A rural town on the edge of some of Australia’s most popular national parks, Henty is an outdoor lover’s paradise blessed with canoeing, fishing, hiking and birdwatching opportunities. This country town also has a lot of unique flavour, from the three-day Henty Machinery Field Days fair to historic farms and quirky bazaars.
Things to do in Henty
If you love exploring Australia’s nature, head to Doodle Comer Swamp Nature Reserve for a day of canoeing, fishing and birdwatching. You can also drive about one hour to Benambra National Park, where you’ll see some of New South Wales’ best red and white box eucalypt woodlands. Keep your eyes peeled for rare wildlife species, such as swift parrots and the squirrel glider.
Discover more about Henty’s rich history at the Henty Observer Printing Museum, where you can see how newspapers were once printed. Explore a range of pre-1900s machines, including linotype machines, guillotines and newspaper folding devices. Afterwards, learn about traditional farming practices at Ed's Old Farm Machinery Museum, which boasts decades-old agricultural machinery.
If you’re looking for unique gifts or treasures, visit Judy’s Bazaar, which sells knitting accessories, quilts, patchwork fabrics and other handicrafts. Make sure you snap a photo of the iconic Henty Man, before visiting the Doodle Cooma Craft Shop at the old Railway Station. It’s home to artisan jams, handmade homewares and locally-crafted gifts.
Time your visit with the annual Henty Machinery Field Days, a three-day fair that showcases the region’s best food, wine and entertainment. You’ll also get a deeper insight into the local agricultural industry through machinery and equipment stands.
Getting around Henty
Henty is connected to Melbourne and Sydney via the New South Wales XPT train service. You can also drive there from Canberra in about 3.5 hours. You can walk around the town centre, but you’ll need a vehicle to explore further afield.