Why Wagga? (…and Ganmain)
Wagga Wagga, Wiradjuri Country, is the heart of the Riverina.
Located midway between Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, Wagga is easy to get to and full of unexpected charm. Great venues, riverside walks, spectacular Autumn colours, fantastic cafes and warm country hospitality await.
The festival will take place in and around the city’s central precinct, putting accommodation, shopping, eating, and drinking in easy reach of every concert. You will also want to duck into the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and the National Art Glass Collection.
Anchoring the precinct are the Wollundry Lagoon, watch out for the fearless ducks, and the Victory Memorial Garden. The garden is the home of the beautifully lit tree which features both in the image to the right, and across Festival materials.
Wagga Wagga is easily accessible by road, rail, and air. Direct rail and air links are available to Sydney and Melbourne.
Image: Chloe Smith Photography; Visit Wagga Wagga
Ganmain & Coolamon Shire
The Riverina is more than Wagga Wagga, and for our closing performance of the 2026 Festival we will be heading about 40 minutes out of town to Ganmain, population about 800. This is reputed to be the heart of one of the richest agricultural and pastoral corners of the Riverina.
We will be heading to the Ganmain Hall, one of the great country halls of New South Wales. Across the road, you can pick up a pie from the Ganmain Bakery, or head to Fisher & Farmer for coffee, snacks, and homewares.
Ganmain sits in Coolamon Shire. On you way to or from Wagga, you will pass through Coolamon itself. The main street, Cowabbie Street, is a heritage listed precinct. It’s worth stopping to check out the Up to Date Store, a former country department store. It now houses the collections of several local museums and something that is unique worldwide. The Lamson Cash Railway System is the only type of its kind still in-situ anywhere in the world. What’s a Lamson Cash Railway System? You will have to stop in to find out.
