Good times in Tumut

28 Jun 2023

The Probus Club of Tuggeranong hosted a Trade Travel four-day trip to Tumut, home of the Falling Leaf Festival in late April.

Many ACT Probus Clubs joined in this adventure to have fun, and to see the wonders and the interesting sights in and around the area of Tumut and Tumbarumba.

Members strolled among our legendary Australian Test Cricket Captains situated in the parkland of Cootamundra, birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman.

They travelled across to Tumbarumba via Batlow, appreciating the hardships of early pioneers and the drive of visionary Herbert Velvin Smith (OBE) who made Batlow Famous for apples!

Next, they drove along the scenic Snowy Mountains Highway to the Kosciuszko National Park, home to the Yarrangobilly Caves Reserve, and enjoyed a fascinating tour of Jillabenan Cave, packed with incredibly delicate and striking formations.

They visited Talbingo to view the Tumut 3 Power Station, Talbingo Dam and the T3 pipeline inlet structure.

At the Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins, site of the reefer battery 1868-82 which was needed in the gold rush period from 1852, members were assured there was still gold to be found. They didn’t have time to go gold panning!

The Blowering Dam Reservoir was an impressive sight, though what all enjoyed was the visit to the Broom Factory in Tumut, the last original Millet Broom Factory in Australia. Members saw how straw brooms were made and many of the group purchased brooms of one type or another.

Before leaving Tumut, the group toured the Tumut River Brewery and sampled a few brews and enjoyed a hearty lunch.

What a memorable, fun and informative Tour. Good times with friends, meeting people of the high country, enjoying the autumnal scenery and relishing the wonderful local food and cuisine of the area.