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HILLTOPS VISITOR
TRAVEL AND
HOLIDAY GUIDE

HILLTOPS VISITOR TRAVEL AND HOLIDAY GUIDE


The Hilltops Region was formed the councils of Boorowa, Harden, and Young amalgamated and the Hilltops Region was born.
Hilltops includes Boorowa, Harden, Young and the villages of Rugby, Frogmore, Reids Flat, Rye Park, Maimuru, Bendick Murrell, Monteagle, Bribbaree, Koorawatha, Galong, Murringo, Wombat and Kingsvale. If Hilltops was a state then Young would be the capital. How sweet it is!


YOUNG – THE CHERRY CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA

The unofficial capital of the region Young is in the heart of the Hilltops Region and is less than two hours’ drive from Canberra, Wagga, and Orange.

Young is a handsome country town in a deep valley, with 19th-century buildings and gorgeous gardens.

Young courthouse built in 1884 and transferred to the Department of Education in 1925 and now is the main hall of Young High School.

Young’s accommodation includes comfy motels, B&B’s and self-catering accommodation as well as a central caravan park.

The Young Town Hall is impressive and is the largest in country NSW and features a clock tower that is a magnificent WW1 War memorial.

Interestingly on the same site in 1889, an electricity generating station was built which made Young the first place to have electricity supply in the British Empire, way before the Australian colonial capitals, even before London.

Young is surrounded by orchards, vineyards, olive groves, and strawberry farms.

A visit in spring will allow you to see the orchards blossom and it is then that the horticultural industries start to hum.

In spring and during the summer season you can visit the orchards to pick your own fruits or at shop one of the many road-side stalls to stock up and fill the car.

Imagine the sweet aroma of cherries, and cherry pies followed later by plums, peaches, apricots, and other stone fruit. Yum!

For the wine connoisseur and those who just enjoy the pleasure of quality wine, the Hilltops Region has a small but standout collection of wineries. The cellar doors are intimate and chances are that you’ll meet the owners and the winemakers while you are there.



Historic Boorowa Court House

BOOROWA – AND ITS SECRET MARKETING PLAN

A lot of small towns spend a great deal of money and time devising and building schemes to stop travellers and entice them to spend in the town. Boorowa has a plan too.

It’s not known if Boorowa’s plan was a very clever idea, a devilish plot, or just good luck but they have a great plan and it works. You won’t see it mentioned in any brochures or online promotions either.

The outcome of their plan is known to travellers going through Boorowa on the way to and from Canberra. Thousands of travellers every month take advantage of what Boorowa has to offer all because of “the plan”.

Like all great ideas, it is very simple. So what is Boorowa’s secret?

They have the best public toilet facilities in Central NSW.

They are clean, well maintained with hot water and hand dryers.
On any day you will see tourists and travellers being converted to spending visitors. These public facilities are strategically placed in a small park next to the old historic courthouse which is now home to the visitor information centre, craft shop, and a cafe.

The now famous facilities are the corner of Marsden Street (the main road) and Queen Street. Google Map

So if you need to “spend-a-penny” do so, and then we are sure that the locals would like you to stick to the plan and take some time out to check out the shops and the interesting things and find out why Boorowa is home to some of the friendliest people in the country. You won’t be disappointed.

Screenshot of www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

BOOROWA INFORMATION


TWIN TOWNS OF HARDEN AND MURRUMBURRAH

It is hard to tell where one town starts and the other finishes.

The twin towns or probably more accurately conjoined twin towns are 30 minutes from Young and 90 minutes from Canberra in one direction and Wagga in the other.

They are not quite identical twins as they started at different times for different reasons and this has influenced their distinctive architecture.

For example, Murrumburrah has two former bank buildings in the Arts & Crafts style, earlier buildings in the Italianate style and examples are the elegant red-brick courthouse, the museum in the old Federation Style Mechanics Institute(photo above).

In Harden, the main street has dramatic groups of mature date palms, and shade trees that frame the attractive Federation era and Federation Style shops, hotels, and banks. The historic Railway Station is still in use but not manned is a reminder of the scale of railway passenger and goods traffic that built the town.

A must visit is the Light Horse Memorial in Albury Street that honours the district’s contribution and to the many who fought in the Boer War. The unit was founded at Harden-Murrumburrah racecourse in 1897 as the1st Australian (Volunteer) Horse Unit. With Australia’s Federation in 1901, the unit became part Australian Light Horse when all mounted troops were amalgamated.

PLAN A HILLTOPS STAY

The visitor information centre would love to help you make your plans. Their details are below. They have a great website with lots of local information.


 

YOUNG & HILLTOPS REGION INFORMATION CENTRES


YOUNG VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Anderson Park, Lovell St, Young NSW 2594
Ph 1800 628 233
Email vic@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
www.visithilltopsregion.com.au/about/visitor-information-centres
Open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays 9.30am to 4.00pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday.


BOOROWA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Old Court House Building, Marsden Street, Boorowa NSW 2586
Ph 1800 628 233
Email vic@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
www.visithilltopsregion.com.au/about/visitor-information-centres
Open seven days 9.00am to 5.00pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday. Mon – Sun from 10.00am to 5.00pm.


HARDEN MURRUMBURRAH VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
History Hall, Albury Street, Harden Murrumburrah NSW 2587
Ph 1800 628 233
Email vic@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
https://www.visithilltopsregion.com.au/about/visitor-information-centres/
Open seven days 10.00am to 4.00pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday.

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