Fast facts
- Designed in 1914 by renowned urban planner and architect Walter Burley Griffin
- A serious food town with culinary temptations ranging from displays to tastings
- 570 km south-west of Sydney, population 7,000
Why go there
Leeton has 102 hectares of public parks and reserves and many impressive, well preserved examples of Art Deco architecture. It is also one of Australia's richest food-producing areas.
History
The Wiradjuri people, the largest Aboriginal language group in NSW, were the original inhabitants of the area. European settlement began when the railway arrived in the area in 1882, 6 km south of present-day Leeton.
Things to do
- Walk around town to view the 21 buildings listed in the register of the Art Deco Society of NSW. The best buildings are found along Kurrajong and Pine avenues.
- Cycle from Leeton to Yanco on the flat, 7-km cycleway that links the two towns. The ride starts at the Leeton Soldiers' Club.
- Head 9 km north-west of town and visit the site of the Leeton Aboriginal Mission. It’s closed now but can still be visited.
- Become a 'twitcher' for a day and spot and count the birds. Look out for the waterfowl that travel en masse to Fivebough Swamp, about 11 km from town.
- Picnic or BBQ at Yanco Weir and enjoy a fine view of the Murrumbidgee River. You can swim, boat or fish here.
Events
- Rotary Markets on the second Sunday of each month.
- Picnic Races at Easter.
- The Leeton Sunrice Country Festival, every second Easter, features a street parade, carnival, bands and activities for young and old.
Don’t miss
- The Sunrice Country Visitors Centre for rice-milling demonstrations and product tastings.
- The Berry Juice Factory, one of the largest citrus-processing plants in the country. Weekday tours are available.
- Tasting a pie from Mick’s Bakehouse – a big winner at the Great Aussie Pie Competition.
- Toorak Winery, the oldest and biggest in the area.
- A visit to the Riverina Cheese Factory, where you can watch the process of cheese-making.
