Beyond the Cafe

A trip to Lockhart promises visitors more than The Blue Bird.  Known as The Verandah Town, an active Progress Association, Shire Council and many community groups have contributed countless initiatives over the years dedicated to the beautification and well-being of the township.  Lockhart town and Lockhart Shire remain proudly independent from larger municipalities and although Wagga Wagga is only 60kms, the town of Lockhart has everything it needs to be strong and vibrant.  Here are some of the things you could discover on your trip to Lockhart.

The Doris Golder Gallery - Without spoiling the surprise, the intricately detailed and unique art of our lovely local octagenarian Doris, is something to behold.  Not many towns can claim to have someone as talented in creating woolen portraiture so Lockhart is fortunate.  Doris still lives just around the corner and is one of the regular customers brightening The Blue Bird's day.  After admiring her work at the museum, and if you are lucky, you might find her here having an ice cream with us.  Doris will happily tell you about her life and work and it makes quite a story.

The Spirit of the Land Festival and Sculptures - During the recent ten year drought some creative locals were inspired to offer depressed farmers something to take their mind off the devastation.  The National Farm Art Sculpture competition began and subsequently launched new careers for a few farmers who turned their versatile hands to sculpting.  A generous  annual sponsorship from the Lockhart Shire Council has ensured that most of the winning sculptures have stayed in town to become part of a farm art sculpture trail.  The Spirit of the Land Festival held on the second weekend of October each year, has become a major attraction.

The Pastoral Shadows of Brookong - On the outskirts of town, this gentle walk tells the story of the settlement of Lockhart.  It features silhouettes of swagmen, wagons, coaches, shepherds and other tableaux displaying rural life in old Australia.  Local artists and members of the Men's Shed have cut the silhouette sculptures out of iron and other scrap metals.

The Heritage Pavers - The Progress Association initiated this project as an indelible and charming way to record the names and dates of local families.  The names are etched on the paving stones forming a walk under the verandahs of the main street.  Ambling passed the shops on Green Street you can read the story of the people who built Lockhart a century ago, their descendants and many new families who now live in town.  A book expanding on these brick sketches can be purchased at the Greens Gunyah Museum.

Green Street - A number of interesting shops stand as neighbours to The Blue Bird on Green Street.  Heaven in Rags is a store that captures a distant era of clothing, haberdashery, millinery and shoes.  Ginge and Fluffs Second-hand Shop offers everything collectible from your childhood to good china.  The Lockhart Men's Shed sells handcrafted wooden furniture and toys made by the blokes in the shed.  The Brookong Nook Craft Shop is an outlet for local producers of jams, pickles and chutneys, free-range eggs and hand crafts.  The Red Cross Op-Shop is located in the building that started out as The Lockhart Hotel.  If you look closely at the stained glass window above its door you can see the remnants of one of its past lives as The Monterey Cafe.  And then of course The Blue Bird is more than just a cafe these days.  We operate a quality second-hand book shop within our business as well as a line of retro craft.  We have plans to expand our Blue Bird museum into one preserving the heritage of the Greek-Australian Cafes.

There is plenty more of Lockhart beyond the cafe.