Where To Eat, Stay & Play In Wagga Wagga

It may be known as the land of many crows, but Wagga Wagga and surrounds are fast evolving into the land of boutique stays, quality coffee, gourmet restaurants, fine wines and rich cultural experiences.

Planted alongside the Murrumbidgee River near the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales’ Riverina region is Wagga Wagga. Translated as ‘the land of many crows’ from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal language, the inland city is emerging as one of the state’s most idyllic weekend escapes. We’ve uncovered the best places to eat, stay and play while you’re there.

Wagga Wagga restaurants

Dig into a selection of exquisite meals at these top restaurants and cafes in Wagga Wagga.

Larry’s

Larry’s , formerly known as 10BestSt, is located on one of the main streets in the centre of town and is one of the most popular cafes in Wagga Wagga. The specialty coffee roasters serve up excellent coffee alongside a well-rounded breakfast menu. You’ll find old favourites such as eggs benedict, smashed avocado, eggs your way and toasted muesli served with seasonal fruits and yoghurt, as well as a selection of tasty sides to build your own ideal dish.

Address: 10 Best Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Fitz Cafe

At first glance, Fitz Cafe looks like a tiny takeaway cafe with limited outdoor seating, but step inside through the door to the left and you’ll find the cafe’s cosy indoor seating area. Industrial-looking lights dangle from the jungle growth of greenery on the ceiling and chilled tunes play over the speakers. Sit and enjoy a coffee and one of the many treats from the cafe’s counter cabinet or choose from their extensive all-day breakfast menu. There are also salads, wraps and focaccias available to order for lunch. The cafe offers gluten-free and vegan options.

Address: 84-86 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Trail Street Coffee Shop

The Trail Street Coffee Shop is a bit of an institution in Wagga. Established in 1999, the cafe grinds up specialty beans from Full Circle Coffee Roasters and serves one of the best coffees you’ll find in town.

It’s the kind of quirky, edgy cafe you’d expect to find in diverse Sydney suburbs like Marrickville, with lycra-clad cyclists sitting outside enjoying their coffee pit stop, early risers typing away on their laptops and groups of young and old who come for the food, coffee and company. Top it all off with a stellar breakfast and lunch menu and you can see why this is a local favourite.

a close-up shot of a brunch meal at Trail St Coffee Shop, Wagga Wagga — Stop by for brunch at Trail St Coffee Shop. (Image: Justine Brentenall)

Address: 34 Trail Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Cottontail Restaurant & Winery

While Wagga Wagga is filled with cosy pubs that have extensive wine lists, it’s worth heading out of town and checking out drops straight from the vine. This family-owned-and-run restaurant and vineyard is just 15 minutes from the centre of town. Ask for a seat on the deck so you can enjoy the view (they have ample heating, so don’t worry about the cold).

Cottontail’s menu offers a mix of real good comfort food and modern dining, so you can share a few wood-fired pizzas or go a bit fancier with crispy pork belly or the trio of lamb. Don’t skip dessert – the rice chocolate pave with salted caramel, toasted hazelnuts and ice-cream is not to be missed.

a close-up shot of food at Cottontail Restaurant & Winery, Wagga Wagga — Discover cheesy favourites at Cottontail Restaurant & Winery.

Address: 562 Pattersons Road, Eunanoreenya, NSW

The Artisan Baker

You can even find a little slice of France in Wagga at the Artisan Baker on Morgan Street in the town centre. The French-born owner and baker creates the most delectable French pastries, sweets and fresh, crunchy, soft-centred baguettes.

Address: 2/189 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Wagga Wagga accommodation

Wagga Wagga is an RV-friendly town, but if you’re heading in sans caravan it’s worth considering some of the state’s most unique and luxurious accommodation options that can be found just outside of Wagga. You’ll leave feeling refreshed from a rural escape in the Riverina and energised from the peaceful surrounds of the Australian bush.

Kimo Estate

Nothing says cosy, country escape like a couple of nights in a wooden-and-glass eco hut on top of a hill, complete with a fireplace, expansive views of the night sky and nothing but rolling green hills to see in every direction.

A stay at one of Kimo Estate’s eco huts is luxury glamping at its absolute best. Linger under the rainfall shower and lather up the beautiful Leif body products, then sit by the fire with a glass or two of Gundagai’s own Borambola Wines shiraz.

a wood-fired hot tub outside the Sweeney's Eco Hut on Kimo Estate, Nangus near Gundagai. — Soak in a wood-fired hot tub outside your rustic eco hut. (Image: Destination NSW)

A gourmet dinner basket for two is available to order and delivered direct to your door ready to cook on the barbecue. Breakfast isn’t overlooked either. You’ll find homemade baked beans, eggs, bacon, cherry tomatoes in balsamic dressing and fresh sourdough bread in the bushman outdoor fridge.

Kimo Estate bedroom — Wake up to the countryside at Kimo Estate (image: Matt Beaver).

