Things to do in Yass, New South Wales: What are the best attractions?

The best things to do in Yass, New South Wales, include Cooma Cottage, the Mundoonen Nature Reserve and visiting Canberra wineries such as Dog Track Vineyard.

Yass, New South Wales, is effectively a satellite town of Canberra. It’s on the Hume Highway, and if you’re driving from Melbourne to Canberra, or Adelaide to Canberra, you’ll turn off at Yass. The Yass to Canberra drive takes less than an hour.

Like many Australian regional centres, Yass acts as a hub for local agriculture. Unlike other regional centres, however, Yass manages to elevate itself above thoroughly humdrum functionality.

Things to do in Yass, NSW: Canberra wineries

This is partly because Yass has plenty of wineries nearby. It is bundled into the Canberra wine region. Canberra Winery Tours runs wine-tasting tours with pick-ups in Yass for those who want a day out sampling. Self-drivers might be interested in stopping by at the Dog Trap Vineyard, Mallaluka Wines and Jirra Wines.

Mallaluka Wines in Yass, NSW. Photo by Nic Gossage.

Grapes also grow at Poachers Pantry, but this Yass vineyard is much better known for its restaurant. And, in particular, its smoked meats.

Things to do in Yass, NSW: Heritage buildings and parks

Yass itself is a pretty town with plenty of riverside parks and heritage buildings. The Yass Valley Information Centre has leaflets with self-guided walking trails on. Pick one up to work out a route through the most handsome and historic parts of town.

The top Yass attraction, however, is Cooma Cottage. This was the home of explorer Hamilton Hume, who the Hume Highway is named after. Inside Cooma Cottage you get an insight into early colonial pastoral life, and the surprisingly lavish home the successful pastoralists could build for themselves.

The Yass and District Museum offers more local history.

What to do in Yass, NSW: Mundoonen Nature Reserve

If you’d prefer to spend your time outdoors, the Mundoonen Nature Reserve is just east of Yass along the Hume Highway. The 2.8km walk to the summit of Mount Mundoonen should give you a decent workout.

Yass accommodation options include the helpfully located Yass Central Bed and Breakfast and the well-regarded Colonial Lodge Motor Inn.

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