PAGE 118 | LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE BEGA Considered the historic 'country centre' of the NSW Sapphire Coast, the quaint town of Bega is located in a lush pastoral region. And while Bega is best known for being home of the internationally famous Bega Cheese brand (the original Bega Cheese factory opened in the town in 1900) there are plenty of other attractions in and around the town. Historic Bega Dairying began in the verdant Bega Valley in the 1850s. At the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre – a reconstruction of one of the first buildings of the Bega Co-operative Creamery Company – you can learn about the history of the valley and the cheesemaking process (and also taste the delicious results). A historic walk around Bega is an intriguing way of stepping back into the past, and it's also worth checking out the local produce market, which runs from 8am to 1pm every Friday in Bega's Littleton Gardens. Country atmosphere South-west of Bega is Candelo, which still retains its rustic charm of yesteryear, and provides a colourful market on the first Sunday of every month, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, featuring local produce and a wonderful country atmosphere. Early settlers had the foresight to establish a beautiful park beside the river here, and today it still provides a year-round meeting place for locals and visitors. Colourful Cobargo Located in Bega Valley Shire, 30-minutes' drive north of Bega, Cobargo is a small village with a permanent population of less than 800 people. The name Cobargo may have originated from the local First Nations word 'cubago', which some sources say was used to describe nearby Mount Gulaga. White settlers started grazing cattle in the area in the late 1820s, and the town eventually grew large enough to have its own newspaper, butter factory, post office, bank and a variety of stores. The town's streetscape still features turn-ofthe-century buildings, and has become a popular tourist destination, thanks to its oldenstyle stores, arts and crafts galleries, tea rooms, antique shops and its colourful country market, held every Saturday in the main street. Where dairying history meets scenic wonder Cobargo’s colourful streetscape. Photo: David Rogers Photography Candelo still retains its rustic charm of yesteryear. A reconstruction of the original Bega Co-operative Creamery Company building. Diverse landscapes There are many magnificent national parks to explore in the region, offering diverse landscapes and a rich indigenous history. These include Wadbilliga, Bournda and Biamanga: a significant site for local Yuin First Nations people. At Biamanga National Park – which was returned to its traditional owners in 2006 — you can immerse yourself in the wild landscapes of granite boulders, gum trees, the Mumbulla Creek Falls, and ancient indigenous lore. Twenty kilometres west of Cobargo is Wadbilliga National Park, which features an array of scenic bushwalks, two picturesque waterfalls, birdwatching, abundant native flora and fauna, 4WD touring, mountain biking, and numerous camping and picnicking opportunities.
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