Griffith

Thanks to large-scale irrigation, the land around Griffith is far more intensively farmed than most of New South Wales, with many small farms close to the town. Italian immigrants shaped much of the city's character after WWII, and their legacy lives on in its food, wine and culture; more recent arrivals have built sizeable Indian and Pacific Islander communities, giving the city a notably multicultural feel for inland NSW.

Griffith is also distinctive for its design: it was laid out by Walter Burley Griffin, the architect and urban planner behind Canberra, who also designed nearby Leeton. His radial street plan and garden-city layout still shape the town today. Surrounded by vineyards, citrus orchards and rice fields, Griffith is one of Australia's great wine and produce districts.

The climate is hot and dry in summer and cool in winter, typical of the inland Riverina; spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit, and harvest seasons bring the surrounding farmland to life.

By Plane

Griffith Airport (GFF IATA) is about 5 km from the city centre, a small but renovated airport with daily flights from Sydney, operated by Regional Express (Rex) several times a day. Hertz, Avis and Thrifty have car-hire desks at the terminal — book and confirm in advance, and it can pay to phone the local depot directly rather than relying on a website booking. Taxis are also available into town (call the 131 008 national number).

By Car / Road

Griffith sits in the western Riverina, reached via the Kidman Way and connecting highways. It is a long inland drive from the coast — roughly 570 km (about 6.5 hours) from Sydney — and is well connected by road to other Riverina centres such as Leeton, Narrandera and Hay. Coach services link Griffith with regional towns and onward connections.

Griffith's Burley Griffin–designed centre is fairly compact and walkable around the main shopping and dining streets, but a car is the best way to reach the wineries, orchards and lookouts spread through the surrounding irrigation area. Local public transport is limited.

• Pioneer Park Museum — An open-air heritage village on a hill above the city, telling the story of the area's pioneers and migrants, with panoramic views over the irrigation district.

• Sir Dudley de Chair's Lookout (Scenic Hill) — A hilltop vantage point over the city and surrounding farmland, near the "Hermits Cave" once home to a local recluse.

• Catania Fruit Salad Farm — A working farm showcasing the diversity of crops grown in the district.

• Wineries of the district — Griffith anchors one of Australia's largest wine regions, with numerous cellar doors among the surrounding vines.

• Wine tasting — Tour the many cellar doors of the Riverina wine region, known for both bulk production and quality boutique wines.

• Italian food and culture — Sample the city's strong Italian heritage in its bakeries, delis and restaurants.

• Scenic drives — Explore the orchards, rice fields and vineyards of the irrigation area.

• Nearby nature — Day trips to the wetlands and reserves of the Murrumbidgee, and further afield to Cocoparra National Park.

Griffith eats very well for an inland city, thanks to its Italian heritage and abundant local produce: expect excellent Italian restaurants, bakeries and delis alongside the growing influence of its Indian and Pacific Islander communities. Local wine, citrus and fresh produce feature throughout.

Wine is central — the Riverina is one of Australia's biggest wine regions, and the city's cellar doors and Italian heritage make for a strong drinking culture. There are also good cafés and historic pubs in town. Tap water is safe to drink.

• Budget — Motels and caravan parks on the town approaches.
• Mid-range — Motor inns and modern hotels near the centre.
• Upscale — A handful of higher-end and boutique stays serve the wine-tourism trade.

The district's produce — citrus, stone fruit, wine, rice and Italian smallgoods — is the standout. The city centre holds the main shopping, and farm gates, providores and cellar doors across the irrigation area sell local produce direct.

• Leeton (around 55 km / 45 min) — Sister Burley Griffin–designed town and rice-growing centre.
• Narrandera (around 95 km / 1 hr) — Riverside town on the Murrumbidgee with a koala reserve.
• Hay (around 130 km / 1 hr 30 min) — Historic plains town to the west.
• Wagga Wagga (around 200 km / 2 hr 15 min) — The Riverina's largest city.
• Cocoparra National Park (around 25 km / 30 min) — Rugged range with bushwalks and wildflowers.