Griffith, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Griffith
is a city in south-western New South Wales
, Australia
. It is also the seat of the City of Griffith
local government area. Like the Australian capital, Canberra
and the nearby town of Leeton
, Griffith was designed by Walter Burley Griffin
. Griffith was named after Sir Arthur Griffith
the first New South Wales
minister of Public Works. Griffith was proclaimed a city
in 1987, and presently has a population of 16,182.
It can be accessed by road from Sydney and Canberra via the Hume Highway
and the Burley Griffin Way
and from Melbourne via the Newell Highway
and either by using the Kidman Way
or the Irrigation Way
.
The city of Griffith had contained no traffic lights up until February 2010 when the first set of traffic lights were installed at the intersection of Burrell Place and Wakaden Street.
2,857 persons were born overseas, of which 942 persons were born in Italy
and 357 persons were born in India
.
28% of persons declared themselves being of Australian ancestry, 19% English ancestry, 18% Italian ancestry, 6% Irish ancestry and 5% Scottish ancestry. Respondents could nominate up to two ancestries.
as part of the New South Wales State Government's Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area
(MIA) project to supply irrigation from the Murrumbidgee
river in western New South Wales to be used for farming. The main dam was the large Burrinjuck Dam
between Gundagai and Canberra, which stored water to be released down the river for irrigation. Berembed Weir, near Narrandera, was built across the Murrumbidgee River, from which flows the Main Canal. The Canal, almost a river in its own right, flows through the MIA to Griffith, supplying water to the entire area, and petering out to the northwest of the city in rice farms.
The water supply was further enhanced with the construction of the Snowy River scheme by the Australian Federal Government in the 1950s and 1960s. The Blowering Dam
, a large dam near Tumut
stores a significant amount of water to be released down the Murrumbidgee for irrigation around Leeton, Griffith and the newer Coleambally area south of the Murrumbidgee and Griffith.
From the start of the MIA, citrus and other fruit and vegetables were grown in abundance around Griffith. In the 1950s the irrigation area expanded to include large rice farms. Vineyards were established early, and wineries followed, beginning with McWilliams
wines at Hanwood and Yenda, two villages just outside the city.
From its earliest days, the MIA was populated by Italian
workers, some of whom were initially employed by Australian farmers to run steamboats on the Murrumbidgee and Murray River
s. Approximately 60% of today's Griffith population claim Italian background. These include the initial settlement of Italians from the boat crews and other Italians who came out to Australia in the Depression, or from a second wave of immigrant Italians who came to Griffith in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
In the 1970s, Griffith was often associated with drug distribution (particularly marijuana
) and organised crime, as depicted in 2009 by Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
. However, Griffith is now associated with good wine and food, primarily as a result of its diverse population, with notable contributions by Italian-Australians. Griffith's multi-ethnic population is now absorbing new national groups, including a significant Sikh Indian community. The city is sister city with the Italian city of Treviso
in the Veneto Region. Many Italians in Griffith are from the Veneto
Region or the Calabria
Region of Italy.
The Italian influence expanded the range of fruit and vegetables, and also significantly increased the number of wineries and the range of wines produced. De Bortoli
, Rosetto and other wineries were established by Italian immigrants, and today they are well known around Australia. In recent times they have been joined by one of the country's best known wine labels, Yellow Tail
, produced by Casella Wines.
Griffith is the cathedral city of the Anglican
Diocese of Riverina. The foundation stone of the Parish Church of St Alban the Martyr was dedicated in 1954. It was proclaimed as a cathedral in 1984.
.
- one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia. Thanks to irrigation Griffith is rich in agriculture and the city is also known as Australia's "Wine and Food Country".
