In Narrandera, it’s all about the great outdoors. From extensive walking trails to water-based fun, it’s a nature-lover’s haven.
The Koala Picnic Area in the Murrumbidgee Valley Nature Reserve is home to more than 200 cuddly koalas. With an abundance of river red gums and a cool climate beside the river, it’s the ideal location for these animals to thrive. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy lunch on the grass, or make use of the many picnic tables and spend a sunny afternoon with friends. The koala walking track is a 2.2 kilometre return path along the riverbank, and is one of the best places to see koalas in the wild anywhere in Australia.
For more outdoor fun, head to Lake Talbot. Only 1.5 kilometres from the town centre, it is the perfect location for boating, canoeing and water skiing. The lake was formed in 1924 when the bank of the irrigation canal gave way, and remains a popular spot with locals and visitors alike looking for a place to cool off.
Bike enthusiasts should check out the Narrandera Bike and Hike track, a 23 kilometre trail winding its way through forests, wetlands and along the river. Choose to ride along the entire track, or take one of the shorter trails for an easier journey. Along the way, there are several signs pointing out areas of interest.
For more views of nature, take a stroll on the 15-metre-long Narrandera Skywalk. Perched above Lake Talbot and the flora and fauna reserve, the skywalk features a 50-metre accessible walkway, and hovers 17 metres above the water. The town also has a historic rail bridge, designed by a British consulting engineer in the 1800s. The bridge ceased service in the 1980s when the rail service stopped, yet maintains a significant engineering history.
To immerse yourself in culture, check out Sandhills Artefacts. Wiradjuri Elder Michael Lyons owns two workshops and galleries in town, where he shows visitors how to turn raw wood into traditional Bidgeridoos, Boomerangs, Coolamons and more. He also takes groups for walks in the nearby bush, where he discusses bush medicines, animals, and sacred Aboriginal sites including Birthing Rocks and Caves. Lucky visitors may also be offered a taste of Michael’s home-cooked bush foods for lunch. Michael is happy to share stories and knowledge of his culture, important for anyone hoping to learn more about Australia’s first peoples.
Taking a trip to Marie Bashir Park in the centre of town, is the Wiradjuri Honour Wall, which commemorates the people of the Narrungdera Clan who have passed, and the Wiradjuri people of Narrandera Shire. From above, the wall has been designed to symbolise a meeting place, and the open-sided curves create a welcoming space for presentations. The Honour Wall was built in consultation with local Elders.
To learn more about Narrandera’s rich history, take the self-guided Two-Foot Heritage Walk, which takes you to more than 50 sites and buildings of significance. Grab a free map at the Narrandera Destination and Discovery Hub. Or, wander down Kiesling Lane to discover a fascinating collection of heritage photographs and plaques telling the story of Narrandera’s growth from a frontier town to the rural service town found today. On the short walk, you will also learn about the importance of agriculture to the region.
To read about the fascinating history of Narrandera, click here.
Featured image: Murrumbidgee River © Tyson Mayr
