This morning after a hearty breakfast next door at the Club and checking out, we’ll make the short transfer to the historic Cowra Railway Station, located on the former Blayney to Demondrille Line and the home base of the Lachlan Valley Railway heritage organisation. While most of the line has been abandoned, this incredible volunteer-run organisation has kept a short section of the line operational. After enjoying morning tea in the beautifully restored MBV Lounge Car at the station, we’ll have the privilege of stepping back in time and taking a short ride aboard one of the now century old CPH Railmotors, originally constructed to service these country lines.
Back on our coach, our next stop is the cherry capital of NSW – the charming town of Young. After a light lunch at Wilders Bakery, a well known and much loved local institution.
From here, we’ll head to the charming country town of Boorowa. While the area was first settled by two prominent Irish families in the 1820s, ‘Burrowa’ wasn’t formally recognised as a town until 1843. With the arrival of the railway in 1914 the town’s name was officially changed to ‘Boorowa’ and the post office was ordered to discontinue use of the name ‘Burrowa’. The two spellings were used interchangeably until January 1951.
We’ll stop to visit the historical 1886 Boorowa Court House building, which also houses the Boorowa Court House Arts & Crafts Co-operative, and enjoy a tour of the beautifully preserved courtroom to learn about the building’s former life, local history and engaging stories of Boorowa’s rich Irish roots and notable buildings. You’ll then have some free time to explore the main street of the town, including the Historical Museum, a lovingly restored 1882 rammed-earth building on the main street filled with displays dedicated to the region’s Irish history and the wool industry.
Our next stop later this afternoon will be at the spectacular Sir George Hotel in Jugiong for a couple of drinks and some dinner. The Sir George was first built in 1845 by Irish settler John Philip Sheahan at a time when Jugiong was a bustling stop for drovers, coaches, and travellers making their way between Sydney and Melbourne where weary travellers could rest, exchange stories and enjoy a drink.
The 19th century was also a time of bushrangers. One of the most notorious incidents tied to Jugiong was the attack by the infamous Hall Gang in 1864. The gang, led by Ben Hall, ambushed the Gundagai mail coach near Jugiong. In the shootout that followed, the town’s police sergeant, Edmund Parry, was killed, marking a violent chapter in the area’s history.
By the late 20th century, as traffic along the Hume Highway was diverted away from Jugiong, The Sir George, like much of the town, fell into decline. The once-vibrant pub became a shadow of its former self, eventually falling into disrepair. The historic stone walls and timber beams remained standing, but the spirit of the place had been lost.
That changed in the early 2010s when new owners saw the potential for revival and embarked on an ambitious project to restore The Sir George to its former glory. The restoration was completed in 2016 with great care taken to preserve the original stone walls and timber floors with each carefully restored rather than replaced. During the restoration, the team uncovered many artefacts from the past, including old coins, bottles, and even remnants of past structures hidden within the walls.
Since its reopening, The Sir George has once again become the beating heart of Jugiong. It is a place where locals gather, travellers pause for a meal, and history enthusiasts marvel at its careful restoration. The menu showcases fresh, seasonal produce, often sourced from the surrounding region.
After dinner we’ll transfer to our hotel at Murrumbateman for a good nights rest.
Overnight: Abode, Murrumbateman
(B, L, D)
