Fast facts
- Historic country town, home of explorer Hamilton Hume and superfine merino wool
- Nestled in the picturesque Yass Valley, on the banks of the Yass River
- 280 km south-west of Sydney, population 6,000
Why go there
Yass offers a wonderful range of dining and accommodation options complemented by an eclectic mix of shops, antique stores, galleries and museums. Yass is also the perfect base from which to explore the many natural attractions in the Yass Valley region.
History
The area around modern-day Yass was first settled in 1824, after being discovered by the explorer Hamilton Hume. A local wool industry soon sprang up and by 1830 a small village had begun to develop on the south bank of the Yass River. Hamilton Hume retired to Yass and purchased Cooma Cottage, where he lived with his wife until his death in 1873.
During the early 1800s, Yass had established itself as a rest stop for travellers en route from Sydney to Melbourne. Yass was once considered an alternative to Canberra as the capital of Australia.
Things to do
- Discover the secrets and treasures of the town’s Historic Walk and Drive.
- Follow in the footsteps of explorers on the Hume and Hovell Walking Track, which starts in Yass.
- Explore Yass Valley’s charming villages and many art galleries. On the way, stop by a few cellar doors and taste award-winning cool climate wines.
- Hunt out adventure activities such as mountain trail horse-riding, bushwalking and caving.
- Camp at a nature reserve and go fishing, sailing, canoeing or take a ride on a riverboat.
Events
- The Yass Valley Festival, held in November, celebrates the Yass Valley’s rural and cultural heritage with dance, drama, circus acts, film, music, craft and local food.
- Yass Show and Rodeo in April showcases country life in the Yass Valley with displays, sideshows, markets and competitions.
- Picnic Races in March.
Don’t miss
- Cooma Cottage – the home of Hamilton Hume, now a National Trust museum.
- A walk down memory lane at the Yass and District Museum.
- Hamilton Hume’s grave in the Anglican section of Yass Cemetery.
- A tour through Carey’s Caves in the picturesque Wee Jasper Valley.
- The scenic drive to Burrinjuck Dam.
