| YASS - NEW SOUTH WALES - 2582 | ||||
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Population: 5,590 Height above sea level: 500m Latitude: 34.5100 Longitude: 148.5400 Location: 280km south west of Sydney Highway: Hume Hwy (31) Nearest Major Town: Yass Nearest Airport: Canberra Touring Area: Capital Country & ACT |
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 Historic Cooma Cottage | |
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The first European settlement on the banks of the Yass River took place
following the pioneering expedition of Hume and Hovell in 1824. The town has
subsequently grown in importance as a regional centre for an extensive rural
community and as a central location for tourism activities.
The town has a number of historic churches and cemeteries, and the Court House, Police Station and horses' posts are classified by the National Trust. Next to the Tourism and Development Centre is the Hamilton Hume Museum. Cooma Cottage, the home of Hume is currently being developed as a major attraction in the region. Sited 3.5km. on the Sydney side of Yass, the building, exhibits and insights of the resident curators, give credit to the complex character of this pioneer. Burrinjuck Dam and associated recreational areas are located south-west of the town. Situated just north of Canberra and 3 hours from Sydney, Yass is located at the heart of one of the most picturesque rural districts in NSW. The town sits among rolling hills, in rich grazing country that has provided its reputation as the 'Fine Wool Centre of Australia'. Yass has produced some of Australia's best superfine wool since 1824. Discovered by Hume and Hovell during the 1800s, the natural beauty and superior agricultural land of the Yass Valley, led famous Australian explorer Hamilton Hume and the poet Banjo Paterson's family to settle in the area. Cooma Cottage, Hume's home for over 30 years, is now a National Trust Property open to the public for viewing during the warmer months. The Yass Valley as a whole is comprised of the townships of Binalong, Bowning, Bookham, Gundaroo, Sutton, Murrumbateman, Wee Jasper and Yass town. The area's major industries include: agriculture, tourism, wool-production, construction and viticulture. From humble beginnings in the 1850s, Yass Valley is now a major grape growing area with over 3,500 hectares under vine, and is home to over 35 wineries and many award winning cool climate wines. Ideally located on the Hume Highway, the town lies at the nexus of transport and fibre optic links between Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The town is also serviced by rail and linked to Canberra by the Barton Highway. As a tourism destination, Yass Valley brims with life during the hot and happy months of summer, where visitors of all ages will find something to delight them including swimming, sailing, fishing, paragliding, camping, caving, rock climbing, abseiling or searching for 40 million year old fossils at Wee Jasper. PLACES OF INTEREST:
INFORMATION CENTRE: Yass Visitor Information Centre Coronation Park. Yass. NSW 2582 Ph: 02 6226 2557. Fax: 02 6226 1509 HOW TO GET THERE: By car along the Hume Hwy. (31) or Barton Hwy (25) from Canberra | ||||||||
© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins