Known for its tree-lined streets and parks and gardens, Narrandera is often referred to by travellers as an 'oasis'. Narrandera is, without doubt, an oasis; blessed with abundant water, and hugging the banks of Lake Talbot and the Murrumbidgee River.

Adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre in the Narrandera Park, the World War II Memorial features a DH 82 Tiger Moth.

Wide green lawns, shady trees, a children's playground, and free BBQs make the Narrandera Park a favoured picnic spot. Also within the park, is an Animal Enclosure and a Camellia and Rose Garden.

Shade dappled parks and gardens and tree-lined streets bear testimony to the foresight of the town's pioneers.

The Narrandera community takes pride in its shady town with several trees meriting a tree preservation order because of their great size.

The Hankinson Fountain, located in the Narrandera Memorial Gardens, is a ceramic fountain made by Royal Doulton. There are only two of these fountains known to be in existence, the other one being in India.

Narrandera has a rich heritage, dating from 'squatter' and river boat times.

The town has been classified in Urban Conservation Area by the National Trust. Follow the Two Foot Heritage Walk and enjoy the atmosphere created by wide avenues and elegant old buildings.

Maps for a Cemetery Walk and a Blue Arrow Driving Route are available at the Visitors Centre.

A number of novelty and antique shops that open on weekends as well as weekdays, allow you to spend a full day in Narrandera, just browsing. Go nursery hopping. Spend hours looking over collectables, folk art, and unique craft.

Call into the Visitor's Information Centre in the Park and collect a copy of 'Wandering in Narrandera'.

Special Events in Narrandera

John O'Brien Bush Festival

This gem of a festival has a multitude of activities taking place in an array of venues throughout Narrandera.

It takes inspiration from Australian bush culture: its music, its poetry, and its lifestyle. In particular it is inspired by the verse of poet-priest John O'Brien and recognises the Irish-Australian heritage so evident in his very insightful, sometimes sad, but most often comic poetry.

Poets' breakfasts, bush and Irish music sessions, and dancing, as well as top-class performances of humour, word, and song, contribute to an event that is a great country town experience.

There are competitions, and exhibitions: for busking, for poetry performers, for artists and crafts-people. There are old-fashioned singalongs and food and wine experiences. You'll get to know some locals. If you like people, music, poetry, dancing or parades you'll enjoy this festival.

The John O'Brien Bush Festival is held annually in mid March. You can find out more about this award winning festival or be placed on the festival mailing list by calling the Narrandera Visitor's Centre on Freecall 1800 672 392, or visit their web site at:  www.johnobrien.org.au

Lake Talbot

Mystery surrounds the formation of Lake Talbot. The lake came into existence in about 1925 when the bank of the irrigation canal burst, letting water fill the flat between the canal and Bundidgerry Hill. The burst bank has been variously attributed to flood, the mischief of children, and to a farmer seeking water for cattle and using dynamite to make a break in the bank. Whatever the truth, Lake Talbot has become a popular spot for water recreation. The rotary lookout adjacent to the Lake Talbot Tourist Park affords a scenic view of the lake. The shelter at the lookout houses a coin-operated BBQ and picnic tables. The lake is only 1.5km from the town centre, and is regularly used by skiers, with its further reaches used for fishing and canoeing. Skiing championships are held regularly.

Narrandera Koala Regeneration Reserve

The Koala, national icon though it is, has not always been able to survive the advance of the European into its domain. By the turn of the century many an area populated by Koala saw the total annihilation of the marsupial. It had succumbed to destruction of natural habitat, accidental poisoning, and the gun.

This was the case in the Narrandera district, where between about 1900 and 1972 not a single Koala was in evidence.

It took the foresight of local Councillor Ken Keisling to advance the notion of introducing Koala to breed in a reserve specially set aside for the purpose.

The first Koalas were introduced to the reserve in 1972. Three females and one male were the first to arrive. Over the next two years a further nineteen adults were brought in. More than 25 years on, the numbers are still increasing and it is clear that the original Koalas have bred successfully.

The Reserve hugs the Murrumbidgee River and provides an ideal diet of River Red Gum. It has been subject to both flood and fire during the past 28 years. Despite this, it is now colonised by upward of 200 healthy Koala. It is clear from the number of sightings both upstream and downstream of the reserve, that the territorial habits of the Koala have led to a spread of the population well beyond its boundaries.

The Narrandera community has taken the Reserve and its inhabitants to heart. Locals and visitors alike lend their eyes to the annual Koala Count. Supervised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the count involves groups of spotters spreading quietly throughout the reserve. Once sighted a Koala's location is marked with a ribbon and sightings tallied at the end of the day.

The reserve is accessible by dry weather road, although Koala can be seen throughout the Narrandera Nature Reserve, which surrounds the Regeneration Reserve. A map of the area is included on the town map and in the information booklet available from the Tourist Centre.

Narrandera Fisheries Centre (The John Lake Centre)

Nipped on the nose by nasty nippers. Was this the result of your last confrontation with a Murray cray?

If so, and if you still want to observe the finer details of this magnificent creature, from a safe distance—not more than half a nose away—you can at the John Lake Centre.

