In the heart of the Monaro lies a tiny village with a lot of history, and a lot of personality – Nimmitabel.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Located on the Monaro Highway between Cooma and Bega, Nimmitabel is equally accessible to sea, snow and city making it an ideal base from which to explore the region.
However, the village itself has much to offer with a streetscape comprised of historic buildings, an important place in the history of the region, and at 1070m above sea level sweeping views of the mountains and surrounding Monaro Plains.
The main street boasts an array of vibrant businesses unexpected in such a small village, offering a variety of goods and services to the locals and the traveller alike, and was featured in the 1960 film The Sundowners, starring Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr.
It is a perfect stopover or stayover for anyone travelling through the region.
Recently, local business owners came together to form a new and revitalised Nimmitabel Chamber of Commerce, with a mission statement to bring the wonders of our little village to wider attention by organising and running events for the enjoyment of our locals and visitors.
Working with other community groups and organisations, our first event is the Back to Nimmitabel Festival on Saturday, October 28, which celebrates the rich and vibrant history of the town and its people over the years.
With the streetscape of restored historic buildings featuring as a backdrop, the festival will host a range of activities and demonstrations in the yards and premises of the businesses on the main street.
The activities confirmed for the day so far are:
Announcements throughout the day by a Town Crier; Chart of 125 years of student admissions to Nimmitabel Public school, come and find your family and heritage; Kids activities supervised by the pre-school - games of the old schoolyard; Nimmitabel Advancement Group Trick a Treat and Fancy-Dress Disco Party. 4.30 - 7.30 pm in the Pioneer Hall. $2 entry includes a drink, hot dog and snacks; Black Max Leather Shop open all day; Damper and billy tea at Bellz coffee shop;High Tea at Royal Arms, morning and afternoon sittings Saturday and Sunday, by appointment. Call Grant on 0418 897 062 or Diane on 0429 312 302.
Whip cracking on old bowling green at the Country Club; Fleece to Yarn shearing/spinning demonstration at 11am in the yard between Woolly Wonders and the Federal Hotel, with special guest demonstrators; a speed knitting competition will be held in conjunction with the Textile and Fibre Exhibition - local handmade creations on display in Shop 3 at the Corner Store.
A 50th anniversary luncheon at the Country Club at 12.30pm. Bookings essential on 6454 6323.
Bush poetry with Rod Anderson and others and with apologies to the Antiques Roadshow, information and appraisals on your collectibles and curios. Also, professional coin dealer Rob Preston will be available for appraisals of coins and medals.
Garden club plants and garden book stall next to leather shop; Geldmacher Museum open; Margaret Weston and others - tall tales and bush yarns.
Nimmitabel CWA markets with many craft stalls, cake stall and face painting. Please notify Leonie on 6454 6256 b/w 5pm-7.30pm before October 26 if you want a stall.
Nimmitabel Bakery will be selling a huge range of traditional cakes and pies including Lamingtons and Anzac biscuits and there will be a sausage sizzle all day next to the pub; Old wares for sale in Shop 2 at the Corner Store; Merrita's shop open for homemade cakes; Jo & Duncan's plants, treasures and gifts will be open; The Lolly Shop and Woolly Wonders will be open all day; Tony Preston's country antiques will be open; Face painting happening all day – book in to make sure the kids have their faces on in time for Trick-a-Treat!
The Nimmitabel Chamber of Commerce is planning to launch several more events in the future, allowing both locals and visitors to experience the full range of seasonal offerings from the area.
Plans are already well underway for Steampunk at Altitude which runs for the entire weekend the first weekend of May, and we have plans under development for others.
Nimmitabel has been the best kept secret on the Monaro, but that is about to change as the Chamber showcases the many attractions on offer.