Liven up your summer holidays with these fun activities
There is plenty for locals to see and do in Wagga Wagga and surrounds over the summer holidays with a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences to enjoy.
Our Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary is open seven days a week during the school holidays (except for Christmas Day) and is free to enter.
There are some new residents, like baby kangaroos, baby turkeys and baby ducks that visitors can come and meet.
To beat the heat, there are plenty of indoor activities available at our local facilities, including the library, which will host events at the Civic Centre site and at our rural villages.
Library Outreach Services Team
Leader Wendy Harper said local artist Elaine Camlin will be hosting Watercolour Printmaking workshops in Galore on Tuesday 14 January.
Additionally, the library will be running drop-in sessions in Oura and Mangoplah.
“We’ll be playing games, making craft, having a cuppa, and a Nintendo Switch will be available as well,” Ms Harper said.
“There will also be the Summer Reading Challenge, Storytime Sessions, Family Aussie Movie Friday and other fun activities available at the library.”
A special holiday treat will be a reading
and signing event with children’s author Sandhya Parappukkaran at 10.30am on 21 January. It is free, but bookings are necessary.
The Museum of the Riverina – Botanic Gardens site will be presenting multiple free activities, including video games, craft workshops, LEGO® Minifigure Hunt, accompanied by free icy poles, water, and sunscreen.
The Museum’s Historic Council Chambers site is presenting two new exhibitions: The Lex Factor – From Wagga to the World Stage and The 2024 Annual Bald Archy Prize Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is hosting a variety of workshops for primary and high-school aged kids.
The Oasis Aquatic Centre will have Inflatable Days, with large inflatable play equipment available on the outdoor pool on weekends.
For those looking to explore on foot or by bicycle, take advantage of the Active Travel network featuring more than 50 kilometres of shared pathways extending throughout the city and surrounds.
Families can also enjoy any of the 100plus playgrounds available in our local government area, a number of which have brand new shade sails installed for extra sun protection.
To find out what’s on near you, go to visitwagga.com
Council administration will close for the Christmas holiday period. Check our website to see our opening hours over the festive season.
admire two portraits of Lex Marinos, one of Wagga Wagga’s greatest exports.
Two great exhibitions at the Museum of the Riverina this summer
The Museum of the Riverina has two new exhibitions this summer: The Lex Factor: From Wagga to the World Stage and The 2024 Bald Archy Prize
Both exhibitions are on display at the Museum’s Historic Council Chambers. Council’s Manager Museum Luke Grealy said the Museum was thrilled to host both the return of The Bald Archy Prize at the end of its 2024 tour and an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Wagga Wagga icon Lex Marinos OAM.
“Our latest exhibitions will be officially launched at 5.30pm on Friday 20 December at the Museum’s Historic Council Chambers site, and we encourage the community to come and help us celebrate,” Mr Grealy said.
“Lex Marinos was one of our city’s greatest exports and a much-loved figure nationally.
“Before he died, Lex Marinos and the Museum were collaborating to create an exhibition exploring the 75 years since Lex made his debut in Wagga Wagga, on 1 February 1949, a place he was always proud to call home.
“Lex was a multi-faceted Renaissance man who long-championed diversity and equality within his chosen profession.
“The exhibition is not only a fitting tribute to this iconic Greek-Australian, but also a fond farewell to a beloved performer who will be greatly missed.” Mr Grealy said The Bald Archy Prize showcases the best of satirical portraiture from across Australia.
“The exhibit pokes fun at Australia's biggest figures, from sportsmen to politicians, and encapsulates the irreverent, larrikin Australian spirit in a way that appeals to people from all walks of life.
“This is the final stop for the 2024 Bald Archy tour, so come and see it before it’s gone!”
For more information visit museumriverina.com.au/whatson
Although Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, it’s also a time where our bins fill up to the brim a little more than usual.
Being mindful of your waste this gift-giving season can make a huge difference and doesn’t have to impact the activities of the holidays.
Wagga Wagga City Council Supervisor Solid Waste Tammie Cook says that when it comes to this time of year, there are lots of ways to enjoy celebrations while also being waste efficient.
“When wrapping gifts, you can use newspaper pages, reusable fabric wrapping, pillowcases, or kids’ drawings, which helps limit the amount of plastic going into landfill,” Ms Cook said.
