Villages
Bendick Murrell | Bribbaree | Frogmore | Galong | Jugiong | Kingsvale | Koorawatha | Maimuru | Monteagle | Murringo | Reids Flat | Rugby | Rye Park | Wirrimah | Wombat
The Villages of the Hilltops Region, NSW
Where you’ll meet local characters full of charm and heart
Surrounding the major townships of Boorowa, Harden-Murrumburrah and Young, the villages of the Hilltops Region offer more than just picturesque views — they’re full of personality, history and hidden treasures.
Bendick Murrell
Bendick Murrell village, located 20-minutes north-east of Young and a short drive from the road to Koorawatha, was originally a railway maintenance settlement, named after the pastoral station on which it was built. Now the region’s equestrian centre, it is recognised for its regular events and first-rate recreation ground.
Bribbaree
Bribbaree, on the edge of the Hilltops Region, is just 35 minutes west of Young, at the beginning of the great Western Plains of NSW. The village has a marvellous pub and is an excellent base for exploring the Weddin Mountains and Ben Hall’s Caves to the east. Walkers will want to start their treks from here. The vibrant community spirit is evident in the welcome delivered by friendly locals, and the church buildings are worth a look.
Frogmore
Frogmore is a pleasant 25-minutes north-east of Boorowa. Copper was first discovered and mined in Frogmore in the 1850s, and the area yielded silver and tungsten. Frogmore is a gateway to Wyangala Dam, a site for watersports, canoeing and waterskiing; there’s a good caravan park and pleasant walks.
Galong
Galong shares Boorowa’s Irish heritage and is known for its remarkable walled cemetery and spectacular monuments in marble and sandstone. Another striking building is the beautiful historic monastery which houses St Clement’s Retreat and Conference Centre.
Jugiong
Hilltops Region meets the Hume Highway at Jugiong on the Murrumbidgee, one of Australia’s great inland rivers. Jugiong has become renowned for gourmet’s go-to destination for quality meals, wine and produce: The Sir George, Jugiong Wine Cellar, and Long Track Pantry. For travelling vehicles, rest up at the fantastic riverside campground. Take the road from Jugiong to Harden-Murrumburrah and witness a picturesque introduction to the region, with changing vistas and gorgeous rolling hills.
Kingsvale
Kingsvale is just 10 minutes from Young on the Back Creek Road in the heart of Hilltop’s stone fruit industry with several large orchards running up to the town limits. Beautiful vistas of the Hilltops can be seen as you head along the Back Creek Road to Harden.
Koorawatha
Only 30 minutes from Young, and 20 minutes from Murringo, a cheerful welcome greets you at the Koorawatha Hotel, a lovely Victorian-style building. If you have a 4WD, take the gravelled road up to Koorawatha Nature Reserve favoured for bird watching and bush walks. A popular visiting time would be after heavy rain, when Koorawatha Falls is flowing spectacularly.
Maimuru
Maimaru is 15-minutes north-west of Young, sits on a steep rise offering views of the surrounding broad acres and orchards, Maimuru is a picturesque photo-stop on your visit to the Hilltops region. Its sweet traditional wooden Public School overlooks the whole valley of Maimuru. A post World War 1 soldier settlement, its intensive prune production has given way to olive and dairy production.
Monteagle
Located 15-minutes north of Young surrounded by orchards and olive groves, Monteagle has highlights you can’t miss. New and popular to our region, Bulla Creek Brewing Co. make fresh batches of beer, and it’s worth to visit Glencara—Home of the Rustic Maze during their exciting open days. Make a pitstop at Tout’s Lookout, one of the most stunning locales in the region and a Wiradjuri place of significance.
Murringo
Murringo is about 20 minutes from Young or Boorowa, founded in the gold rush era. As the oldest village in the region, Murringo has several Georgian cottages, and the 1862 schoolhouse. The town often hosts events such as markets, galleries, performances, and other ceremonies. Heading north along Murringo Gap Road, you’ll spy its namesake on the horizon, the “Murringo Gap”. Nestled between beautiful twin hills, lies a quiet picnic area beside the village’s creek that runs through it.
Reids Flat
Located one-hour north-east of Boorowa, Reids Flat is above the banks of the Lachlan River. Such a pretty town, the tiered streets emphasise the speedy rate of the rise of the region’s rivers. The well-maintained timber school and the church are valued community assets; there’s a picnic ground on the flat beside the Lachlan where you can enjoy your sandwiches and tea in peace.
Rugby
Rugby was built when the Walla Walla copper mine operated; the village is about 25-minutes north-east of Boorowa. On the way you’ll see a ruined mining village, old mine-heads scar the landscape. The Rugby Community Hall is a fine building with beautiful brickwork; the adjacent war memorial recreation ground would be a greater place for a picnic, with two early church buildings on the slope on the other side of the road giving further architectural interest.
Rye Park
Rye Park is located 20-minutes south-east of Boorowa and is the entrance to Hilltops from the centre of Yass. Rye Park was the site of one of the richest silver mines in New South Wales. The wide-open pastureland and ridges give a sense of space as you drive along, and the town has a number of attractive houses, and the cemetery is well planted.
Wirrimah
Still surrounded by plum and olive orchards, in a sweet little valley where kangaroos graze alongside sheep, the only real indication of Wirrimah’s soldier settler past are the remains of the prune dehydrator, now a private house. The drive from Bendick Murrell or from Koorawatha or Monteagle (on the Scenic Road) is one of the loveliest in the district.
Wombat
Located on the Olympic Highway, 15 minutes south-west of Young, Wombat has a collection of gems to explore, including the cutest wombat statue. There’s a cellar door for cherry wine, an amazing café, handmade crafts, an OP shop, campground, and a hotel with New South Wales’ longest continuous liquor licence, granted in 1877.
