Yass is small town, country New South Wales. With its proximity to Canberra and Sydney it is the perfect weekend getaway destination. Discover the history of the area, appreciate the unique landscape and birdlife and enjoy the local food and wine offerings.
Without Google Maps to pinpoint me, we could be in any one of a number of NSW townships. The Soldiers Club, the Courthouse and a handful of other historic buildings map its story through the years. But dig a little deeper and discover how much Yass still has to offer.
Yass was discovered by Hamilton Hume and settled in the 1830’s by Europeans. However, its Aboriginal heritage extends back around 6,000 years. At one stage it could have ended up as the site of the National Capital. Thankfully that didn’t happen and today it remains a quintessential Australian town. One that is surrounded by sheep and vines at the centre of the good life in the country.
Church Street
The main reason we have ventured here today is so that Jason can take a trip down memory lane. He lived here for a few years when he was in primary school during the 1980’s, when the only available coffee on Comur Street was the 43 beans variety and only the Spanish knew what tapas was.
We find the house he used to live in. He recounts stories of being chased around for being naughty, cricket in the driveway and bike rides to the river. I can almost see the movie reel of memories running through his mind.
While we are here I can’t resist the opportunity to pop into the church for which the street was named. St Clements is a magestic building dating to 1850. I admire the stained glass windows donated by devout partitioners and pause to listen to choral rehearsals for Christmas Mass.
The trip down memory lane continues past the Transborder bus depot which still operates and into the town’s main street.
Historic Buildings
There are a spattering of interesting buildings along the main street, Comur Street, with historical significance. Primarily settled by free settlers, the country’s convict past was never far away in the days of early settlement. Likewise, in later years, the township was heavily influenced by the impact of the world wars. The cycles of drought and flooding rains that dictate life on the land still hold true today.
Built by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited (now NAB) in 1872, this grand Victorian design replaced the existing premises. At the time it reflected the town’s commercial prosperity. The success of the region was built primarily on sheep grazing and the wool trade. Large sheep stations dominated the area and still contribute to Australia’s reputation for fine merino fleece. There were also many flour mills in the area despite the lack of grain production. The mills were thought to be built primarily for personal convenience. These were used to serve the local district, rather than for commercial purposes.
It wasn’t until the 1970’s and 1980’s that the area’s potential for wine crops was realized. The birth of this fledgling industry coincided with the very beginnings of the ‘sea change’ movement. Hobby farms cropped up as it became feasible to commute to Canberra for work. Yass remains a popular location for the opportunity to live the country life not too far from the Bush Capital.
On Comur Street, a bit closer to the river, the current Yass Court House (1880) replaced an earlier building (1837). In order to allow for the footprint of the new building the “flogging tree”, the town’s last link to its convict past was removed.
The Rose Inn was licensed in 1837 as The Rose and is now the oldest surviving building in Yass town. The name changed to the Golden Fleece and Rock of Cashel during its lifetime. It was used throughout the years for medical practices up until 1998.
Recreation and Conservation
Riverbank Park is a beautiful, sprawling park along the Yass River with walking and cycling tracks along the Yass Gorge.
The park has barbecue and toilet facilities, a playground, plenty of parking, plus breathtaking views of the river.
The area before European settlement was predominantly treeless with the local vegetation of the Yass Gorge being Natural Temperate Grassland (NTG) determined by grassland interspersed with small shrubs and wildflowers. This type of NTG can still be seen in the Gorge with the best viewing in springtime when the plants are flowering. NTG is listed as an endangered natural community with only fragments still existing in the area of the Australian Southern Tablelands.
Before European settlement the Yass Valley was inhabited by the Aboriginal Ngunnawal people. It was named after Yarrh or Yharr which means running water. Rivers are the lifeblood of any community and the river produced food in the form of Cod, Yellow Belly and Yabbies. The Gorge is also the home of many bird species including the Superb Fairy wren, the Rufous Whistler and the Red browed Finch. Waterbirds such as duck varieties, swamphens and herons live along the river. Keep your eye out for the impressive Wedge-tailed Eagles with wing spans of up to 2.5m they are the largest birds of prey in Australia.
On the way out of town we pass by the Yass Golf Club where Jason honed his love of golf from a very early age.
Good To Know
Yass is an easy weekend getaway from Canberra or Sydney. The township is small enough to be explored on foot. Get in early for breakfast at the popular Clementine Bakery before all the goodies sell out. Explore some of the local vineyards during the day and then return for tapas and live music at the town’s Yazzbar.
Information on the historic buildings, NTG conservation and birdlife in this post has been collated from the Heritage Walk information plaques outside buildings and from other information boards located around town.
Would I Return?
Yes. Who doesn’t love a weekend getaway?
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