Whether you’re after a coffee and toasty, gelato, vibrant gallery surroundings (or all combined into one), Tootsie Gallery Café will have you covered. There are also a number of other great cafes in town to choose from. If you’re after a children’s playground or somewhere to stretch your legs, Banjo Patterson Park is easy to spot from the main street.
Just off the Hume on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, Jugiong is another great option to break up your trip. Whether or not wine is your thing, make sure you pop into the Jugiong Wine Cellar – which stocks boutique wines from vineyards in the area as well as a range of jams, olive oil and other local produce. And if you’ve never yet stopped in at Gundagai (home to the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox monument), this is definitely one to put on your list! The Gundagai Architectural Heritage Walk (a round trip from the Visitor Information Centre), is a great way to take in some of the town’s lovely history and architecture and to have a stroll while you’re at it! Plus, if you time it right, the Gundagai Show is just around the corner (14 to 16 Feb) … it promises to be a fun event with showjumping the main highlight!
Wonderful Wagga
Driving into Wagga you’ll notice the wide streets, beautiful leafy trees, historic buildings and of course, amazing river views! With summer still very much in swing (along with the heat) you may want to head straight to the famous Wagga Beach, on the Murrumbidgee River just five minutes from town, for a dip. This is also a great place to have a BBQ or do a bit of exploring on the Wiradjuri Walking Track which runs past the beach. Here are some other things to get your Wagga adventure on its way…
Pick your own strawberries…Fill up a punnet (big or small) with fresh strawberries straight from the plants! At Bidgee Strawberries and Cream you can also tuck into some delicious home-made strawberry ice cream, strawberry pie, waffles and other yummy treats at the café right on site.
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery… Also home to the National Art Glass Collection, the gallery is a hub for exhibitions and events that celebrate local artists and others from around Australia. It’s very central and in more great news, admission is free!
Farmers markets…Make sure you bring an esky because Thursday is market day in Wagga with the Riverina Producers Market at the Wagga Showground brimming with fresh fruit, veggies, honey and other great food to buy. If you miss stocking up on Thursday, every second Saturday there’s also the Wagga Wagga Farmers Market (held in front of the Civic Centre) from 8am to 1pm. And when it comes to markets, there’s still more! The River and Wren Market happens at the Wagga Showgrounds six times during the year (attended by traders with all types of food, arts, crafts and jewellery along with buskers and other fun) – the next one is March 9!
Riverina Harvest Festival… Still talking local produce and yummy food, the Riverina Harvest Festival in the first weekend of March includes a day of free family fun (on Sunday) at Wagga Beach.
Green spaces… Just 10 minutes from the town’s centre, Lake Albert is a lovely spot for walking and biking with a 5.5km trail. It also has BBQ facilities and a kids’ playground and fitness stations. The extensive Victory Memorial Gardens on the banks of Wollundry Lagoon is another perfect place to enjoy some green space right in the middle of Wagga.
Where to stay
Whether you’re travelling solo, with a friend or partner or the whole family’s there for the ride, Wagga is a great destination for every type of road-tripper! BIG4 Ingenia Holidays (in prime position on the river) is a favourite holiday park including a range of cabins, caravan and camp sites, plus it’s pet friendly and has a sparkling pool! As you’d expect, there are also loads of hotels and motels in Wagga, as well as some lovely apartments (some in heritage style) in walking distance of all that Wagga has to offer.
Before you go
Make sure you stop in at your local servo to check those tyre pressures while they are still cool before you begin your trip (you’ll find the correct pressure for your vehicle on the panel on the inside of the driver’s door). This should only take a few minutes and is vital to ensure that your vehicle performs optimally and safely (remember to also check the spare if you have one). If you need any assistance or advice with new tyres or replacements or repairs, there are Maxxis dealers in Canberra and Wagga Wagga as well as Yass, Gundagai and some other locations along the way! You can use the handy dealer locator to find one most convenient for you.
