Fast facts
- Bungendore is a friendly, historic village 30 minutes from Canberra
- A Southern Tablelands town set in a pretty green valley
- 265 km south-west of Sydney with a population of 2,000
Why go there
Boasting local attractions such as vineyards and Lake George, Bungendore is a traditional Australian country town with a relaxed bush village atmosphere.
Bungendore offers numerous specialty shops and old stone, brick and timber heritage buildings, providing an evocative glimpse of 19th century life in rural Australia.
History
Proclaimed in 1837, the township of Bungendore quickly became an important crossroad linking Goulburn, Braidwood, Queanbeyan, Canberra and Cooma.
Many of the most important buildings – including the post office, an Anglican Church and the Bungendore Inn – were constructed in the 1840s.
Things to do
- Discover art, craft and antique shops in the Bungendore Village Square.
- Try a range of wines at the cellar doors of surrounding wineries.
Events
- The Bungendore Show in January displays animals and produce, and includes horse events, dog shows and a donkey gymkhana.
- Bungendore Country Muster in February features some of Australia’s best country music.
- Bungendore Rodeo in October attracts both Australian and international competitors.
Don’t miss
- Exploring Bywong Gold Mining Town, a recreation of an authentic gold-mining village, 12 km north-west of town.
- Discovering works by Norman Lindsay at the Bloomfield Galleries and Odana Editions.
- Wine-tasting at Lark Hill Winery, one of Australia’s highest vineyards.
- Browsing in the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery for sculpture, craft and furniture.
- Stocking up on leather goods at the Bungendore Leather Works.