Have a close encounter with native and endangered species of the Murray Darling river system. View the four varieties bred at the Centre as well as many other species and interesting locals such "Agro" the mighty Murray cod, the endangered trout cod, and the Murray cray, with its gigantic nippers.

The Centre is situated 6 kilometres east of Narrandera, along the Sturt Highway. Located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, the Centre has over 35 hectares of parkland.

The Centre is open Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours of the research centre and hatchery are conducted at 10.30 a.m. During school holidays, an extra tour operates at 2 p.m. Individual and group visitors are welcome.

Tour the facility, spawning complex, breeding tanks and aquaria. A 15-minute video on the Centre's work is included in the tour in a 60-seat theatrette.

Visitors can enjoy a sheltered picnic on the lovely lawns. Three free electric BBQs are provided. Fishing is not permitted at the centre.

Weekend tours to suit special interests are available by prior arrangement. Such tours are often popular with fishing clubs and schools.

Tour prices (incl GST) as at November 2001: Adults $5.50, children under 18 and pensioners $2.75, family (2 adults and 2 children) $13.75. Per-person prices for school groups $1.10, pensioner groups $2.20.

The Narrandera 2 Foot Heritage Walk

This historic walk around the streets of Narrandera takes you past over 40 notable buildings and gardens, dating back to the 1800's. Here are a few of the attractions you'll see on the walk:

Fig Tree (150 years old) Primary School (built in 1883) Railway Station (built in 1881) Richard's Store (country town emporium) Ambulance Station (First aid!) St Faith's Hospital (built in 1936) Hankinson Fountain (in the Memorial Gardens) Park and Mini Zoo (Picnic and recreation) "Yo-Merry" (Victorian-style) Hit and Miss Hotel (built in 1860)

Shopping in Narrandera

Weekdays or weekends: any time will be appropriate to shop, and Narrandera offers wide range of choices.

Shady Gum Nursery Pine Hill Wed–Mon (9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.) (02) 6959 1780 Parkside Cottage Museum Cnr Cadell and Twynam Sts Mon–Tue (2.00 p.m.–5.00 p.m.) Wed–Sat (11.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.) (02) 6959 1372 A.J Wood-N-Crafts 31 Ferrier St Open 7 days (9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.) (02) 6959 3118

Antique Corner 126 Larmer St Tue–Sat (2.00 p.m.–5.30 p.m.) Sun (11.00 a.m.–5.30 p.m.) (02) 6959 1670 My Dolls Dangar Dve Open 7 days (10.00 a.m.–1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.–5.00 p.m.) (02) 6959 1728 Mon Repos Antiques & Décor 43 Douglas St Wed–Fri (10.30 a.m.–5.00 p.m.) Sat (10.30 a.m.–4.00 p.m.); Sun (12.30 p.m.–4.00 p.m.) (02) 6959 4356 Lavande Aromatiques 'Clyde Bank' Bells Rd (02) 6959 3920 The Gallery 92 East St Mon–Fri (9.00 a.m.–5.30 p.m.) Sat (10.00 a.m.–12.30 p.m.) (02) 6959 4225 The Grong Grong Shed 1.2km off Newell Hwy, 13.4km N of Grong Grong (02) 6956 3228

Weekend Self-Drive Tours

A short drive to . . . Paynters Siding

• Craigtop Deer Farm: See fallow and red deer, poll dorset sheep, beef cattle, organic vegie garden $3 person, $2 pensioner/student


. . . On to Leeton
• Visit Toorak Wines or their Glenlea Cellars on Irrigation Way. Open 7 days.
• Lillypilly Estate: Prize winning wines from the Fiumara family. Tastings and sales Monday–Saturday.
• Historic Hydro Motor Inn


. . . Back to Narrandera
• Lake Talbot Swimming Complex in season (October–April) is the focus for family fun: BBQ, picnic facilities, giant water and rampage slides.
• Tiger Moth in the Park.
• The "Big Guitar" in the Tourist Information Centre


A "Sunday Drive" to . . .
• Matong Memories: A large collection of antique furniture and bric-a-brac (a great time passer). Try a Devonshire Tea/Lunch at the 'Farmers Home' Hotel.
• Enjoying the drive? On to Ganmain to 'The Haystack' and learn about chaff cutting, stooking, and haystack building. The drive can be a photographer's delight. Look out for hay stooks and authentic sheaf haystacks. (especially November–December).


A whole day to spare? . . .
• Galore Hill and Nature Reserve: Enjoy the view from the summit and picnic facilities on summit or saddle. (33km east on Sturt Highway, then right onto Lockhart Road for 14km. Galore Hill is to your left).
• Lockhart 'Verandah Town': Lots to do on a weekend in this pretty little town. Craft, collectibles, antiques, and eateries.
• Aurora Clydesdale Stud: See these magnificent animals and a unique working farm. Entry and tour $2 person. Tea/Coffee and Damper $2 person (65km east on Sturt Highway).


Back to home base . . .
• Why not fit in a lazy 9 holes at Narrandera Golf Course, the Riverina's Premier Course, rated in the top 100 in Australia.