Yass

Main Street of Yass - Credit : Yass Valley Tourism

History & heritage

Explore the town’s history and heritage on the Yass Town Walk and see grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings, such as Yass Courthouse, built in the boom of the late 19th century. Pick up brochures for the self-guided tour from the Yass Valley Information Centre in Coronation Park, a great spot for a picnic.

The Yass Courthouse, Yass

Visit the historic home of colonial explorer Hamilton Hume at Cooma Cottage, now a National Trust museum, as well as his grave. Learn more about Hume and fellow explorer William Hovell at the Yass and District Museum. You can follow in their footsteps on the Hume and Hovell Track, which starts at Cooma Cottage and covers 440kms to Albury.

Cooma Cottage, Yass

Food & wine

Taste your way around the excellent cafes, cosy wine bars and fine restaurants of Yass. The acclaimed Smokehouse restaurant at Poachers Pantry specialises in house smoked and cured meats paired with wines from their own vineyard. Visit the award-winning Grazing at Gundaroo in the heritage 1865 Royal Hotel.

Poachers Pantry Smokehouse Restaurant and Vineyard, Yass

Other food and wine experiences include wine tasting at Canberra District cellar doors such as Dog Trap Vineyard and sampling local produce at the Yass Community Markets. Join a wine tour with Canberra Winery Tours, and visit some of the many vineyards or relax over a classic pub meal at the historic Australian Hotel.

Local attractions

Yass is known for its leafy riverside parks and gardens, such as the Riverbank Park, as well as Banjo Paterson Park, named after the famous Australian bush poet who lived in the Yass district as a boy. The Yass Show in March is another rural treat, with a rodeo, vintage cars, show jumping and family fun.

Burrinjuck Dam, Yass  - Credit: Yass Valley Tourism

Enjoy camping and water sports at picturesque Burrinjuck Dam or head to Wee Jasper Reserves for tranquil fishing and bushwalking. Explore the ancient seabed of Wee Jasper Valley with Cooradigbee Fossil Tours and discover fossils from the Devonian period 400 million years ago.

Getting there

Yass is a three-hour drive from Sydney and less than one hour from Canberra. You can take a scenic train trip from Sydney to Yass Junction, which takes around 3 hours 40 mins, and rent a car to explore the region. Places to stay include holiday parks and campgrounds, pubs, motels and farmstays.