Griffith has experienced strong commercial growth in recent years. Griffith's main streets are Banna Avenue and Yambil Streets but commercial growth has occurred throughout the city. Shopping centre developments include:
largest employer, the Baiada Group. Griffith also has several wineries, including De Bortoli Wines
and Casellas (makers of Yellowtail
wine); and the Summertime Juice Factory.
has been constructed to the north west of the city. Other housing development has occurred in North Griffith, Mayfair and Pioneer.
after Wagga Wagga
and Leeton
.
Griffith is home to three high schools:
Griffith also has 13 primary schools and various day care and pre-school facilities. Griffith has one of the largest campuses of Riverina Institute of TAFE. There has been recent plans to construct a fifth campus of Charles Sturt University
in Griffith.
Griffith is a major junction for the Kidman Way
, Burley Griffin Way
and Irrigation Way
. Griffith is located 550 km west of Sydney
via Burley Griffin Way and Irrigation Way and 450 km north of Melbourne
via the Kidman Way. Griffith has daily bus services to the major metropolitan areas and a special Xplorer
service to Sydney on weekends. Griffith Airport
operates daily flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
The railway reached Griffith on 3 July 1916 and since that date has provided an excellent service in transporting passengers and goods into and out of the area. Regular goods trains continue, making it a unique railway centre.
for more events see www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/event.asp
Griffith has many tourist attractions. These include Pioneer Park, a 510 seat Regional Theatre, the Italian museum, the Griffith Regional Art Gallery, craft and antique shops, and its many high standard restaurants. Many of the Griffith wineries also have wine tasting at the cellar door, notably De Bortoli Wines
, McWilliams, Beelgara Estate (formally Rossetto Wines), West End Wines, Miranda Wines and Riverina Wines. Griffith is famous for its botrytis
including Debortoli's
Noble One and its fortified wine such as McWilliams' Hanwood Port. Ecotourism is also available in Griffith. Scenic Hill has various walking trails, lookouts and is home to the famous Hermit's Cave
. Nericon Swamp, part of the Griffith Wetlands Important Bird Area
, is an important site for migratory birds. Nearby Cocoparra National Park
offers walking trails and there are opportunities to explore along the Murrumbidgee River
and Lake Wyangan
.
is a city in south-western New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is also the seat of the City of Griffith
City of Griffith
The City of Griffith is a Local Government Area in south-western New South Wales, Australia. It is in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and on Kidman Way....
local government area. Like the Australian capital, Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
and the nearby town of Leeton
Leeton, New South Wales
Leeton is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Leeton is situated approximately 550 km west of Sydney and 450 km north of Melbourne in the productive Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Leeton is administered by Leeton Shire Council...
, Griffith was designed by Walter Burley Griffin
Walter Burley Griffin
Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect and landscape architect, who is best known for his role in designing Canberra, Australia's capital city...
. Griffith was named after Sir Arthur Griffith
Arthur Griffith (Australian politician)
Sir Arthur Frederick Griffith was an Australian politician, and a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1950 until 1953 representing the seat of Canning, and a member of the Western Australian Legislative Council representing the Suburban and North Metropolitan provinces from...
the first New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
minister of Public Works. Griffith was proclaimed a city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in 1987, and presently has a population of 16,182.
It can be accessed by road from Sydney and Canberra via the Hume Highway
Hume Highway
The Hume Highway/Hume Freeway is one of Australia's major inter-city highways, running for 880 km between Sydney and Melbourne. It is part of the Auslink National Network and is a vital link for road freight to transport goods to and from the two cities as well as serving Albury-Wodonga and...
and the Burley Griffin Way
Burley Griffin Way
Burley Griffin Way is a New South Wales state route, is located in south eastern Australia. Named after the American architect, Walter Burley Griffin, designer of the cities of Canberra and Griffith, the highway links the two cities via Yass and the Barton Highway.It provides a major link between...
and from Melbourne via the Newell Highway
Newell Highway
The Newell Highway is the longest highway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs parallel to the eastern coast about 400 kilometres inland, and is the main inland direct road link from Victoria to Queensland, bypassing the more congested coastal areas of New South Wales...
