Goulburn

New South Wales

By James Anthony

Goulburn War Memorial Tower
Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum

When you first drive into the New South Wales town of Goulburn the main thing you notice is a massive merino sheep on the side of the road.

No, it isn't roadkill - but 15x18 metre statue dedicated to the merinos that made the countryside around Goulburn one of the biggest and richest wool areas in Australia.

As someone who loathes big anythings - be it bananas, prawns, pineapples or golf balls - the car kept on its way and the camera remained out of hand.

Anyway, despite the horrendous initial sight, Goulburn is an interesting sort of place and due to its being the first inland city in Australia has a lot of historical buildings and things to see.

There are some very nice cathedrals, a really interesting war memorial, a rail heritage centre and a most-excellent old brewery.

Seeing as it had been a long drive let's start with the brewery. It is Australia's oldest brewery complex and now produces boutique beers. Not only can you totter around the brew hall, but also check out the steam mill, barrel-making area, stables and old cottages.

If the exercise has you a little parched then there are tastings, a restaurant or, for the more discerning, an art gallery. The old brewery is open seven days a week from 11am and it will cost you $5.

While we are on the subject of history and buildings you can pop in to see Goulburn's original steam-driven water pumphouse. It was built in the 1880s and is the only survivor of regional New South Wales' early water works.

At full steam more than 660,000 litres of water an hour were pushed out!

The pumphouse is now a museum and you really can get an idea of how water delivery has changed over the years - going from barrels delivered by cart right through to the modern day. Mind you, with water levels in the area at around 28% the current supply probably tastes little better than that delivered in the 1880s!

Mind you it should be pointed out that you can get a decent meal in Goulburn - particularly Thai.

The museum is open on a few weekends a year so better email the museum for details on museums@goulburn.nsw.gov.au

If you like strolling around then Goulburn's information centre can point you in the right direction for self-guided walking tours of dwellings and structures from the 1830s and 1840s.

They take about an hour and if you are into seeing houses and buildings used by early Australians then this is a good way to not only have your legs stretched but also your eyes opened.

Now sitting overlooking Goulburn is an amazing memorial to the men who died during the First World War (1914-1918). It is a rough stone tower that was built in 1924 by the local townsfolk.

At the entrance to the tower site there is a small military museum that is open between 10am and 2pm. Admission is free, although donations are welcomed.