Coolamon

Highlights

Take a deep dive into Coolamon’s history

One of the greatest pleasures of visiting Coolamon is taking a stroll along main Cowabbie Street, home to a number of grand heritage buildings including the former shire offices, courthouse, post office, railway station and Coolamon Hotel. It’s also home to the Up-to-Date Store Cultural Precinct, an eye-catching 1909 building that has been transformed into a museum showcasing a collection of agricultural machinery as well as the Lamson cash railway system, the only ball-style cash carrier in the world in its original location. When it comes time to refuel, pop into the site’s Little Rustic Pantry for a great coffee and a slice of cake.

Old building signage at Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct, Coolamon

Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct, Coolamon - Credit: Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct

Get active

If you like working up a sweat, you’ll love the walking tracks and mountain bike trails that lace nearby Kindra State Forest. BYO bike and ride to the forest from the centre of town (it only takes about 10 minutes), and when you arrive you’ll be treated to 52 hectares of bushland, home to a wealth of wildlife including red-capped robins and white-winged choughs. Discover additional tracks with the Urban Trail and Gilgai Trail – you can pick a full trail to explore or navigate sections of each and create your own unique route.

View of bushland at Kindra State Forest, Coolamon

Kindra State Forest, Coolamon - Credit: Riverina Landcare

A taste of place

Arguably the town’s most famous culinary attraction is Coolamon Cheese Co., set in a 1920s co-op building and offering the chance to see how fromage is made, from sheep to your plate. Drop in for a glass of wine while you sample the range, then take away tasty morsels like native river mint cheddar, merlot brie and soft blue. If you’re committed to the cheese cause, you can also sign up for fromage workshops.

Cheeseboard with The Rock Blue Vein, D'Brie, fetta, Coolamon cheese hand crafted at Coolamon Cheese Co, Coolamon

Coolamon Cheese Co, Coolamon - Credit: Matt Beaver

Explore the Riverina

Coolamon isn’t the only Riverina village with charm to spare. Enjoy scenic drives to the nearby villages of Ganmain, Ardlethan, Marrar, Matong and Beckom, where there are more wonderful heritage buildings to discover. If you’re visiting during August and September, drive the Riverina’s Canola Trail for an explosion of golden colour in the surrounding fields.

Vibrant canola fields in Coolamon, Coolamon Shire

Canola fields, Coolamon Shire

Where to stay

Places to stay suit various budgets and include the Ganmain Hotel, which welcomes with comfortable rooms and a broad veranda where you can enjoy a drink at the end of the day. A recent facelift has seen upstairs rooms and bathrooms given a makeover.

Outside of pub showing veranda and two stories at Hotel Ganmain, Coolamon

Hotel Ganmain, Coolamon - Credit: Hotel Ganmain

Getting there

Coolamon is only 30 minutes’ drive northwest of Wagga Wagga. The drive from Sydney or Melbourne to Coolamon is about five hours. You can also fly or take a train to Wagga Wagga and rent a car. A Saturday train service from Sydney also stops in Coolamon.

Coolamon Shire is part of the Canola Trail along with the Shires of Temora and Junee. The Canola Trail allows you to ease into relaxation mode as you explore and indulge at your own pace. The trail will immerse you in the story of each shire and its people while admiring the stunning canola fields.