26 August 2019

Canberra Day Trips: Taralga – the town that’s celebrating turning 200 this year

| Canberra Day Trips
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Taralga’s Argyle Inn. Photo: Facebook.

Tiny Taralga is turning 200 years old and it’s time to celebrate! The small, character-filled town that is a centre of fine wool production and perhaps best known for its Australia Day Rodeo, will be showcasing the region through food, music, culture and fun in a warm country atmosphere at A Taste of Taralga in October.

Taralga is in the Southern Tablelands. It’s a short hop from both Goulburn and Crookwell, and also on the way to the spectacular Wombeyan Caves, around 40 minutes’ drive away, where you can explore life underground in the magnificent limestone caves nestled in a hidden valley.

Why you’ll love it

At the top of the list is the fun-filled 200th birthday celebration.

There will be a street parade, a Saturday night country dance and a country fair with novelty races such as egg and spoon and tug o war. A craft beer and bands festival will ensure that everyone is catered for. Specialty food will be available as well as a lamb spit, camp ovens and barbecue. (A Taste of Taralga Festival).

Aside from the festivities, Taralga is full of beautiful stone buildings that you can discover on a self-guided Taralga Heritage Walking Tour. Pick up a guide from the Visitor Information Centre or just take a leisurely wander around and explore.

For more history, drop in to the Taralga Historical Society Museum. The museum grounds include a diverse range of relocated and restored buildings including a settler’s cottage, dairy, schoolhouse and Nissen hut.

Several of the buildings in the town date back to the period between the 1860s and the 1890s and there are some historically significant buildings to be seen. The Argyle Inn has been beautifully restored and has an award-winning restaurant where you can feast on fresh produce form the local region.

Be sure to stop in and check out Eclectopia Gifts & Specialty Homewares, located opposite The Argyle Inn.

If you’re looking for a hearty meal and the classic country pub experience, give The Taralga Hotel a go. The Ploughman Café and the Tangled Vine Café come highly recommended.

The area’s fertile pastures mean there are plenty of gourmet treats to be had.

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Getting there

Follow the Federal Highway out of Canberra towards Goulburn. Take the first exit into Goulburn and continue until you see signs for Taralga Road, which will get you to Taralga in around half an hour.

When to go

Taralga’s 200th birthday celebrations will take place on Saturday 5 October and Sunday 6 October when A Taste of Taralga will showcase the town at its best.

The Art Show has been going strong for many years, and happens each June long weekend.

Taralga Rodeo draws crowds each January, and the Vintage Farm Field Days are on every November.

Check out the calendar of events in the region and time your visit to coincide with whatever you’re interested in.

Key details

  • Duration: Taralga is 90 minutes from Canberra via the Federal Highway, Hume Highway and Taralga Road.
  • Distance from Canberra: 135km each way.

Have you experienced a taste of Taralga? What are your favourite things to do or see in the region?

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