and either by using the Kidman Way
Kidman Way
The Kidman Way is an important highway in New South Wales , Australia, which is designated as State Highway 87. It is named after Sir Sidney Kidman, Australian cattle king and philanthropist who owned a large number of cattle stations along the path, many still owned by his descendants. It is an...
or the Irrigation Way
Irrigation Way
Irrigation Way is a major regional highway that runs approximately 88 kilometres through the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in south western New South Wales, Australia. Irrigation Way runs through three Local Government Area's. It begins at the town of Narrandera on the Newell Highway and runs 30...
.
The city of Griffith had contained no traffic lights up until February 2010 when the first set of traffic lights were installed at the intersection of Burrell Place and Wakaden Street.
Demography
At the 2006 Census, 16,182 persons declared the urban centre locality of Griffith as their usual place of residence. Of this number 13,949 were Australian citizens. The median age was 34, and the average household size was 2.6 members.2,857 persons were born overseas, of which 942 persons were born in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and 357 persons were born in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
28% of persons declared themselves being of Australian ancestry, 19% English ancestry, 18% Italian ancestry, 6% Irish ancestry and 5% Scottish ancestry. Respondents could nominate up to two ancestries.
History
Griffith was established in 19161916 in Australia
See also:1915 in Australia,other events of 1916,1917 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Monarch – King George V*Governor-General – The Right Hon. Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson*Prime Minister – Billy Hughes-State premiers:...
as part of the New South Wales State Government's Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area
Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area
The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area is geographically located within the Riverina area of New South Wales was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production...
(MIA) project to supply irrigation from the Murrumbidgee
Murrumbidgee River
The Murrumbidgee River is a major river in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory . A major tributary of the Murray River, the Murrumbidgee flows in a west-northwesterly direction from the foot of Peppercorn Hill in the Fiery Range of the Snowy Mountains,...
river in western New South Wales to be used for farming. The main dam was the large Burrinjuck Dam
Burrinjuck Dam
Burrinjuck Dam is a high, concrete gravity dam on the Murrumbidgee River approximately 60 km from Yass, New South Wales, Australia. The Yass and Goodradigbee Rivers flow into the dam. The dam divides the upper and lower catchment of the Murrumbidgee and is the headwater storage for the...
between Gundagai and Canberra, which stored water to be released down the river for irrigation. Berembed Weir, near Narrandera, was built across the Murrumbidgee River, from which flows the Main Canal. The Canal, almost a river in its own right, flows through the MIA to Griffith, supplying water to the entire area, and petering out to the northwest of the city in rice farms.
The water supply was further enhanced with the construction of the Snowy River scheme by the Australian Federal Government in the 1950s and 1960s. The Blowering Dam
Blowering Dam
Blowering Dam is on the Tumut River in Australia. It is part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Associated with the dam is the Blowering Power Station....
, a large dam near Tumut
Tumut, New South Wales
Tumut is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia, situated on the banks of the Tumut River. Tumut is at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and is referred to as the gateway to the Snowy Mountains Scheme...
stores a significant amount of water to be released down the Murrumbidgee for irrigation around Leeton, Griffith and the newer Coleambally area south of the Murrumbidgee and Griffith.
From the start of the MIA, citrus and other fruit and vegetables were grown in abundance around Griffith. In the 1950s the irrigation area expanded to include large rice farms. Vineyards were established early, and wineries followed, beginning with McWilliams
McWilliams
McWilliams is a surname that refers to:*Alfred McWilliams , Canadian politician from Prince Edward Island*Bill McWilliams , American professional baseball player...
wines at Hanwood and Yenda, two villages just outside the city.
