Wombat, New South Wales
Wombat is a town in South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Olympic Highway, south-west of the regional centre of Young. It is in the local government area of Hilltops Council. At the, Wombat had a population of 225.History
The area was occupied by the indigenous Wiradjuri people for thousands of years.
- 1860 - Gold discovered at nearby Young. 20,000 miners converge on surrounding areas. Wombat Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.
- 1865 - The village of Wombat was established. Many Chinese miners moved to the area taking plots of land.
- 1867 - Wombat Public School was founded in a bark hut
- 1873 - foundation stone of St Matthews Church of England laid
- 1875 - Roman Catholic Church built
- 1877 - Wombat Hotel began trading
- 1880 - Carlo Lazzarini,, NSW politician and trade unionist was born in Wombat.
- 1895 - Mechanics Institute opened
- 1903 - Wombat Hotel's current building constructed
- 1909 - Roman Catholic convent opened
- 1923 - Wombat Soldiers' Memorial hall officially opened
- 1924 - the old hall was destroyed by fire
- 1950s & 1960s - The Olympic Way highway was built through
Attractions
- "The Wombat Hotel", which has had a continuous liquor licence since 1877, making it the longest in New South Wales.
- "Allambie Orchard", A cherry orchard that allows people to pick their own fruit in season
- "Wombat Heights", a farm on a hill which produces jam, fruit wine and liqueurs from traditional recipes. Visitors are invited to do-it-themselves.
- "Wilkies Cottage Restaurant/Café".
- "The Old Convent Geranium Nursery", Hope St, offers many colours & varieties of miniatures of variegated, climbing and scented Pelargonium geraniums.
The highway into Wombat is graced with a statue of a wombat, made of local material, which was unveiled in 2002.
