Wagga Wagga in the running for Top Tourism Town 2025 – cast your vote now!
Wagga Wagga has been named as a finalist in the 2025 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards, proudly standing as the only inland city in the running alongside a line-up of coastal competitors.
This nomination represents Wagga Wagga’s growing reputation as a leading regional destination, celebrated for its vibrant and modern Australian character.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Visitor Economy Development Officer Cassandra Farquharson said the recognition was a testament to the city’s passionate visitor economy operators.
“We’re the only inland city in the running and this recognition is a celebration of what makes Wagga Wagga unique – from our riverside adventures and nature-based experiences, to our agritourism and culinary scene, thriving events and welcoming community,” Ms Farquharson said.
“A win would shine a light on the incredible work of our local businesses and attract more visitors to experience
everything Wagga Wagga has to offer.”
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout is encouraging locals and visitors to get involved.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase our city on the state stage,” Cr Tout said.
“We know how special Wagga Wagga is, but now it’s time to let the rest of NSW know it too. Every vote counts and I encourage everyone to get behind this and show their support.”
The NSW Top Tourism Town Awards, managed annually by Business NSW, celebrate outstanding visitor experiences across the state.
The program highlights the excellence of regional towns that deliver exceptional attractions, accommodation and hospitality.
Each town submits a detailed application including a video, suggested itinerary and editorial, which are assessed by a panel of industry experts. Public voting also plays a crucial role in determining the winners.
Wagga Wagga’s video submission, Magic Moments, follows a 24-hour
itinerary in Wagga Wagga, from sunrise to sunset – showcasing the breadth of experiences in our city. Watch the video on Visit Wagga Wagga’s YouTube channel and social media pages. Winners will be announced at the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in May, with gold winners progressing to represent NSW at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards.
Public voting is now open and runs until 11.59pm on Sunday 4 May, coinciding with the school holidays, Easter and Anzac Day – a key travel period across the region.
You can vote by tapping on the link on the visitwagga.com page.
PAST RECIPIENTS: 18 local community groups and charities shared in the 2024 round of ClubGRANTS Category One Funding.
Apply now for a slice of the 2025 ClubGRANTS funding pie
If you have a community initiative, program or service that could benefit from a funding boost, there is still time to apply for the 2025 round of ClubGRANTS Category One Funding.
The ClubGRANTS scheme is a statewide initiative that provides the framework for registered clubs with annual gaming machine revenue exceeding one-million dollars to directly fund local priority projects and services.
Applications opened in February and close at the end of May for the 2025 scheme, which is administered locally by Wagga Wagga City Council.
The participating clubs for the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA) are the Wagga RSL Club and Rules Club Wagga Wagga.
Priority funding categories for 2025 are mental health, domestic and family violence, prevention and support of homelessness, and First Nations programs.
Secondary funding categories include women and family health, childcare services, aged and veteran support services, all abilities programs, disadvantaged young people, transport services for identified social needs, sustainable living, and housing.
Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes is encouraging not-forprofit groups in the LGA to put in an application to share in a slice of the ClubGRANTS funding pie.
“This scheme is designed to assist those groups that may not have otherwise been able to secure financial assistance,” Ms Summerhayes said.
“By allocating these funds towards supporting local needs, it helps to ensure valued services and projects continue to be delivered in our community.”
Applications for the 2025 scheme close at 5pm on Saturday 31 May 2025 and can be made online at wagga.nsw.gov. au/clubgrants
For enquiries, please contact Michelle Castle in Council’s Community Directorate on 1300 292 442 during business hours.
SEE + DO: This Easter School holidays are packed with activities across our Council facilities.
Hop onto these Easter activities!
School holidays are underway, with a variety of exciting activities still available over the Easter and Anzac Day weekends.
Council facilities like the Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary, the Museum of the Riverina, and the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery will operate on holiday opening hours over this period.
There are loads of free activities at the Museum of the Riverina including Pathway Chalk Art, the LEGO® Minifigure Hunt, Retro Games, Animal Origami, Wii Sports, and boardgames.
See more: museumriverina.com.au/ whatson
There are also several fantastic exhibitions to explore at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and some fun, family friendly activities coming up at the Wagga Wagga City Library, including
SAFER CROSSING: A pedestrian bridge will be constructed over Marshalls Creek as part of the new Kooringal Road Active Travel link.
Construction tender awarded for Active Travel works on Kooringal Road Link
Wagga Wagga City Council is set to deliver a new Active Travel link between the Exhibition Centre and Hammond Avenue to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along Kooringal Road.
The Kooringal Road Link will comprise a 728-metre concrete shared path that includes a pedestrian bridge over
St. Fabulous Fakes Exhibition
19 AND SUN 20, 10AM – 3PM Wagga Wagga Art Society, 11 Small St. Animal Meet and Greet Encounters
Egg Carton Book Characters in Collingullie, Family Movie sessions, and the Wagga Youth Circular Lids Initiative.
See more: waggaartgallery.com.au/ whats-on and waggalibrary.com.au/ whats-on
The Zoo will be open Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and closed on Good Friday. Normal hours will continue for Anzac Day.
The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery will be open Easter Saturday and Sunday only, while the National Art Glass Gallery will be open on the Easter weekend, including Easter Monday.
Both sites of the Museum of the Riverina - Historic Council Chambers and Botanic Gardens - will be open on Easter Saturday and Sunday, closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and operate during reduced hours on Anzac Day.
