We visit the NSW Riverina almost every year, but typically it is on our way to or from a destination on the other side. This autumn we headed to Griffith, booked accommodation for a number of days and then set about eating our way through the town. What we discovered was a plethora of things to do in Griffith with kids which has left them asking when we can return!
Griffith itself is a city that was designed by Walter Burley Griffin (you know, the architect that also designed Canberra) in 1914 as part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme, and by 1916 it was declared a town. It is well known for its Italian influence, with many families arriving in the early years of the town to run steamboats on the Murrumbidgee and Murray River, before settling on the farms.
The large Italian heritage of the Griffith residents has led to an abundance of amazing Italian restaurants, cafes, wineries and farm gates. The pasta and delis were what drew us to staying in town and discovering all the best things to do in Griffith with kids.
Griffith is on Wiradjuri country.
Visiting Griffith with Kids
Table of Contents
Griffith Visitor Information Centre
Super easy to find due to the aeroplane that hangs outside, the Griffith Visitor Information Centre is the place to head if you want some insider tips on places to see and things to do in Griffith with kids. They have free maps, an interpretative display area which provides a good history of how Griffith started over 100 years ago, and of course, lots of suggestions on how to have fun in town.
Address: 1 Jondaryan Ave, Griffith NSW 2680
Opening Hours: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm 7 days | closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Griffith Pioneer Park Museum
Consisting of over 40 buildings each housing historic exhibitions, the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum is an open air museum managed by the local council. Spread across 11 acres, visitors can explore a unique collection of carts and vintage Rugby vehicles, an extensive collection of artefacts, Wumbulgal School which is representative of the large number of one-teacher schools, Gunbar gaol, and so much more. The grounds are also home to the Italian Museum and the Wine and Water Exhibition
Address: Remembrance Dr, Griffith NSW 2680
Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Weekdays | 10.00 am – 3.00 pm Weekends | Closed on Mondays
Website: Griffith Pioneer Park Museum
Hermits Cave
Between 1929 to 1952 Valerio Ricetti fashioned his home on Scenic Hill, overlooking Griffith. Using his skills as a cement and stonemason learned in Italy, Valerio fashioned his own private utopia, creating massive stone caves, galleries and pathways, cliff-side gardens and floral painted rock walls that sprawled for around 1 kilometre. Today his creation is heritage-listed and free to visit.
If you are visiting with children be mindful that the pathway is very steep in areas. Keep the kids close as there are some areas which are high – you don’t want to fall! With our teen and tween, this was one of our favourite things to do in Griffith with kids.
Address: Scenic Dr, Griffith NSW 2680
Opening Hours: Every day | All hours
Lake Wyangan
Head out of Griffith for around 10 minutes and you will find Lake Wyangan north-west of the town. Almost 70 years ago, this space was a gypsum mine and a natural swamp area, but has transformed into a recreation and wildlife space.
Lake Wyangan has become a space people head to for boating, fishing, skiing, sailing, and picnicking. It also has a small playground.
City Park
If you are looking for things to do in Griffith with kids, look no further than City Park! This playground has been named one of Australia’s best playgrounds. We had to try try it – skeptical that it would hold Striker (14) and Sunshine’s (12) attention. They loved it and didn’t want to leave (head to our instagram page for our story!)
Address: 210 Yambil St, Griffith NSW 2680
Griffith War Memorial Museum
If military history interests you a trip you may like to add the Griffith War Memorial Museum to your itinerary. This museum is home to a number of artefacts that showcase the social history linked to military operations of ex-service people and their families from Griffith and districts.
Address: 167-185 Banna Ave, Griffith NSW 2680
Opening Hours: Open Thursday & Friday 10.00 am – 2.00 pm | Saturday 11.00 am – 2.00 pm | We recommend calling ahead of your visit to check they are open.
Website: Griffith War Memorial
Catania Fruit Salad Farm
T is always a few steps ahead of me when it comes to planning ‘food’ based experiences on our travels. When we decided to visit Griffith, he quickly uncovered Catania Fruit Salad Farm and added it to the top of our list based on the reviews he read.
Catania Fruit Salad Farm is owned and run by Joe and Sharon Maugeri. When the other members of our tour were delayed, Joe gave us an impromptu walk and taste of some of the fruit and nuts around the homestead while we waited – how lucky were we!
Once all members of our tour arrived, we hoped on the vintage farm bus and headed off with Sharon to tour the property and learn about the 60+ types of fruit and nut trees that are planted across the farm. We also had a chance to learn about the history of fruit in Griffith and a little about the Italians who live in this area.
We LOVED this tour and highly recommend it to families who are interested in food and love taste testing new foods.
