Lockhart, The Rock, Yerong Creek and Surrounds

Sculptures, pastoral pride and views for miles.

Head south of the Murrumbidgee and you’ll find a place where the landscape is marked out by farmers’ fields and dotted with trees. Bushland makes way for crops like canola (a sight to behold when in bloom) and wide-open spaces call you to explore.

Lockhart, The Rock, and their surrounding villages of Yerong Creek, Pleasant Hills and Milbrulong have strong pastoral origins. You’ll find the stories of the land told across local art, museums and festivals – think incredible sculptures crafted from old farm machinery and galleries where art is woven from the very wool farmed in these parts. Pack your hiking boots too because the trails around here are incredible.

Stop in at the Visitor Information Outlet at Greens Gunyah Museum in Lockhart to get advice on must-see spots from friendly volunteers who know the local area like the back of their hand.

See the Visit Lockhart Shire website >

Lockhart

Walk the main street and you’ll find art and history reflecting the region’s pastoral background both in museums and the streets. The wide shady verandahs stretching overhead will certainly give away why Lockhart’s often been called the ‘Verandah Town’.

Explore Through Art

The Lockhart Sculpture and Heritage Trail is a mixture of history and art, one of our favourite combos. It includes more than 20 life-sized sculptures created from recycled farm materials, that have been part of the annual Spirt of the Land Festival over many years. Don’t miss the cheeky Bunyip of Burra Creek, the mighty Rain Dragon and George the Friesian Bull. Nearby, the Pastoral Shadows of Brookong will take you on a pictorial trail of the town’s history.

As you stroll through town, the Lockhart Water Tower mural is hard to miss. The incredible sight was created freehand by artists Scotty Nagy and Krimsone.

Dive Deeper into the Region’s Pastoral History

The award-winning Greens Gunyah Museum is home to collections including artefacts from Brookong Station, the scene of the famous Shearers’ Strike in 1888, memorabilia from internationally renowned freestyle motocross (FMX) rider Jackson Strong, and works by former state and federal parliament member, Tim Fischer AC.

The Doris Golder Wool Art Gallery is where you’ll find familiar faces like Slim Dusty and Bob Hawke among more than 20 portraits and images handcrafted from wool.

Explore Soaring Heights and Bushland Delights

Panoramic views of the region can be had from the tower on the summit of Galore Hill Scenic Reserve, between Lockhart and Narrandera. It’s long been a special place for the Wiradjuri people. Spot grey kangaroos, echidnas and more than 140 bird species, or explore caves that were once a hiding place for notorious bushranger Mad Dog Morgan. Visit in spring and see the bright yellow canola spreading out over farmland below.

Don’t Rush Off

The Lockhart Caravan Park is just metres from the main street, along the banks of Brookong Creek (top tip: grab a water site for the best views!). If you’re in a self-contained vehicle, you can also spend the night at the Lockhart Showground.

The Rock

Let the Rock’s tree-lined Avenue of Honour draw you in to see Federation shopfronts, quaint churches and local shops. The park-like thoroughfare honours the district’s World War I soldiers with a tree planted in memory of each. Look up and you’ll see the town’s namesake rising to the south of town (take it from us, you can’t miss it).

Stroll along The Rock Heritage Trail and uncover more about the town’s Federation buildings, defence history and rail stories. The Rock Museum opens once a month with a variety of items including a millinery collection and pictorial banners of the Avenue of Honour.

Stargazers will love The Rock Regional Observatory. Young and old can learn about and take in the wonders of space here. You’ll have to wait until after dark for this experience, so opening times change with the seasons (check when you plan your visit).

You’ll find a low-cost place for caravans and RVs to park for short periods of time at The Rock Recreational Ground. There are EV chargers and a dump point here too.

Take in the Views from Above

If you like the outdoors, head for The Rock Nature Reserve – Kengal Aboriginal Place; a Dreaming place, lookout and ceremonial site. Kengal means ‘sloping hill’, and the reserve’s dual name acknowledges the Wiradjuri’s people’s long connection with this place.

Rising 364 metres above the surrounding plains, allow three hours return for the walk to the top. Once you reach the summit you’ll be rewarded with views over the surrounding farmland, rolling hills and even as far east as Mt Kosciuszko on a clear day.

Yerong Creek

Go at a slower pace with a leisurely drive to Yerong Creek, 15 minutes south of The Rock. Stroll through the town and stop at Stanley Galvin Park. The kids will love the playground and the shady trees make a great picnic spot.

By now you will have spotted the Yerong Creek Water Tower mural. It dominates the skyline and highlights the story of local life and history through the eyes of children. Designed and painted by world-famous Melbourne-based artist Khosnaran Khurelbaatar (Heesco), it also incorporates Aboriginal designs from local Wiradjuri man, Mark Saddler.

If you’re camping or caravanning, Yerong Creek Recreational Ground offers powered and non-powered sites for campers, motorhomes, caravans and big rigs.

Pleasant Hills

Yes, there is indeed such a place. Surrounded by rolling hills, natural bushland and open farmland, it certainly lives up to its name – just ask the locals. The village’s history and strong Lutheran influence are all around with impressive buildings like the Public Hall, the wattle and daub church and the unique street signs in both English and German.

Don’t miss having a pint with the locals at the pub. The Pleasant Hills Community Hotel was closed in 1999 when the licence was sold outside of the town. The village folk and the surrounding community worked together to buy the hotel property and it became NSW’s first community-owned hotel (be sure to check opening hours before you visit).

Pleasant Hills Esplanade is a grassy box woodland where you’ll find towering white-trunked gums with sprawling canopies. Wander through and see if you can spot the grey-crowned Blabber.

Milbrulong and Tootool

Located between The Rock and Lockhart, you’ll find the small villages of Milbrulong and Tootool.

Be sure to admire the Milbrulong Water Tower mural, painted by artists Scott Nagy and Krimsone whose style you’ll recognise from Lockhart’s mural. Just a few minutes down the road is the Tootool Wetland where you might be lucky enough to see an apostlebird, grey fantail friarbirds and pardalotes.

Take time to enjoy the beautiful gardens and learn more about the district’s history at the Tootool Rest Area. Oh, and grab a selfie at the Tootool Telstra Telephone Exchange Building Mural. It features images of the old Tootool bridge, native flora and fauna, and a representation of the infamous swaggie that used to frequent these parts.

Highlights

What’s on

Don’t miss our region’s unique festivals, markets and shows

Be sure to check the Visit Lockhart Shire website for the latest event updates when you visit as dates can change and new events are often popping up along the Murrumbidgee Trails.

Spirit of the Land Festival

A celebration of the land, the event that set the wheels in motion for Lockhart’s legacy of captivating farm art sculptures.

See the National Farm Art Awards entries crafted from recycled metal and all kinds of farm-scavenged bits and pieces. Browse art and photo exhibitions, wander through charming open gardens and take time to soak in the atmosphere of the main street market and live music.

Lockhart Picnic Races

On the bucket list should always be a country picnic races outing, and you’ll find one of the best in the state at the historic Lockhart Showground each spring.

A trackside picnic lunch before the racing commences, the ever-popular (and occasionally eye-opening) fashions on the field, and a crowd full of local characters will keep you coming back year after year.

The Rock Triathlon

If it’s breaking a sweat you crave, The Rock Triathlon is the place to do it. Run, cycle, swim and run again, all against the perfect backdrop the town’s namesake provides.