From its earliest days, the MIA was populated by Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
workers, some of whom were initially employed by Australian farmers to run steamboats on the Murrumbidgee and Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
s. Approximately 60% of today's Griffith population claim Italian background. These include the initial settlement of Italians from the boat crews and other Italians who came out to Australia in the Depression, or from a second wave of immigrant Italians who came to Griffith in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
In the 1970s, Griffith was often associated with drug distribution (particularly marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
) and organised crime, as depicted in 2009 by Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities is a 13-part Australian television mini-series loosely based on real events that stemmed from the marijuana trade centred around the New South Wales town of Griffith. The timeline of the series is the years between 1976 and 1987. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities...
. However, Griffith is now associated with good wine and food, primarily as a result of its diverse population, with notable contributions by Italian-Australians. Griffith's multi-ethnic population is now absorbing new national groups, including a significant Sikh Indian community. The city is sister city with the Italian city of Treviso
Treviso
Treviso is a city and comune in Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Treviso and the municipality has 82,854 inhabitants : some 3,000 live within the Venetian walls or in the historical and monumental center, some 80,000 live in the urban center proper, while the city...
in the Veneto Region. Many Italians in Griffith are from the Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
Region or the Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
Region of Italy.
The Italian influence expanded the range of fruit and vegetables, and also significantly increased the number of wineries and the range of wines produced. De Bortoli
De Bortoli Wines
De Bortoli Wines is one of the larger privately owned companies in Australia. De Bortoli makes a wide range of wines including the sweet white Noble One...
, Rosetto and other wineries were established by Italian immigrants, and today they are well known around Australia. In recent times they have been joined by one of the country's best known wine labels, Yellow Tail
Yellow tail (wine)
Yellow Tail is a brand of wine produced by Casella Wines Pty Ltd. Casella wines is based in Yenda, Australia, which has a population of approximately 1000 people. The Casella family has produced wines since the 1820s in Italy...
, produced by Casella Wines.
Griffith is the cathedral city of the Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
Diocese of Riverina. The foundation stone of the Parish Church of St Alban the Martyr was dedicated in 1954. It was proclaimed as a cathedral in 1984.
Climate
Griffith has a semi-arid climate (BSk) under the Köppen climate classificationKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
.
Commerce
Griffith is the regional service centre for the vast Murrumbidgee Irrigation AreaMurrumbidgee Irrigation Area
The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area is geographically located within the Riverina area of New South Wales was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production...
- one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia. Thanks to irrigation Griffith is rich in agriculture and the city is also known as Australia's "Wine and Food Country".
Commercial
- Griffith City Plaza
- Griffin PlazaGriffin PlazaGriffin Plaza is a shopping centre located in Griffith, New South Wales, Australia. The centre was completed in 1997 to cope with Griffith's rapid growth. The centre was the largest in the city but when Griffith Central shopping centre opened in October 2007, it became the smaller of the two centres...
- Griffith CentralGriffith CentralGriffith Central is a sub-regional shopping centre which opened on October 30, 2007 in Griffith, New South Wales. It was the 2008 winner of the “Business Appearance Award” from Griffith City Council. The mall is owned and operated by Peninsula Development Group.Located on the corner of Yambil and...
- Griffith Lifestyle Centre
- The Gateway Centre
- Griffith Woolworths Complex
- Griffith City Central
- Driver Shopping Complex
Industrial
Griffith is home to the Riverina'sRiverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
largest employer, the Baiada Group. Griffith also has several wineries, including De Bortoli Wines
De Bortoli Wines
De Bortoli Wines is one of the larger privately owned companies in Australia. De Bortoli makes a wide range of wines including the sweet white Noble One...
and Casellas (makers of Yellowtail
Yellowtail
A yellowtail may be any of several different species of fish. Most commonly the Yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi is meant. In the context of sushi, yellowtail usually refers to the Japanese amberjack, Seriola quinqueradiata...
wine); and the Summertime Juice Factory.