Address: Farm 43 Cox Road Hanwood 2680
Opening Hours: RIng ahead for tour times.
Website: Catania Fruit Salad Farm
Altina Wildlife Park
Visitors to Altina Wildlife Park are guided through the park on a 2.5 hour tour on either a personalised horse-drawn or motorised cart. Each guide knows the animals and ensures you and the kids get to see the animals up close (safely too!).
The Altina Wildlife Park has quite a menagerie of animals including rhinos, zebras, American alligators, lions, a variety of antelopes, American bison, monkeys and more!
You will need to book ahead for this experience.
Address: 14432 Sturt Hwy, Darlington Point NSW 2706
Website: Altina Wildlife Park
Cocoparra National Park
Cocoparra National Park is a beautiful part of the Riverina and offers some stunning walks where you can view some gorgeous wildflowers, spot waterfalls, bird life and other native animals. Head up Mt Bingar for a gorgeous view over the park, or have a picnic at Pines Picnic area.
Address:Yenda NSW 2681
Website: Cocoparra National Park
Spring Fest
SInce 2017, The Griffith Spring Fest has run for a fortnight each October and is a chance to visit a number of open gardens across the region, attend workshops and have a heap of fun.
Website: Griffith Spring Fest
Griffith Wineries
There are a plethora of wineries to visit in Griffith, so you are really spoilt for choice. Our top recommendations are:
Calabria Family Wines
Established by Francesco and Elisabetta Calabria back in 1945, Calabria Family Wines is now one of Australia’s most popular wine brands and is sold to over 36 countries overseas. Visit with the family and explore the vineyard and taste a few wines at the cellar door.
Address: 1283 Brayne Rd, Griffith NSW 2680
Website: Calabria Family Wines
Yarran Wines
First established in 1978 by the Brewer family, Yarran Wines creates some delightful wines and have a cellar door which offers a range of curated wine experiences.
Address: 178 Myall Park Rd, Yenda NSW 2681
Website: Yarran Wines
Where to Eat in Griffith with Kids
Griffth made it onto our Kid Bucket List after we were repeatedly told about the food experiences in town. If you love Italian, Griffith offers a range of different experiences from cafes to patisseries, delis and restaurants. We’ve pulled together some of our favourites.
Bertoldo’s Pasticceria – Established in 1952. Bertoldo’s is an iconic spot in Griffith. We were repeatedly encouraged to visit on our trip and walked out with bread, numerous bite sized sweets, cannoli and more.
Zecca – Do you love handmade pasta? If the answer is yes, I recommend Zecca. Housed in an old art deco Rural Bank, Zecca is focused on rare, unknown and obscure pasta shapes, and creates authentic Italian dishes. It’s simple, full of flavour and yummy. We brought a number of packets of their pasta for home (and I am looking for where to get it back here in Sydney!).
Giuseppe’s Restaurant & Bar – We headed to Giuseppe’s for a family dinner on our last night in Griffith and found ourselves delighting in the flavours of each dish as it came out. Big flavours and a big menu – this is a family restaurant to take your kids.
Limone Dining – I really wanted to eat here but we couldn’t get a booking! Most items on the menu are sourced from the Piccolo Farm with a farm to fork philosophy. If you have eaten here, can you confirm that it’s a yummy as my research says it is!?!
La Piccola Grosseria & Italian Deli – A very small Italian deli, T swears that they serve the best coffee in Griffith! We purchased numerous small goods here for a picnic lunch. We returned the next day for more coffee!
Where to Stay in Griffith
We learned the hard way that during the school holidays, accommodation is booked out in advance – so plan your visit!
Griffith offers a range of accommodation options for families.
The Clarenton – Located in Griffith city, The Clarenton was recommended to us again and again for the private self-contained accommodation, however they were booked out!
Quest Griffith – We have always enjoyed staying in Quest apartments as they are typically spacious and offer 2 and 3 bedroom choices.
Kidman Wayside Inn – We booked the family room at Kidman Wayside Inn. Whilst quite basic, it was exceptionally clean and was serviced each day while we were out and exploring. For a budget choice, it was ideal.
Corynnia Station Farm Stay B&B – If you are after an Aussie farm experience then a stay on this 17,000 acre busy working property might be one to choose!
Getting to Griffith
By train
NSW Train Link: Melbourne XPT runs twice daily between Melbourne and Sydney and stops at Cootamundra and/or Wagga Wagga with a connecting coach to Griffith
By Plane
Both Qantas and Rex fly from Sydney to Griffith each day.
By Car
Griffith is a 6.5 hour drive from Sydney, or just over 5 hours from Melbourne.
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