18 BEGA - SAPPHIRE COAST - SUMMER 2024 A region of markets, music and country charm 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 the rustic charm of yesteryear, and provides a colourful country market on the first Sunday of every month, from 8.30am to 12.30pm. 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. The town has become a popular tourist destination, thanks to its olden-style stores, arts and crafts galleries, tea rooms, antique shops and its colourful country market, held every Saturday. It also hosts an annual country show (scheduled for 7-9 February 2025) followed later in the month by the very popular Cobargo Folk Festival (28 February – 2 March 2025), which in 2024 featured more than 60 different folk performances, including popular-singer songwriter Eric Bogle, and folk outfit Whiskey Dram (pictured below). Folk outfit Whiskey Dram is one of more than 60 artists appearing at the forthcoming Cobargo Folk Festival. Photo: CFF At the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre you can learn about the history of the valley and the cheesemaking process. Bega is renowned for its rolling hills and verdant dairy farms. Photo: Hamilton Lund/Destination NSW Scan here for full detailed map CARP STREET GIPPS STREET EAST STREET NEWTOWN ROAD PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY AUCKLAND STREET AUCKLAND STREET TATHRA STREET UPPER STREET UPPER STREET CARP STREET CARP STREET MERIMBULA & PAMBULA TO BERMAGUI TO TATHRA TO BEGA Welcome to
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