Residential
Griffith's urban sprawl is very extensive due to the rapidly growing population. The entire suburb of CollinaCollina, New South Wales
Collina is the newest suburb of Griffith, New South Wales, Australia in the City of Griffith. Collina is located to the northwest of the city and reflects Griffith's rapid growth. Collina means hill in Italian....
has been constructed to the north west of the city. Other housing development has occurred in North Griffith, Mayfair and Pioneer.
Education
Griffith is the third largest centre for education in the RiverinaRiverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
after Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Wagga Wagga is a city in New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Murrumbidgee River, and with an urban population of 46,735 people, Wagga Wagga is the state's largest inland city, as well as an important agricultural, military, and transport hub of Australia...
and Leeton
Leeton, New South Wales
Leeton is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Leeton is situated approximately 550 km west of Sydney and 450 km north of Melbourne in the productive Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Leeton is administered by Leeton Shire Council...
.
Griffith is home to three high schools:
- Wade High SchoolWade High SchoolWade High School is a high school in Griffith, New South Wales, Australia. Wade High School was established in 1971 as Griffith’s second high school. It is a co-educational state public school and has an enrolment of approximately 720 students and 63 staff...
- Griffith High SchoolGriffith High SchoolGriffith High School is a coeducational, New South Wales government public school located in Griffith, New South Wales, Australia.- External links :*...
- Marian Catholic CollegeMarian Catholic CollegeMarian Catholic College is a Catholic, co-educational secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12. It is situated in Griffith, New South Wales, in the diocese of Wagga Wagga, in Australia and is a member college of the diocesan school system...
(formerly Catholic High School)
Griffith also has 13 primary schools and various day care and pre-school facilities. Griffith has one of the largest campuses of Riverina Institute of TAFE. There has been recent plans to construct a fifth campus of Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus university located in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. It has campuses at Bathurst, Canberra, Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Burlington, Ontario...
in Griffith.
Transport
Griffith Buslines operates buses through Griffith and surrounding towns and villages.Griffith is a major junction for the Kidman Way
Kidman Way
The Kidman Way is an important highway in New South Wales , Australia, which is designated as State Highway 87. It is named after Sir Sidney Kidman, Australian cattle king and philanthropist who owned a large number of cattle stations along the path, many still owned by his descendants. It is an...
, Burley Griffin Way
Burley Griffin Way
Burley Griffin Way is a New South Wales state route, is located in south eastern Australia. Named after the American architect, Walter Burley Griffin, designer of the cities of Canberra and Griffith, the highway links the two cities via Yass and the Barton Highway.It provides a major link between...
and Irrigation Way
Irrigation Way
Irrigation Way is a major regional highway that runs approximately 88 kilometres through the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in south western New South Wales, Australia. Irrigation Way runs through three Local Government Area's. It begins at the town of Narrandera on the Newell Highway and runs 30...
. Griffith is located 550 km west of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
via Burley Griffin Way and Irrigation Way and 450 km north of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
via the Kidman Way. Griffith has daily bus services to the major metropolitan areas and a special Xplorer
CountryLink
CountryLink is the operator of passenger rail services in country New South Wales, Australia and into Queensland and Victoria. It is an operating brand of the Rail Corporation New South Wales, a government-owned entity...
service to Sydney on weekends. Griffith Airport
Griffith Airport
Griffith Airport is an airport serving Griffith, New South Wales, Australia. It is located north of Griffith and operated by the Griffith City Council.- Facilities :The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level...
operates daily flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
The railway reached Griffith on 3 July 1916 and since that date has provided an excellent service in transporting passengers and goods into and out of the area. Regular goods trains continue, making it a unique railway centre.
Events
- RiverinaRiverinaThe Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
Field Days, which is held annually in May. - La Festa, Wine, Food and Multicultural Festival, which is held annually over the Easter weekend.
- Festival of Gardens, which is held annually in October
- Sikh Games, held annually on the June Long Weekend
- unWINEd, held annually on the June Long Weekend
for more events see www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/event.asp
Attractions
De Bortoli Wines
De Bortoli Wines is one of the larger privately owned companies in Australia. De Bortoli makes a wide range of wines including the sweet white Noble One...
