Main Street, Leeton

Leeton NSW 2705 (Pop 7 500)

Leeton is the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) administrative centre. Situated in the state’s Central South, Leeton is 595 km west of Sydney via the Hume & Sturt Hwys. Like Canberra, it was designed in 1914 by American architect, Walter Burley Griffin, and named after C.A. Lee, the minister for public works when the irrigation scheme opened. Original inhabitants were the Wiradjuri Aborigines, the largest tribe in NSW. Early European settlement began in nearby Yanco an indigenous word meaning ‘the sound of running water’.  Leeton’s future success was guaranteed when a cannery opened in 1914, the railway arrived in 1922 and the MIA was established.  Today Leeton’s fruit, vegetable, rice and grape growing as well as wine making ensure a strong economy for the town. Leeton Rodeo (Mar) and Sunrice Festival (Easter – even numbered years). Leeton Races (May).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Leeton's Art Deco Architecture found in over 20 buildings in town particularly the Roxy Theatre (1930), Pine Ave. and the Hydro Hotel (1919), Chelmsford Pl.

Nearby:
Yanco (8km south) the site of the establishment of the MIA by Sir Samuel McCaughey.  Yanco is linked to Leeton by a flat 7-km cycleway. Yanco Agricultural High School (11 km south) formerly McCaughey’s magnificent mansion (1899) set on 400 acres, Yanco Agricultural Institute covering 825 ha and McCaughey Aquatic Park, a former swamp converted to 3.6 ha of parkland with small lakes, bridges and a playground.  Yanco Weir (7 km south) on the Murrumbidgee River excellent area for swimming, boating and fishing. Yanco Powerhouse Museum, Binya St. Open 10am-4pm. Whitton Courthouse Musem, Gogeldrie St (23 km west) Open 10am-1pm (Tues) & 1pm-4pm (weekends only). Fivebough Wetland, Petersham Rd a prolific 400 ha water bird habitat in large wetland basin with good walking trails. Murrumbidgee State Forest (12 km south) scenic drives through red gum forests to sandy river beaches. Great water skiing at Turkey Flat Ski Beach.

Accommodation:
Leeton has 3 motels, 2 hotels, a couple of B&Bs and 2 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 10 Yanco Ave. Tel (02) 6953 6481.

Airport:
Narrandera Leeton Airport (NRA) Irrigation Way, Narrandera. (30 km s-e).

Hospital:
Leeton District Hospital, Palm Ave. Tel (02) 6953 1111.

Other Emergency Services:
Police Tel (02) 6953 2044. Ambulance 131233. Fire Brigade Tel (02) 6953 6786