If you’re planning a trip to Leeton, you might be wondering what to do when you arrive. The town is located in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and is approximately 550 km west of Sydney and 450 km north of Melbourne. The town is the administrative centre of the Leeton Shire Council local government area. You’ll find an array of things to do in Leeton, including local theatre, visiting historical places, and seeing some of the town’s unique attractions.
There are several things to do in Leeton NSW, such as the Lillypilly Estate. If you’re a nature lover, you should visit the Office of Environment and Heritage. This place has a lot to offer in terms of history and art. If you’re an art lover, you should take the time to visit the Leeton Museum & Art Gallery and the Australian Art Deco Festival. If you’re a fan of Art Deco architecture, you can visit the Roxy Theatre, a beautiful example of the style. The town’s welcoming culture will make you feel welcome in this small town.
Lillypilly Estate
The town is also home to a number of agricultural businesses. It is the home of the Lillypilly Estate Winery and is home to many other agricultural companies, including Southern Cotton and SunRice. Many of these local businesses can be found along the main street of Leeton. If you want to get out and see the town’s agricultural heritage, you can spend time at the local farms and vineyards.
While you’re in the area, you can also visit the Lillypilly Estate Winery. This boutique winery has won over 1,000 awards for its fine wines. Tours are available by appointment, and the winery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The vineyard is known for its botrytis dessert wines, and tours can be arranged to suit your group’s needs.
Leeton Roxy Community Theatre
One of the things to do in the heritage-listed town of the same name is the Roxy Community Theatre. Located at 114-118 Pine Avenue, the Roxy is a meeting, concert and theatre venue in the heart of Leeton. It is a must-visit for any tourist visiting the region. In addition to the theatre, the town also boasts a number of other entertainment options, including an art gallery and a cinema.
The Roxy Theatre has a heritage listing and is one of the oldest cinemas in Australia. It features a two-tiered auditorium with a state-of-the-art sound system. Films are shown on Fridays and Saturday nights, and the theatre also offers midday cinema sessions. The Roxy Theatre also hosts an annual festival of local talent, the Leeton Eisteddfod. Live theatre productions and concerts are also held in the Roxy Theatre throughout the year.
The Roxy Theatre has recently been awarded $4.4 million in grant funding to undergo a refurbishment. This will make it more accessible and versatile while still preserving the history of the town. The refurbishment will start in December, and the theatre will be closed for a period during 2021. For more information, visit leetonroxy.com. (“Leeton Roxy Community Theatre, Things to Do in Leeton NSW
Leeton Museum and Gallery
The new Leeton Museum and Gallery will open on 15 June 2020. Located in a restored Art Deco building, the museum was previously the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission’s headquarters. The permanent exhibition features a history of the town, and the Leeton Water Story explores the engineering feat of building the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. There are also temporary traveling exhibitions and locally curated exhibitions.
The Leeton Museum and Gallery celebrates the town’s history with a comprehensive early days exhibition. There are written narratives and valuable artifacts to learn about Leeton’s history. The gallery also includes a replica of the Leeton Roxy Theatre, complete with neon signage and a comfortable spot to watch a video. The museum staff and volunteers are welcoming and friendly, and entry is free.
Yanco Powerhouse Museum
If you are visiting Leeton, New South Wales, you should definitely visit the Yanco Powerhouse Museum. The museum is situated on Binya Street and is a historical site. It was built in 1913 and served a multitude of functions, from general lightning to supplying power to the Leeton Butter Factory. In the past, people would come to Yanco just to see the power station.
This museum is located at the former Yanco Power Station, which was built in 1913 and supplied power to Leeton and the Murrumbidgee irrigation area. The power station decommissioned in the late 1950s when the Snowy Hydroelectric Scheme was operational. The museum houses various farm machinery, photographs, and a sixty-seat theatre. The museum also houses the historic Hydro Motor Inn, which was constructed from the cinders from the Yanco Power Station.
A flat 5.1 km cycleway links the two towns. It passes through rich farmland and the Leeton Soldiers’ Club. It is worth checking out for its diverse collection of local and international memorabilia. There is a great selection of art works, including paintings and sculptures. If you love history, you should definitely check out the Yanco Powerhouse Museum in Leeton. You will be glad you did!
Fivebough and Turkey Flat Wetlands
The Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands are two sites in the Riverina and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, near Leeton, New South Wales. Both sites are Crown reserves, number 1030008, managed by the NSW Department of Industry for public recreation and ecological conservation. Listed on the National Register of Environmental Landmarks, they are important habitat for numerous species of birds and other wildlife, and provide excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The town’s two bird sanctuaries are located in Turkey Flat and Fivebough Wetlands, which contain a staggering 170 different species of birds. Visitors can also tour the historic facade of the Town Hall. The town also hosts a Sunrice Festival, celebrating the annual rice harvest. A street parade, buskers, and a produce market are held in Mountford Park to mark the occasion. The local wineries include Toorak Winery and Lillypilly Estate Wines.
Visitors can also enjoy a picnic in the scenic Turkey Flat area. The Murrumbidgee River provides a beautiful setting for picnicking, as well as an opportunity to see reptiles and birds. Guests can use a bird identification sign to confirm the species of bird they see. Those who love birds can use their smartphones to record bird calls. Visitors to the wetlands should sign up for the Naturescapes e-newsletter, which is packed with information about the national parks and reserves of NSW.
Best Festivals in Leeton
Leeton Sunrice Festival
Taking place every second Easter, the Leeton SunRice Festival is a celebration of rice and the rice industry in the Riverina region. This diverse festival program comprises 20 events and attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year. From traditional rice harvest activities to street performers, boutique shopping, wine and local produce, the festival is sure to be a highlight of your holiday. There is something for everyone at the Leeton SunRice Festival!
A tethered balloon will visit Leeton this year. There will be tethered balloon rides from St Francis College, and the balloon will also support the SunRice street parade through Leeton’s main street on 31 March. Julie Axtill hopes that this is a turning point for the community and the festival. Regardless of the outcome, she hopes the festival will spread awareness of the need to care for our health and the environment.
Australian Art Deco Festival Leeton
During the Australia Art Deco Festival, you can enjoy the vintage atmosphere of this historic town. Taking place in Leeton Shire, the event celebrates everything from the era of art deco, swing and jazz to the Charleston Dance, fashion and crime stories. The art deco style was so popular during this time, and Leeton is one of the most charming places to visit in Australia. This festival is held every year.
However, after the lockdown, about 40% of patrons and many performers were not able to attend the event. The Council has decided to cancel the festival for 2020. Unfortunately, postponing the event is not an option, as many artists have other commitments in the coming months. Thankfully, Riverina residents can still attend three sold-out events next weekend – the Riverina Art Deco Revelry, which will take place from 2-4 July.
The Art Deco Festival in Leeton is not going to happen in 2021 due to the risk of coronavirus. However, it will be back in 2022! There are many other events taking place in the town and you can contact the organisers to learn more about their plans. Aside from the Australian Art Deco Festival, there are many other events throughout the region. There is also the Main Street Festival, which celebrates the interwar period. This event includes Prohibition parties, speakeasy events, depression dinners, Gatsby galas, family entertainment, art deco era food and vintage cars.