“If wrapping paper can be salvaged after opening presents, you can hold onto it for next year to save money.
“You can also use ribbons or cloth to tie up the wrapped gifts to avoid sticky tape or even give presents in glass bottles or containers to avoid wrapping altogether.
“Encouraging your loved ones to ‘thrift gifts’ this Christmas is also a cheap and fun way to save items from landfill. There are plenty of unique and special items that still have plenty of love to give.”
Waste doesn’t just come in plastic form either. Each festive season, Australians
also waste large amounts of leftover food.
“If you’re joining with family and friends these holidays, delegating a plate or food item to each person can ensure no one doubles up and that the event is not over catered.
“But, of course, there’s always going to be a little bit of waste. Making sure you’re placing waste in the right bins will help ensure everything is disposed of correctly.”
Christmas food and organic waste is to be discarded in the green lid bin, while wrapping paper, toy boxes, and cardboard food boxes need to go in the yellow lid bin.
Christmas lights and artificial trees
can be discarded in the red lid bin or taken to Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC), while cardboard and polystyrene can be dropped off at the centre for free.
There are multiple household waste guides and resources available on the Council website to help you to be confident about what you are putting into your bins: wagga.nsw.gov.au/waste
There will be no changes to kerbside waste services during the holiday period.
Details of the operating times for GWMC and the Tip Shop over the Christmas – New Year period, are listed on our website: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ tradinghours
BEST OF THE REGION: (from left) Vortex Entertainment Co-Founder Adam Drummond, Council’s Visitor Economy Development Officer Cassandra Farquharson, and Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s Chief Executive Officer Jason Ferrario with the new Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide.
your 2025 Wagga Wagga + Surrounds visit
A new 68-page Wagga Wagga + Surrounds visitor guide has been launched, showcasing the diverse and unique visitor experiences our destination has to offer.
The 2025 Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide highlights signature attractions, places to dine, boutique shopping and accommodation in our city and surrounding region.
“Tourism is a key economic driver for our city, with Wagga Wagga Take care of your waste this Christmas
Through stunning imagery, Wiradjuri language and design, itinerary suggestions and inspirational storytelling, the guide encourages visitors to uncover the best adventures, produce, dining, culture, shopping, events and more on a visit to the region.
Council’s Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker said the region has a diverse variety of offerings for all travellers, which is evident in the more than 160 tourism listings featured in the 2025 guide.
26 DEC, 4PM – 12AM Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. New Year's Eve 2024 TUE 31 DEC, 6.30PM – 10PM Apex Park, Eastlake Dr. PCYC School
Activities THU 2 JAN – MON 3 FEB PCYC, 11 Fitzhardinge St. Riverina Producers Market THU 2 JAN, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Riverina Comedy Club: Peter Helliar FRI 3 JAN, 8PM – 10PM Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St.
Bush
welcoming 1.2 million visitors each year, contributing $385 million to the city’s economy,” Ms Parker said.
“The guide puts our best foot forward, showing visitors and those planning on visiting, exactly what they can uncover and experience across our city and surrounding region, and helps build on our visitation and economic footprint year-on-year.”
The guide highlights that our region is a great destination to visit any time of the year, with strategic partnerships in place with neighbouring shire council areas including Coolamon, Temora, Junee, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Snowy Valleys, Lockhart Shire, Greater Hume and Narrandera.
Owner of Wagga Wagga’s Vortex
Entertainment Adam Drummond said the release of the guide is perfect timing for the festive and school holiday period.
“As a new business in Wagga Wagga, one-year in, we’re pleased to have products and promotion like the visitor guide showcasing what’s on offer across our region,” Mr Drummond said.
“While our offering is a great familyfriendly indoor activity, it’s also really important to know what else is in our region so we can recommend visitors to other great attractions while staying here – which is what the guide achieves.”
Distribution of the visitor guide is underway.
Copies are available now at the Visitor Information Centre or can be download at visitwagga.com
Dance SAT 4 JAN, 7.30PM – 12AM Downside Hall, Downside-Shepherds Siding Rd. Willans Hill Miniature Railway SUN 5 JAN, 10AM – 2.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 0412 439 455 Miniature Worlds: Matchbox Dioramas WED 8 JAN, 11AM – 1PM
JAN, 11AM – 1PM
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