With a population of over 57,000 people, Wagga Wagga is located on the banks of the beautiful Murrumbidgee River. It is home to Kapooka – the Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC), Royal Australian Air Force Base Wagga (RAAF) and Charles Sturt University. A short 1 hour fight will see you touch down in Sydney or Melbourne and a pleasant 2 1/2 hour drive is all it will take you to get to our nations capital city - Canberra. East of Wagga lays the Snowy Mountains and if you take a drive in any direction you are sure to enjoy the scenery including many surrounding wineries and beautiful country towns. If you enjoy museums, art galleries and theatre, you will love all that Wagga has to offer. Satisfy your appetite in one of the cities many restaurants or eateries before watching a play, a film or taking a stroll in one of the relaxing gardens or along the river bank. Shopping : Not only does Wagga have several National chain stores including Myer, Harvey Norman, Big W and Kmart, there are many specialty shops dotted around the city. You will find everything from antique furniture, home decorating and gift shops to novelty, lolly shops and recreational stores. Each week you can visit the Sunday Markets in the Myer carpark. And the Farmers markets are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month overlooking the picturesque Wollundry Lagoon at the Civic Centre. Dining: Whether your appetite is tempting you for fish & chips or maybe some Italian cuisine, Wagga has plenty to offer. Enjoy floating down the Murrumbidgee on a dinner cruise (subject to availability), a family picnic in one of the many parks, or feasting on a “Big Mac”. If you’re feeling like a delicious sit down meal, you will find a huge selection of restaurants to choose from. Alternatively visit one of the many local hotels or clubs for some good, home style cooking. No matter what you enjoy doing, Wagga is sure to have something for everyone. Did you know? Wagga Wagga’s original inhabitants, the Wiradjuri, were the largest Aboriginal tribe in New South Wales. The word Wagga means ‘crow’ in the Aboriginal language and to create a plural, a word is repeated. Therefore, Wagga Wagga translates to ‘A Place of Many Crows’.