The eco hut has everything you need to unwind from the busyness of life and reconnect with nature. While it is closer to Gundagai than Wagga, as you’re sitting on the deck watching the sun drop behind the hills of Kimo and the sky change from hues of pink to purple and blue, you’ll agree it is more than worth the drive.

the scenic grounds of Kimo Estate, Nangus near Gundagai — Kimo Estate features luxury A-frame Eco hut cottages. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 1218 Nangus Road, Gundagai, NSW

Things to do in Wagga Wagga

There is plenty to experience in and around Wagga; you’ll find everything from foodie experiences and wineries to Aboriginal cultural tours.

Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours

I can’t recommend the Bundyi Cultural Tours enough. Spending a couple of hours with Mark Saddler, a proud Wiradjuri man, will enrich your understanding of the local Aboriginal culture in significant ways. Not only do you get to learn about plants, animals, the Wiradjuri language, tool-making and bush tucker on a walking tour of central Wagga; but Mark encourages respectful discussion of the impact of what has been taken from his people and his vision for how we can work together towards a better future.

visitors admiring the scenery during a walking tour with Bundyi Cultural Tours — Soak up the history and majestic scenery in Wagga Wagga with Bundyi Cultural Tours. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 7/295 Copland St, Wagga Wagga NSW

Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory

Could there be a better combination than licorice and chocolate? Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory . Owner Neil Druce is as much of a town attraction as the restored flour mill that houses his factory. Back in 1998 he had the ingenious idea to use the wheat and spelt grown on his family’s Green Grove Organics farm in Ardlethan to make licorice. Today his products can be found in shops all around Australia and overseas.

Tours are open to the public daily and allow visitors to see the magic happen behind the scenes. You can also make your own giant chocolate freckle or rocky road, or if you’d rather just eat it all you can stock up on sweets at the shop at the end.

Stay for lunch at the Millroom restaurant and if you’re visiting on a weekend there is live music from 11 am to 3 pm.

Address: 45-61 Lord Street, Junee, NSW

Coolamon Cheese Tour and Tasting

Is cheese your love language? You’ll want to take a drive to Coolamon Cheese . Take a tour of the cheese factory, eat a cheese-inspired meal (can recommend the nachos) and top it all off with a tasting platter of the Coolamon Cheese range.

Its range of semi-hard cheeses uses native ingredients such as bush tomato, alpine pepper, lemon myrtle and river mint to create uniquely Australian flavours. It also makes an impressive range of blue, soft and hard cheeses. All its cheese is handmade onsite and developed under the guidance of international award-winning cheesemaker, Jenn Nestor.

Make sure you stock up on accompaniments for your selection of take-home cheeses, like vanilla figs and spiced pumpkin chutney – the shop’s selection of providores is highly curated, and all products are designed to complement the cheeses on offer.

Take your time choosing from many varieties at Coolamon Cheese Co.

Address: 87 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon, NSW

Borambola Wines cellar door tasting

Make time for a wine tasting at Borambola Wines . The owner-operator Tim McMullen is as much of a gifted storyteller as he is winemaker. There is a tale behind every wine you taste, from the time Prince Charles announced his “double joy" at tasting Tim’s wines to the bullet scars in the walls of the Old Borambola Homestead left behind after a visit from the notorious bushranger Captain Moonlite in the late 1800s.

Taste a selection of his red, white and sparkling wines, as well as his Tuckerbox ‘Hoppy Lager’ beer and apple cider; best enjoyed alongside a cheese platter. If you’re a red wine lover, you should definitely purchase a few bottles of the Hiraji’s Spell shiraz and Moonlight cabernet sauvignon.

The cellar door is open Thursday to Monday for tastings by appointment or book in a group tasting.

the exterior of Borambola Wines homestead — Head to Borambola Wines for a glass of chardonnay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 1734 Sturt Highway, Borambola, NSW

Charles Sturt Winery

While you’re on the wine-tasting circuit, make another stop at Charles Sturt Wines cellar door on the university campus. You’ll find a selection of Charles Sturt’s boutique wine range to taste and buy.

After your tasting, we’d recommend ordering a cheese platter, a bottle of wine and sitting outside to enjoy the views of the countryside. The cellar door is open for tastings and sales from Wednesday to Sunday.

Wine and cheese board from CSU Winery in Wagga — Order a cheese platter, a bottle of wine and sit outside to enjoy the views of the countryside.

Address: Mambarra Drive, Charles Sturt University Campus, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Food I Am Cooking Class

If you’d call yourself a foodie and you love experimenting in the kitchen, you’ll want to treat yourself to this unique culinary experience. Set up high on a hill overlooking Wagga’s countryside, it’s easy to see why Food I Am’s site doubles as a popular wedding reception location.

The cooking school offers a range of masterclasses run by guest chefs. You’ll be introduced to numerous cooking techniques and cuisines from around the world – and get to eat everything that’s cooked on the day with regional wine and beer to drink. Classes usually run for around four hours. Find the latest available classes to book on its website .

Aerial shot of Food I Am cooking class eating on long table in Wagga Wagga — Don’t miss this cooking class when you’re in Wagga. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 29 Kunzea Place (Off Dunns Road), Springvale, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

Where to eat, stay and play in Wagga Wagga