Twenty-eight members of the Batemans Bay Garden Club embarked on a three-day coach tour of Goulburn and surrounds on Tuesday, March 14.
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First stop at Braidwood for morning tea, then on to Garroorigang historic homestead for a guided tour of the building and surrounds, followed by a light lunch.
Onwards to Goulburn Water Works for another tour of the last operational steam engine beam pump in the Southern Hemisphere, which was installed to provide fresh water for Goulburn in the late 1800s. The machine is still capable of operating, but being coal fired steam, it is too costly and environmentally unfriendly.
A tour of St Peter and Paul cathedral was next on the agenda, where members marvelled at the magnificent building.
The day was capped off with a walk through some beautiful rose gardens.
Day 2 was spent touring the Mount Annan botanic gardens with a guide to point out the many interesting features and explain the overall plan, as the gardens are a work in progress.
On the return journey the group was treated to a tour of Eling’s winery for some tasting and an informative demonstration/talk on how wine is produced.
Day 3 was spent at an alpaca farm in Crookwell, where members were greeted by Susan (the owner), who was very informative on alpaca farming and fibre production. The alpacas are inquisitive and friendly animals and they were quite at ease with the members, who were invited to feed them.
The next stop was Crookwell Sock Factory to see how woollen socks are made on older style machines. Andrew (sock producer) explained how the machines were ‘old’ technology but managed to produce high quality comfortable socks. The factory has nine machines in work (and several in storage for spare parts).
Our final destination was St Bartholomew’s Church in Crookwell where we were privileged to hear an organ recital on the biggest pipe organ in the Southern Hemisphere.
The trip was planned and researched by Graeme Osborne and went off without any problems (we even managed to avoid the rain). Graeme was thanked by all and asked where and when his next excursion will take place.