Wombat, New South Wales
Wombat is a town in South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Olympic Highway, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south-west of the regional centre of Young. It is in the local government area of Hilltops Council.
History
The area was occupied by the indigenous Wiradjuri people for thousands of years.
- 1860 – Gold discovered at nearby Young. 20,000 miners converge on surrounding areas. Wombat Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.
- 1865 – The village of Wombat was established. Many Chinese miners moved to the area taking plots of land.
- 1867 – Wombat Public School was founded in a bark hut
- 1873 – foundation stone of St Matthew's Church of England laid
- 1875 – Roman Catholic Church built
- 1877 – Wombat Hotel began trading
- 1880 – Carlo Lazzarini, (1880–1952), NSW politician and trade unionist was born in Wombat
- 1895 – Mechanics Institute opened
- 1903 – Wombat Hotel's current building constructed
- 1910 – Roman Catholic convent opened
- 1921 – shop and post office destroyed by fire
- 1923 – Wombat Soldiers' Memorial hall officially opened
- 1924 – the old hall was destroyed by fire
- 1950s & 1960s – The Olympic Way highway was built through
At the 2016 census, Wombat had a population of 225.
Attractions
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- "The Wombat Hotel", which has had a continuous liquor licence since 1877, making it the longest in New South Wales.
- "Allambie Orchard", A cherry orchard that allows people to pick their own fruit in season
- "Wombat Heights", a farm on a hill which produces jam, fruit wine and liqueurs from traditional recipes. Visitors are invited to do-it-themselves.
- "Wilkies Cottage Restaurant/Café".
- "The Old Convent Geranium Nursery", Hope St, offers many colours & varieties of miniatures of variegated, climbing and scented Pelargonium geraniums.
The highway into Wombat is graced with a statue of a wombat, made of local material, which was unveiled in 2002.