Things To Do
At Goat Rock there is plenty to do to keep everyone occupied. With 200 acres of bushland, granite boulders and enormous fig trees to explore and plenty of birds and wildlife, even the most basic nature lover will be content for hours on end. Goat Rock itself allows panoramic views of the Dumaresq River valley and is a beautiful spot to watch the sun come up or go down. Tours to other parts of the property can be arranged with several gorges and rock formations that are fascinating to see and explore. Sheep Shearing (Seasonal) - See a shearing shed in full operation, all aspects of sheep husbandry such as drenching, crutching, plus wool handling, classing and wool pressing. Out of season, shearing demonsatrations can be arranged.
Tag-along or Guided Tours - Tours to local award winning wineries, historic sites, natural attractions, Glenlyon Dam and local farming enterprises.If you need to get out for a while there is plenty to do and see in the Texas area. Texas has a population of approx. 1000 people and is worthwhile having a look around and meeting the locals well known for their friendliness and willingness to have a yarn.
The Dumaresq River at Texas is great for swimming and fishing with the local fishing club restocking the River. The Bonshaw and Cunningham Weirs are also great fishing spots. There is plenty of information on local attractions available from the Texas Visitors Information Centre located next to the Newsagents. When in need of a great coffee and a bite to eat pop in to Texas Treats opposite the Post Office for some friendly service.
Texas has a fantastic Cultural Centre and Art Gallery, in the main street, with regular Art Shows and displays by a great array of artists. Just up the street is the Local Craft Shop by Texas Cottage Industries which is an outlet for many talented local craftisians.
The Riverside Freezing Works is another unique attraction of the district with the building currently being developed into an interpretive centre by the Texas Visitor’s Association and aims to illustrate an important era of the district. The building was the site of one of the largest rabbit processing works of its time. It currently houses the CR Wilson collection of antique motors. Viewing is currently by appointment only.
There are a few remains of “Old Texas” where the original town was situated on the river until it was moved to its present site after the 1890 and 1920 floods.
Silverspur was a busy little town surrounding the silver/lead and silver/copper mine from 1893-1913. Now the remains stand as a reminder to a more prosperous time. However, across the road a new mine is currently underway in the search for more silver.
The Beacon Lookout is maintained by the Texas Visitors Association and provides a great spot to look out over the Dumaresq River valley.
Texas claims two local wineries as their own although they are over the border. Both are situarted on the Bruxner Highway on the way from Texas to Tenterfield. Reedy Creek Estate Wines is open daily from 9am-5pm and has scenic gardens, cafe, vineyard and historic cellar door. The Dumaresq Valley Vineyard has a BBQ area and a vineyard with wine tastings from 9am-5pm daily.
Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park is a great place to fish and have fun with the family. Facilities include a kiosk that sells bait, a boat ramp, a picnic area, toilets, petrol and boat hire. Permits are available on site.
Whyalla is a cattle feedlotting operation that is considered to be one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and has a capacity of over 50,000 head. The feedlot is located 20 minutes from town and is one of the major employers in the area.
