Lockhart
The Rock Nature Reserve in Lockhart, Riverina
Paris is known as the City of Love, New York as the City of Lights. And Lockhart has earned a reputation as Verandah Town. For good reason. Stroll the streets of this pretty town in the beautiful Riverina region of southwestern NSW and you’ll discover lovingly restored buildings with ornate iron lacework verandahs, which you can explore with a side of art and Aboriginal culture.
Thanks to its remarkable main street (Green Street) of well-preserved buildings, Lockhart has earned itself National Trust classification. Today the heritage streetscape is dotted with boutiques and cafes, but you can discover more about the turn-of-the-century buildings they call home thanks to informative plaques on each façade.
In October 2018, a water tower mural was created on the main street of Lockhart by artists Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner (Krimsone). The Lockhart Water Tower Mural depicts a cascading waterfall surrounded by local flora and fauna – you can’t miss it.
Green’s Gunyah Museum houses an intriguing collection of artefacts and is also home to the wonderful Doris Golder Wool Art Gallery and the Lockhart Visitor Information Centre. Here, you’ll find helpful advice on the things to do and see in the area, from the natural attractions to the Lockhart Sculpture Trail.
The town of Lockhart is surrounded by some of the Riverina’s most beguiling landscapes, including nature reserves with walking tracks, lookouts, picnic areas and a thrilling rock face for climbing and abseiling. At Galore Hill Scenic Reserve you can follow a trail to the caves where the infamous colonial bushranger Daniel ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan reputedly hid.
The Towers is a northeast rock face for climbing and abseiling in The Rock Nature Reserve-Kengal Aboriginal Place. The rock formation rises 364 metres from the plain. Visit The Rock lookout for sweeping views of the region and Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, in the distance.
The ideal way to experience both these landscapes is with Mark Saddler, an Aboriginal guide and owner of Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Adventures tours. He’ll point out middens (ancient piles of shells left behind by Traditional Landowners) and scar trees, and explain the spiritual significance of the places you visit.
See more sculptures and artworks in the Spirit of the Land Lockhart Festival. Held in October, the annual celebration displays internationally acclaimed sculptures made from recycled farm materials. Another popular attraction is the Lockhart Truck Show, a vintage festival with fun children’s activities held at the showground in March.
Lockhart is a 5.5-hour drive from Sydney, just over four hours from Melbourne and 3.5 hours from Canberra. You can also fly into Wagga Wagga Airport and hire a car for the 45-minute drive. A range of accommodation is available in and around Lockhart including motels, farm stays and campgrounds.
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