Crookwell Area - Crookwell
Just three hours drive from Sydney, and one hour and 30 minutes drive from Canberra is the historic and friendly town of Crookwell. Situated 914 metres above sea level on the Great Dividing Range, the tree-lined township of Crookwell dominates the area’s great natural beauty. Because of the cool climate,
gardens in this high country are spectacular. Fabulous displays of massed bulbs in spring, and glorious colour changes in the trees during Autumn, mean
the whole district is ablaze with colour. The crisp, fresh air resulted in Crookwell being the location for Australia’s first fully-commercial grid-connected Wind
Farm, which can be seen from the viewing area on the Goulburn Road.
The original name of Crookwell was “Kiamma”, an Aboriginal place name meaning ‘good fishing ground’. The first rainbow and brown trout to be released on
the mainland occurred in 1888 in the Wollondilly River. Today there is still an abundance of sparkling streams for trout fishing, and fossicking for gold and
sapphires. Crookwell is surrounded by the small villages of Binda, Laggan, Grabben Gullen, Tuena and Bigga, where bushranger, gold mining history and
wonderful stone buildings abound. North-west of Crookwell, Grabine Lakeside State Park at Lake Wyangla is a mecca for fishing, water-sports, and lazy
weekends away.
Crookwell has many events and festivals during the year from Crookwell Country Weekend in autumn, a Classical Winter Festival and Seasonings a Festival
of Food and Flowers in the spring. There is always something happening.
The Crookwell Visitor Information Centre is located in the main street of Crookwell and showcases local arts, crafts, and specialises in woollen and alpaca
products. Our friendly staff can provide maps and information about local attractions, accommodation and interesting places to visit.