The Oasis Aquatic Centre will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Anzac Day, but open from 10am to 2pm on all other days.
All facilities will be back to business as usual between Easter Monday and Anzac Day on Friday 25 April.
During the holiday period, Youth Week will continue with its program of events organised for, and by, young people aged 12-26, including Bush Dyeing workshops, Barista Basics and Responsible Service of Alcohol sessions.
See more: wagga.nsw.gov.au/youthweek
For more details on special trading hours for Council facilities, please visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/trading/hours
Marshalls Creek adjacent to Kooringal Road.
These works have been planned for some time and are a direct response to safety concerns around pedestrians currently using vehicle lanes to cross Marshalls Creek Bridge.
This project is funded by the NSW Government in partnership with Wagga Wagga City Council. NSW Government funding is courtesy of the Get NSW Active Program and will see $1,354,890 provided to bring this much needed project to life.
Director Economy, Business & Workforce Fiona Piltz confirmed that the grant – which was accepted by Wagga Wagga City Councillors at their Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 22 July 2024 – will cover the entire estimated construction cost, including project management, escalation and contingencies.
“Council has now awarded the construction tender for this project, with works set to begin in the coming months as the weather permits,” Ms Piltz said.
“Once complete, the Kooringal Road Link will form the first section of Stage 3 of the city’s Active Travel Plan.
“It will play a vital role in both expanding Wagga Wagga’s growing network of shared paths and providing safer, alternative transport options between suburbs.”
Council can offer support by subsidising waste disposal fees for your annual or project-specific use.
292 442
Email: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Closes: 16 May 2025
Road closures
ANZAC DAY CEREMONIES
Road: Baylis Street from Morrow Street to Wollundry Lagoon Bridge and Morrow Street from Peter Street to Baylis Street
Duration: 6pm Thursday 24 April to 5am
Friday 25 April 2025
Reason: Preparations for Anzac Day
Commemorative services
Road: Baylis Street from near Tompson Street to Wollundry Lagoon Bridge. Morrow Street from the eastern side of Baylis Street to the eastern side of Peter Street
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 5am to 7am
Reason: Anzac Day Dawn service
Road: Baylis Street from south side of Morrow Street to the north side of Morgan Street (not including cross streets).
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 6:45am to 9:30am
Reason: Anzac Day - pre-parade organization
Road: Baylis Street from south side of Morgan Street to the north side of the Lagoon Bridge
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 9:30am to approximately 12pm
Reason: Anzac Day Parade (March) and Commemorative Service
Road: Morgan Street from the western side of Berry Street lo the western side of Baylis Street
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 9:30am to 10:30am
Reason: Anzac Day Parade (March)
Road: Peter Street - southbound lane - from the southern side of Morrow Street to the northern side of Tompson Street
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 7am to 10:30am
Reason: Anzac Day Parade (March)
Detours: Detours around each road closure will be indicated by signs SLOCUM STREET
Roads: Slocum street
Date: Friday 2 May 2025
Duration: Approx 3pm to 7pm
Reason: Wagga Gold Cup
Detour: As per sign posted
Thunder Bolts is an 8-month-old, female cat. She is a sweet girl that can be shy but would love somewhere cosy to soak up the morning sun. The adoption cost (ImpC25/0053) is $301 and includes microchip, lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, FIV/FeLV test, flea and worming treatment and ID tag.
Airport Reporting Officer
Remuneration:
19 – FRI 25 APR, 10.30AM – 12.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, MacLeay St. Trots & Dachshund Dash SAT 19 APRIL, 4:30PM – 10:30PM Riverina Paceway, Cartwrights Hill. Easter Sunday Train Ride & Princess & Superhero Hunt SMRF Fundraiser SUN 20 APRIL, 10AM – 2:30PM Willans Hill Miniature Railway.
Pride Australia –Riverside Markets SUN 20 APRIL, 10AM – 2PM Cross Street Carpark. Egg Carton Book Characters TUES 22 APRIL, 2:30PM Collingullie Soldiers Memorial Hall.
Joel Markham Exhibition – The Carnival of Souls TUES 22ND – WED 30 APRIL
The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. PCYC Wagga Wagga School Holiday Program TUE 22 – THU 24 APRIL
PCYC, 11 Fitzhardinge St.
Kids Art Explorers –Animal Wall Hanging WED 23 APR, 2PM – 4PM 7-13 YEARS North Shore Studios, 57 William St. Riverina Producers Market
THU 24 APR, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Family Movie Thursday THURS 24 APRIL, 10AM – 12PM Wagga Wagga City Library.
BARKAA THURS 24 APRIL, 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Anzac Day Services FRI 25 APRIL, 5:30AM – 6AM Victory Memorial Gardens, Morrow St. Gunfire Buffet Breakfast FRI 25 APRIL, FROM 6:30AM Wagga RSL.
Anzac Day Parade March FRI 25 APRIL, 10AM – 10:30AM Baylis St. Wreath Laying & Commemorative Service FRI 25 APRIL, FROM 10:30AM Cenotaph, Victory Memorial Gardens.
Anzac Day Lunch FRI 25 APRIL, FROM 12:00PM Wagga RSL Club. Sunset Service FRI 25 APRIL, 5:30PM Wagga RSL Centenary Memorial.
Live Entertainment with the Unplugged Trio FRI 25 APRIL, 7:00PM Wagga RSL Club.
Scan or head to visitwagga.com for more events in Wagga Wagga + Surrounds.
