Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba, New South Wales © Tourism Australia
Guide to the Eastern Riverina
Aboriginal name: Wiradjuri Country
Where fertile river country sets the scene for paddock-to-plate dining, unforgettable farm stays and a vibrant art scene.
The Eastern Riverina is a rewarding regional getaway, hiding halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Join the locals at farmgates, cellar doors, olive groves and apple orchards. Explore provenance-driven art, wood-fired hot tubs on pretty hilltops and generous pub meals. Welcome to the Eastern Riverina.
The Eastern Riverina sits on Wiradjuri Country. For over 40,000 years, the Wiradjuri people have been the Traditional Custodians of this land, caring for its rivers, plains, forests and skies. Wagga Wagga, the region’s largest town, derives its name from the Wiradjuri word ‘Wagga,’ meaning crow.
- Traditional name: Wiradjuri Country
- Indigenous Peoples: Wiradjuri people
- Traditional lands: Wiradjuri Country stretches across a vast area of central and southern New South Wales. The Eastern Riverina sits at the heart of this Country.
- Traditional languages: Wiradjuri language
The drive from both Sydney and Melbourne to Wagga Wagga is approximately five hours. The quickest way to access the region is hopping aboard a regional flight.
- Wagga Wagga Airport (WGA) is at the centre of the region and has daily direct services from Sydney and Melbourne.
- Albury Airport (ABX) is 113km (70mi) from Wagga Wagga (about a 1.5-hour drive) with services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
- Canberra Airport (CBR) is the closest international airport and is 250km (155mi), or a three-hour drive, from Wagga Wagga.
Road tripping the Riverina is a journey rewarded with dramatic, changing landscapes and farmgate discoveries. Pick up a car at Wagga Wagga, Albury or Canberra Airport and wind your way along the well-kept roads. Be sure to spend some time driving through the Snowy Valleys Way.
With each season comes something equally spectacular to see and experience in the Eastern Riverina. In spring, flowering fruit trees flood the plains with sweet aromas and wildflowers dance across the Snowy Valley foothills. Waterfalls and swimming holes are most inviting in summer, autumnal harvest season is a great time to see the region’s bounty, and winter is best spent fireside at a farmstay.
- High season: Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November)
- Low season: Summer (December to February) and winter (June to August)
To travel the Eastern Riverina with utmost confidence, it’s best to call tour operators and accommodation providers to discuss your specific access requirements.
- Arrival: Services for people with disabilities are available at Wagga Wagga, Albury and Canberra airports.
- Getting around: Most major attractions, restaurants and public spaces in Wagga Wagga are accessible. Local taxis offer accessible vehicle options upon request, but the fleet size is limited. For travel outside of Wagga Wagga, coordinate a suitable car option in advance with your car hire company.
- Accessible experience highlights: The Wiradjuri Trail that connects Wagga Wagga with nature reserves and First Nation’s history has paved portions perfect for accessible explorations.
- Helpful resources: To search for a suitable stay, head to Accessible Accommodation.
