Attractions in Wagga Wagga
Victory Memorial Gardens
One of the most popular attractions in Wagga Wagga is the Victory Memorial Gardens. They are edged by the Wollundry Lagoon, a billabong off the main Murrumbidgee River, and the little-known but peaceful Collins Park. Collins Park has an unusual memorial to the men from Wagga who served in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. Recently this was made famous by the movie Breaker Morant.
It is a memorial to nearly 100 soldiers from Wagga who served in this little-known campaign fighting for the British Empire. When the first soldiers departed on 23 October 1899, Australia as a political entity did not exist.
By the 1930s the gardens had become a hugely popular local attraction. The Daily Advertiser reported in January 1934 that: “These delightful gardens are becoming increasingly popular, and large parties make it a rendezvous, especially in the cool of the evening. No more delightful spot could be imagined, with the big sweeping green lawns and restful shady nooks.”
The gardens also feature an avenue of poplar trees, a life-sized copper sculpture of the Jolly Swagman boiling his billy, the Pioneer Memorial Sundial, a sunken garden, a senses garden for the blind, a children’s play area, picnic facilities, swans, ducks, geese, waterfowl, fish and tortoises.
Where: Between Thompson and Forsyth Streets, Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery
The Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery is located in the Civic Centre, at the corner of Morrow and Baylis Streets. It has no permanent exhibitions but rather showcases a range of travelling exhibitions throughout the year.
National Art Glass Collection
In the same building as the Regional Art Gallery (the Civic Centre) is the National Art Glass Collection (it was formally designated with this title in 1992) which contains one of the largest collections of studio glass in the country.
The National Art Glass Collection is so good it can justify a trip to the city. The curator, Michael Scarrone, is passionate about glass and has collected a superb and representative cross-section of the very best of the art in Australia. The collection includes work from the 1970s to the present day. Included is a stunning stained glass work by Leonard French titled “Toorak Ceiling” and a fascinating mixed ceramics and glasswork by South Australian artist Stephen Skillitzi titled “Bush Play”.
The gallery holds over 500 pieces with only a small number being on display. It is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, from midday to 4.00 pm on Sundays and it is closed Mondays, tel: (02) 6926 9660. There is no admission charge.
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Centre
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Victory Memorial Gardens, Wagga Wagga NSW, Australia
TodayOpen Now~- Monday09:00 - 17:00
- Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
- Thursday09:00 - 17:00
- Friday09:00 - 17:00
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