, McWilliams, Beelgara Estate (formally Rossetto Wines), West End Wines, Miranda Wines and Riverina Wines. Griffith is famous for its botrytis
Noble rot
Noble rot is the benevolent form of a grey fungus, Botrytis cinerea, affecting wine grapes. Infestation by Botrytis requires moist conditions, and if the weather stays wet, the malevolent form, "grey rot", can destroy crops of grapes...
including Debortoli's
De Bortoli Wines
De Bortoli Wines is one of the larger privately owned companies in Australia. De Bortoli makes a wide range of wines including the sweet white Noble One...
Noble One and its fortified wine such as McWilliams' Hanwood Port. Ecotourism is also available in Griffith. Scenic Hill has various walking trails, lookouts and is home to the famous Hermit's Cave
Hermit's Cave
The Hermit's Cave, situated on Scenic Hill on the outskirts of the town of Griffith, New South Wales, Australia, is in fact a complex of stone structures covering an area of 16 hectares....
. Nericon Swamp, part of the Griffith Wetlands Important Bird Area
Griffith Wetlands Important Bird Area
The Griffith Wetlands Important Bird Area is a group of wetlands lying close to the Riverina town of Griffith in southern New South Wales, Australia. It lies within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.-Description:...
, is an important site for migratory birds. Nearby Cocoparra National Park
Cocoparra National Park
Cocoparra is a national park in New South Wales , 457 km west of Sydney.Cocoparra National Park is located 25 kilometres northwest of Griffith, in the Riverina region of south western New South Wales...
offers walking trails and there are opportunities to explore along the Murrumbidgee River
Murrumbidgee River
The Murrumbidgee River is a major river in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory . A major tributary of the Murray River, the Murrumbidgee flows in a west-northwesterly direction from the foot of Peppercorn Hill in the Fiery Range of the Snowy Mountains,...
and Lake Wyangan
Lake Wyangan
Lake Wyangan is a recreational lake located immediately to the northwest of the town of Griffith in New South Wales, Australia. The lake was formed in 1950 and is surrounded by many orchards. It was formed with the remnants of a gypsum mine and also there was a natural swamp at the location as...
.
Notable people
- Evonne GoolagongEvonne GoolagongEvonne Fay Goolagong Cawley, AO, MBE is a former World No. 1 Australian female tennis player. She was one of the world's leading players in the 1970s and early 1980s, when she won 14 Grand Slam titles: seven in singles , six in women's doubles, and one in mixed doubles.-Early life:Goolagong is the...
, former World No. 1 Australian female tennis player. - Donald Mackay, anti-drugs campaigner.
- Phillip NoycePhillip NoycePhillip Noyce is an Australian film director.-Life and career:Noyce was born in Griffith, New South Wales, attended Barker College, Sydney, and began making short films at the age of 18, starting with Better to Reign in Hell, using his friends as the cast...
, director of the 2002 film Rabbit-Proof FenceRabbit-Proof Fence (film)Rabbit-Proof Fence is a 2002 Australian drama film directed by Phillip Noyce based on the book Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara...
and the 2010 American film Salt. - Robert TrimboleRobert TrimboleRobert Trimbole was an Australian businessman, drug baron and organised crime boss whose alleged involvement in the disappearance of anti-marijuana campaigner Donald Mackay and involvement in drug trafficking in the Griffith, New South Wales area, led to a royal commission, a Coroner's inquest and...
, Italian-Australian drug baron, organised crime boss and businessman. - Valerio RicettiValerio RicettiValerio Ricetti was an Italian-Australian hermit who lived mainly in a cave in the Griffith area for a period of 23 years. Working only at night and in the early morning hours so that he would not be seen, he turned the cave into his own private "utopia" complete with kitchen, chapel, landscaping,...