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WAGGA WAGGA
Introduction
The
City of Wagga Wagga is the regional centre of the rich agricultural and
pastoral district of The Riverina. It comprises an area of around 500,000
hectares with a population on 55,000 and was first settled in the 1830's
following an 1829 expedition of exploration to trace and chart the vast
inland rivers system of the interior.
Captain Charles Sturt, with George
Macleay and six others followed the Murrumbidgee to its junction with the
Murray River, near Mildura, and on to the mouth near Goolwa in South
Australia.
In 1849 Thomas Townshend surveyed the main city area and it was
declared a town in the same year. In the 1860's there was a population of
around 700 residents, and by 1881, after the railway was extended in 1879,
the population reached 4,000. It takes its name from the aboriginal
Wiradjuri tribe, the largest in New South Wales, who called it 'Wagga' or
'Wahga', meaning 'crow'.
The double use of the word indicates 'many
crows', and this double meaning is common to the area with such names as
Gumly Gumly, Walla Walla and Grong Grong all located nearby.
Attractions
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Aboriginal heritage is well preserved in the place
names of Australia with some 35% of names having their origin in the
aboriginal language.
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The Murrumbidgee River which flows
through the city means 'big water'.
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The Botanical Gardens, incorporating a
modern Zoological section, is situated just south of the Sturt Highway off
Lord Baden Powell Drive and is a pleasant stop-over. Over 600 species of
native trees and shrubs are featured and there is an Exotic Flora section;
Camellia Garden; Cacti and succulent section; and rain-forest plants. Many
native and exotic animals can be seen in the Zoological Gardens.
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The
Murray Cod Hatcheries and Fauna Park east of the city on the Sturt Highway
is a major attraction and hires fishing tackle, has a kids fishing pond,
and conducts fly-fishing lessons.
There is an indoor multi-aquarium
display with many live native fish and crustacea, an extensive range of
native animals and wildlife can also be seen.
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The Kapooka Military Camp is
located 10km. west of the city off the Olympic Way. Graduation Parades are
normally held each Monday morning and tours of the base are possible for
visitors who report to the Guard Room at the main gate.
Activities
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Cabarita
Beach, only a short walk from the
Information Centre in Tarcutta St. is a popular venue for locals and
visitors and has a swimming beach on the river, picnic areas and BBQ's.
It is floodlit of a night during the summer months.
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Modern sporting facilities cater to the needs of everybody The Wagga Wagga
Swimming and Recreation Centre in Bolton Park, easily located by the 'Rippa
Slippa' water slide, is an integrated sport and leisure complex for all
the family, with solar-heated swimming pools, mini golf, a skateboard
ramp, tiny tots area, BBQ facilities and a kiosk.
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There are two
excellent golf courses open to visitors.
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Other sporting facilities include
several bowling clubs, 10 pin bowling, numerous football and cricket
ovals, (the current Australlian 11 cricket captain Mark Taylor is from
Wagga Wagga), and netball and tennis courts.
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The Murrumbidgee and local tributaries offer excellent fishing for the
enthusiast, presenting the opportunity to bag Murray Cod, Fresh-water
Catfish, Perch and Yabbies, a fresh-water crayfish.
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