Young

Surrounded by orchards, vineyards, olive groves and golden wheat fields, Young is a pretty and delicious escape in the Hilltops wine region in southwest NSW. Explore gold rush history, enjoy fun festivals, and taste elegant wines and delicious produce in the cherry capital of Australia.

Stop by the Young Visitor Information Centre, located in the former 1880-built Young Railway Station, and pick up brochures and advice on the things to do in Young and the surrounding region. You can also taste a selection of local wines at the Hilltops Region Wine Cellar.

Take a self-guided heritage walking tour of Young, and browse gift, antique and gourmet food stores. You can visit wineries directly or join a wine tour for an organised tasting at cellar doors, as well as a journey through nearby towns and villages, such as Boorowa and Harden.

The main cherry-picking season is from late October to late January. A fun way to celebrate the stone fruit is the National Cherry Festival, a three-day event in December that includes a street parade and pie-eating contest. Check out the events calendar for more festivals and markets.

Gold fever struck the Young area, then known as Lambing Flat, in 1860. About 20,000 miners flocked to the goldfields within a year and European miners rioted against Chinese miners, with the worst riots in June 1861. Learn about this volatile history at the Lambing Flat Folk Museum.

The Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Gardens recognise the contribution of the Chinese community to Young, which is two hours’ drive from Canberra and four hours from Sydney. The gardens are a lovely picnic spot with BBQ facilities. Places to stay in Young include tourist parks, motels and farm stays.