Explore the limestone formations in Careys Caves, inspect Devonian era fossils from 400 million years ago, or go bushwalking in the Yass Valley.

The Yass Valley region has fantastic wineries, farmers markets, historical sites and antique centres. It is home to many talented artists, sculptors, designers and creators just waiting to show off their creations in the many galleries, retail shops and design studios.

The colonial streetscapes of the region come alive with festivals throughout the year so be sure to look them up if you’re in the area.

Harden is known as a twin town with Murrumburrah. Take a self-guided heritage walk and explore the historical buildings.

You can discover more about the colonial gold rush at the Gold Trail Experience, which uses interactive touchscreens to explore the intriguing history of Chinese and European miners, troopers and bushrangers such as Ben Hall.

From fascinating heritage, to gourmet delights and even kite flying at the Harden Kite Festival in October.

The National Cherry Festival is a popular family event held in December that draws thousands of visitors.

But even if you visit out of season for the Summer fruits, there’s always jams, sauces and cherry pies on offer to give you a taste of Young’s outstanding bounty.

As well as it's local icons, the region also has a rich gold mining heritage, a thriving arts scene and some local wineries where you can watch kangaroos graze in the paddocks early in the morning.

Home to the Temora Aviation Museum with its significant collection of military aircraft and the Temora Historic Flight Club, it’s little wonder that Temora hosts an annual Warbird show in October, the largest gathering of Warbird aircraft in the country.

The annual Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival in March celebrates the railway heritage as well as local wines and produce with steam train rides, music and excellent food and wine.You can even stay in a tastefully converted red rattler rail carriage at Junee Rail Carriage B&B.

Wagga Wagga offers a round-up of the best things in the surrounding area - wineries, olive groves, aviation heritage and trains.

As a large regional centre, it’s also an excellent place to access services, go see a movie, dine out in one of the many local restaurants that offer everything from modern Australian, to Greek, Chinese and bistro meals at pubs and clubs.

Two hours drive from Canberra, Gundagai is part of the lands of the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people and was settled by Europeans around the 1820s. Visit the Gundagai Historic Museum and discover the story of Yarri and Jacky, Wiradjuri men who saved many lives during Gundagai's great flood of 1852.

The outskirts of Jugiong is where Johnny Gilbert, Ben Hall and John Dunn held up a mail coach, and subsequently killed a young Sergeant named Edmund Parry in 1864.This is just one of the many stories that abound in this area where these once nefarious criminals wreaked havoc.

In quieter times, Jugiong was a peaceful settlement on the shores of the Murrumbidgee River.