Travelling through the areas that surround the ACT will reveal a past rich with notorious outlaws, colonial explorers, and historical architecture. Here’s a few must-stop places on your journey.

“He heard at his side the rifles roar,
And he heard the bullets crash.
But he laughed as he lifted his pistol-hand,
And he fired at the rifle-flash.”

AN excerpt from Banjo Paterson’s dramatic poem “How Gilbert Died” recounts the police shootout that killed infamous bushranger Johnny “Flash” Gilbert in 1865 near Binalong.

Gilbert, who for a time served as Ben Hall’s right-hand man, unleashed a wave of crime on the Yass Valley throughout the 19th century and was  believed to have been involved in hundreds of armed hold-ups.

Today a mural in Pioneer Park depicts the shootout that killed Gilbert, as told by Paterson in his poem, while the bushranger’s grave lies off the Burley Griffin Way.

He’s just one of many bushrangers who famously stalked south-east NSW during the late 1800s.

From Bowning to Binalong to Yass, travelling through the areas that surround the ACT will reveal a past not only rich with the exploits of these notorious outlaws, but one filled with colonial explorers, century-old machinery, and historical architecture.

On your way through, there’s plenty of places to stop that will bring that history to life. In this special feature, “CityNews” discovers some of these spots, even a bar that the poet on the $10 bill himself enjoyed a drink at.

Proud produce store is steeped in history

VISITORS can step into 140 years of history at The Old Produce Store in Binalong, with its original shop front windows, double brick walls and welcoming environment.

Owned by bushwomen entrepreneurs Mikhara Ramsing and Dr Elise Stephenson, the shop tells the story of Flash Johnny Gilbert through the words of renowned Australian poet Banjo Paterson as depicted by Archibald Prize-winning Janet Dawson’s eight-metre mural on the shop’s exterior.

“We stock a variety of jams, marmalades, relishes and sauces,” says Mikhara.

“Made the old-fashioned way, all our produce is locally sourced from regional surrounds and slowly cooked down whilst stories are shared into our extensive range.

“Snatched straight from the wagon and into your swag, our Binalong Bushranger Blends are gourmet, Australian-made, and seriously delicious.

“Some of our best sellers include our fig jam; whiskey marmalade; tomato relish and not to forget our Blazing Hot Saddles hot sauce range. Boiling the billy whilst you’re at it? Check out our Miks Chai range of tea, too!

“All our products support regional Australian business, many women-led, and with a focus on a social enterprise model. Our Miks Chai range donates 50 per cent of its profits to rural suicide prevention.”

While the Old Produce Store was founded in 2018, Mikhara says the building itself first opened its doors in the 1880s to a wide dirt street as people passed through on horseback to stock up on goods.

“Over the decades, the shop has been home to many businesses including rural traders and more,” she says.

“Today, it is proudly run by two enterprising bushwomen who are committed to stocking quality Australian made produce within a 150 kilometre radius of Binalong.”

The Old Produce Store, 25 Fitzroy Street, Binalong. Visit binalongbushrangerblend.com.au

The bar Banjo himself drank at

THE Bowning Hotel has been open for more than a century, so old that famous Australian poets Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson enjoyed a drink there, says owner Chris Clarke.

Previously known as the Commercial Hotel, Chris describes the historic Bowning landmark as a “good old Aussie pub and more”

“The Bowning Hotel is situated 10 minutes from Yass and one hour from Canberra. It offers a warm, friendly and family orientated venue for functions,” he says.

“In 2011 the interior was extensively renovated to include a new dining room, kitchen, bar and all purpose room.”

Chris says that the restaurant is open Wednesday to Saturday nights.

“There are ATM and TAB facilities available. A courtesy bus will pick up from Yass and surrounding areas from Friday-Sunday and other nights on request,” he says.

The Bowning Hotel, 2 Leake Street, Bowning. Call 6227 6008 or bowninghotel.com.au

Wine bar with a local focus

YAZZBAR has been running for more than nine years, says owner Deb Hamilton, who took over as owner last year.

“I was managing it prior to owning it and it was getting busier and busier, and eventually it was getting too busy,” says Deb.

“I had a vision of expanding it and making the Yazzbar a destination – to make Yass a destination – for Canberrans or customers driving from Sydney to Melbourne.

Deb says Yazzbar has great tapas food and live music two or three nights a week. A lot of musicians come from Canberra and our wine menu is all cool-climate wines from Murrumbateman and Canberra.

“We do our wine menu seasonally and we have whisky tastings; we have two gin tastings coming up in spring and summer,” she says.

“The Irish and Celtic Music Festival is on in Yass and Yazzbar is showcasing it.

“The grand opening is on Thursday night, and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday we’ll have music from blues to Irish to Scottish from 11am through until late.”

Yazzbar also has a courtyard out the back, with two fires, lights and candles, “which creates a nice ambience”.

“The next important event is November 12, the Yass Wine Fest,” says Deb.

“That will showcase 18 local winemakers from Canberra and surrounds as well as distilleries, Tumut beers, and some from Tumbarumba.”

Yazzbar, 81-85 Comur Street, Yass. Call 0434 105119, or visit yazzbar.com.au

Friendly service surrounded by history

MARILYN Duffy says her and her husband’s family have been in business for 36 years, running the Motel Royal Tara.

“Our 20-unit motel, 50-seat restaurant and conference and function centre in Binalong offers friendly service and a reputation for fine dining,” she says.

“Some of the attractions for guests are a quaint historic village, quiet surroundings, walking trails and a weekend getaway, 18 hole sand green golf course, local swimming pool and two synthetic tennis courts for the more energetic.

And, Marilyn says, Johnny Gilbert is buried in Binalong.

“He rode with Ben Hall’s gang as they were very active in this area in the late 1800s,” she says.

“They would steal very fast racehorses for a horse stud here to stay ahead of the troopers, and when they had worn them out they would return them and steal some more.

“Johnny Gilbert was responsible for 630 robberies and was shot near Binalong in 1865 by the troopers and is buried here in a marked grave complete with a white picket fence in a cutaway just off the Burley Griffin Way.”

Motel Royal Tara, 27 Stephens Street, Binalong. Call 6227 4310, or visit motelroyaltara.com