SAPPHIRE COAST - SPRING 2024 - BEGA 21 Discover a rich dairying history and lots more Considered the historic ‘country centre’ of the NSW Sapphire Coast, the quaint and historic town of Bega is located in a lush cattle-grazing region, and is probably best known for being home to the internationally famous Bega Cheese brand. Dairying history Dairying began in the verdant Bega Valley in the 1850s, and the original Bega Cheese factory opened in 1900. 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!). Then and now A historic walk around Bega is an intriguing way of stepping back into the past, and it’s also worth checking out the funky and stylish new cafés and galleries that have popped up around the town, along with a new micro gin distillery – all of which are helping to turn the little town of Bega into an epicurean epicentre. Community market If you’re in Bega at the right time, be sure to check out the local community produce market, which runs from 8am to 1pm every Friday in Bega’s Littleton Gardens, with the region’s growers and producers displaying their wares, which typically range from baked goods and sourdough, to seedlings and seeds, abundant seasonal produce, flowers, preserves and crafts... all to a soundtrack of live music from local artists. Rustic Candelo South-west of Bega is Candelo, a small town of less than 700 people, which still retains the rustic charm of yesteryear. The township 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 location for relaxing walks and picnics. 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-of-the-century buildings, and 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 in the main street. It also hosts an annual show in February, and a popular folk music festival on the first weekend of March. A reconstruction of the original Bega Co-operative Creamery Company building. A storeholder at Bega’s local community produce market, which is held every Friday in the town’s Littleton Gardens. Photo: Visit 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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