GRIFFITH  and Cootamundra,

towns in  New South Wales ,state in Australia ,  present many attractions for tourists .

Griffith charms one with its urban design which came from Berley Griffin , who design of nation capital Canberra ,  gave  also  beside that attractive  design of this well designed town. Town  being center to the RIVERINA region of farming , horticulture and specifically wine industry presents visitors with many delightful impressions. While approaching the town one passes colorful orchards  , wineries and fresh water canals providing irrigation for the riches of mother nature produce , so tenderly cultivated by the farmers of the region . Area developed by many generations of Italian migrants who one can say created “Australian Lombardy “ ,in this Riverina  region to remind them of far away home , Italy , inspires visitors .. MAMMA MIA , one could say and yes MIA , it is abbreviation of Murrumbidge Irrigation  Area, great concept which was developed first at early earth of 1900^th ,  and continued after huge dry spell and drought of  1930^th . Of course with Italian migrants hard labour  to make the place , huge center for wineries , prunes , oranges , vegetable growing on irrigated fields  with water supplied by many canals, also returning Australian soldiers “diggers”   from WWI and WWII , played big role in development of town and the whole area.  These brave soldiers , here in Riverina swapped arms  for  plough.

Not far away from Griffith , one can reach by coach or train ,Cootamundra . This lovely town , being birth place of Sir Donald Bradman , top Australian cricket sportsman , brings many cricket player , spectators to pay tribute to this great Australian icon of the sportsman . But not only  cricket loving visitors come here .  Many others who wish to explore the region find Cootamundra with its history and pleasing architectural designs of buildings , houses and cottages  natural choice to stay here for few days . Here one can experience taste of “ true blue” Aussie atmosphere of  country town friendliness , see the Victorian and art deco structures and enjoy colours of surrounding hills and fields .  The town name as it is said could be derived from Wiradjuri tribe language  , where  word “ guudhamang “meaning  “turtle” , could  give origin to the name of town , which  was established by gold rush of 1860^th .Cootamundra being half way by train trip between Sydney and Melbourne , can provide splendid opportunity to use the place as base for exploration of southern NSW .

The region of NSW with these interesting town can be reached  by train , coaches  from major cities of Sydney and Melbourne .

WMIG

September 2017