Fast facts
- A picturesque historic country town
- Situated among farmland on the Southern Tablelands
- 240 km south-west of Sydney, population 2,100
Why go there
Crookwell has a peaceful country town charm, plenty of historic buildings and four distinct seasons.
History
Attracted by the Crookwell River, European settlers began arriving in the region in the 1820s. The river’s name is thought to be a variation on ‘Crookhall’, the English home of one of the settlers.
Oats and wheat crops were followed by sheep and cattle production, and later by potatoes. The first branch of the Country Women’s Association was formed here in 1922.
Things to do
- Visit the first fully grid-connected wind farm in Australia. The 45-m towers were built in 1988.
- Explore the area’s open gardens, created by some of Australia’s best designers.
- Go fishing for trout in sparkling streams, or drop a fly into Wyangala Dam.
- Crookwell Country Festival in March.
- Taralga Australia Day Rodeo in January.
Don’t miss
- The 1870s streetscape of central Crookwell.
- Shimmering trees, carols and all that is Christmas – at Santa’s Hideaway.
- Buying discount socks at Lindner Socks, the last sock factory in Australia.
- A picnic beside the water at the beautiful Grabine Lakeside State Park.
