Information Centres Along The Way

 

To the experienced traveller, the Information Centre is an invaluable first stop in any town. Not only can you be guaranteed a clean toilet, you will be given an overview of the broad selection of tourist options available to you as you explore any given area. Whatever your explorer identity, be it walking, cycling, riding, off- road or self-guided: your predilections will be catered to in the precinct’s information bureau.

In our fact-finding Canola Way investigation, we were surprised to find a dearth of these tourist friendly centres. Although Grong Grong, at the extreme end of the “forgotten” end of the Canola Way is an end post of the Narrandera Shire, it could be said that this shire has a glowing example of an Information Centre. Newly built, its promotions branch far and wide beyond its Shire borders, generously promoting attractions within a broad reach, genuinely assisting the travelling public, as well as providing the best from local providores. (I heartily recommend the Lazy Days Salad dressing which I supply to my Sydney friends.) Well worth a visit!

Through to Coolamon Shire where you will look in vain for one Information Centre but three elements: the Fire Station Museum, the Up-to-Date Store and the library. Fortunately, these three are within close proximity to one another, as the first two may not always be open and the library may be the best option. Fortunately, good public toilet options abound: one at the rear of the Museum, another at the rear of the Store. Information is therefore to be had in a kind of haphazard way, although both the Museum and Store, if opened, are spectacular finds in themselves.

Driving on to Junee, we intended to pop in to the Info Centre there. Although we visited on a Wednesday, it was closed!

Lastly, Temora, where we dropped into a well sign posted, open Information Centre
on the outskirts of the town. The toilets were pristine and the tourism information expansive. Local produce was plentiful for the interested purchaser of local provision. A fabulous map of the Canola Trail was on view. Although recently commissioned, it excluded the Ganmain, Matong and Grong Grong ends of the trail. The tourism advisers were extraordinarily apologetic but they based their information on a booklet that was sadly out-of-date. Coolamon Council clearly forgot that Ganmain, Matong and Grong Grong also are on the trail. They can now rightly be termed “The Forgotten Way”. (To be fair, Grong Grong is part of Narrandera Shire.)

Never-the-less, tourist love to find the roads “less-travelled” and we are encouraged to right the wrongs of the past.

Until next month, we'll see you along the way. 

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