Guide to Young New South Wales Australia

Young is a town of about 10,600 people on the Olympic Highway, 71 km south-west of Cowra and 49 km north-east of Cootamundra. It is the main town of the Hilltops region and the centre of the largest cherry-growing district in the country. It began as the Lambing Flat goldfield.

Known For

• Cherries and the National Cherry Festival
• The Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Garden
• Hilltops wine

Things To Do in Young

Cherries

The orchards blossom in late September and early October, and the fruit is picked from November to Christmas. Many orchards open for pick-your-own, and roadside stalls sell cherries, plums and pies. The National Cherry Festival is held on the first weekend of December.

Chinese Tribute Garden

At Chinamans Dam, four kilometres from town, a garden with a lake, pavilions and bridges honours the Chinese miners of the goldfield. Entry is free.

Lambing Flat Folk Museum

The museum holds the Roll Up banner carried by miners in the anti-Chinese riots of 1861, one of the most important relics of the gold era; check opening hours.

Wine

The Hilltops region produces shiraz and cabernet from vineyards around the town, and several have cellar doors.

Where To Stay

Young Tourist Park is on Edwards Street. The showground, two kilometres out, has powered and unpowered sites and a dump point.

The town has plenty of motels. Book well ahead for the cherry festival.

Eat & Drink

The Cranfield, in the old Masonic building, and the Green Ivy Cafe behind the museum are popular, and Wilders Bakery is known for cherry pies.

History

Gold was found at Lambing Flat in 1860. In 1861 European miners attacked the Chinese camps in a series of riots that led to laws restricting Chinese immigration. The town was renamed after the governor, Sir John Young. In 1889 it became the first town in New South Wales to have electric street lighting.

Getting to Young

Young is about 370 km from Sydney and 160 km from Canberra. Murringo is 22 km east and Grenfell 50 km north.