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.

Wombat New South Wales
Wombat Hotel, trading continuously since 1877
Wombat
Coordinates	34°25′30″S 148°14′31″E
Population	225 (2016 census)[1]
Established	1865
Postcode(s)	2587
Location	362 km (225 mi) SW of Sydney 14 km (9 mi) S of Young 16 km (10 mi) N of Wallendbeen
LGA(s)	Hilltops Council
State electorate(s)	Cootamundra
Federal division(s)	Hume

History

The area was occupied by the indigenous Wiradjuri people for thousands of years.^{[citation needed]}

• 1860 – Gold discovered at nearby Young. 20,000 miners converge on surrounding areas. Wombat Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.^[2]
• 1865 – The village of Wombat was established. Many Chinese miners moved to the area taking plots of land.^{[citation needed]}
• 1867 – Wombat Public School was founded in a bark hut^{[citation needed]}
• 1873 – foundation stone of St Matthew's Church of England laid^[3]
• 1875 – Roman Catholic Church built^[4]
• 1877 – Wombat Hotel began trading^{[citation needed]}
• 1880 – Carlo Lazzarini, (1880–1952), NSW politician and trade unionist was born in Wombat^[5]
• 1895 – Mechanics Institute opened^[6]
• 1903 – Wombat Hotel's current building constructed^{[citation needed]}
• 1910 – Roman Catholic convent opened^[7]
• 1921 – shop and post office destroyed by fire^[8]
• 1923 – Wombat Soldiers' Memorial hall officially opened^[9]
• 1924 – the old hall was destroyed by fire^[10]
• 1950s & 1960s – The Olympic Way highway was built through^{[citation needed]}

At the 2016 census, Wombat had a population of 225.^[1]

Attractions

• "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.