A small historic wheat town on the Mid-Western Highway, Grenfell was the birthplace of the celebrated bush poet, Henry Lawson.

Where is it?: Grenfell is 372 km west of Sydney, 213 km north west of Canberra, 53 km north west of Young on the Mid Western Highway.


Events: Each June long weekend the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts is held. It attracts Lawson lovers as well as poets, writers and singers to the town.

Grenfell goldfields were the richest gold mining fields in NSW during 1867-1871. The mountains are south of Grenfell were the hideaway for notorious bushrangers including the Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall gangs who plagued the stage coaches carrying gold to Sydeney and Melbourne.

Things To See and Do


Henry Lawson Memorial Obelisk stands at the site of the 4Emu Creek diggings where one of Australia's most loved bush poet was born on 17th June 1867. Many of the stories told in his verse were based on his and his familiy's experiences growing up here.

Unlike most Australian country towns Grenfell has a main street which bends and, in turn, George Street which runs behind the Main Street is also shaped like a gentle arc. Most of the town's interesting historic buildings are concentrated in these two streets and it is a journey into the past to wander up and down these two historic thoroughfares.

Surrounding area


Conimbla National Park (16 km) represents a rare surviving example of the Central Western Slopes' natural vegetation. It consists of open woodlands, low open forests and dry heaths inhabited by grey kangaroos, swamp wallaby, shrub birds and parrots. Activities include bushwalking, bird watching and picnicing.