Wombat, New South Wales

Wombat is a town in New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Olympic Highway, 15 km south-west of the regional centre of Young. It is in the local government area of Harden Shire. Wombat has a population of approx 180 people.

History
The area was occupied by the indigenous Wiradjuri people for thousand of years.
 * 1860 - Gold discovered at nearby Young. 20,000 miners converge on surrounding areas. Wombat Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.
 * 1865 - The village of Wombat was established. Many Chinese miners moved to the area taking plots of land.
 * 1867 - Wombat Public School was founded in a bark hut
 * 1873 - foundation stone of St Matthews Church of England laid
 * 1875 - Roman Catholic Church built
 * 1877 - Wombat Hotel began trading
 * 1880 - Carlo Lazzarini, (1880-1952), NSW politician and trade unionist was born in Wombat.
 * 1895 - Mechanics Institute opened
 * 1903 - Wombat Hotel's current building constructed
 * 1909 - Roman Catholic convent opened
 * 1923 - Wombat Soldiers' Memorial hall officially opened
 * 1924 - the old hall was destroyed by fire
 * 1950s & 1960s - The Olympic Way highway was built through

Attractions

 * "The Wombat Hotel", which has had a continuous liquor license since 1877, making it the longest in New South Wales.
 * "Allambie Orchard", A cherry orchard that allows people to pick their own fruit in season
 * "Wombat Heights", a farm on a hill which produces jam, fruit wine and liqueurs from traditional recipes. Visitors are invited to do-it-themselves.
 * "Wilkies Cottage Restaurant/Café".
 * "The Old Convent Geranium Nursery", Hope St, offers many colours & varieties of miniatures of variegated, climbing and scented Pelargonium geraniums.

The highway into Wombat is graced with a statue of a wombat, made of local material, which was unveiled in 2002.