Temora is all you would expect from a small country town in Australia - friendly people, crops spotting the district and of course the odd pub or two.

Located in the heart of country New South Wales, Temora is a sanctuary rich with heritage and just so happens to be my hometown.

As I'm currently completing an internship with Yahoo!Xtra in New Zealand I thought it only right to inject a bit of where I'm from into my very first overseas destination.
 
When I say that Temora is full of friendly people, I'm not just saying that. The town has actually been voted "the friendliest town in NSW" and it only takes a stroll down the main street to figure this out. Friendly smiles and hellos are never far away.

Temora's beginnings, like most towns in the region, stemmed from the days of the gold rush more than 120 years ago.

The peak of the gold rush was the discovery of what became known as the "Mother Shipton Nugget" with the smallest piece of the nugget being presented to Queen Victoria. A replica now sits in the town's Rural Museum, which is a popular place for visitors all year round.

What strikes me most about Temora is no matter where you go or how long you've been away for, the community always welcomes you back with open arms.

I've been away at university for almost three years now and have somehow managed to keep a job waiting for me each and every time I'm on holiday - see what I mean by friendly?

The Temora Shire has a population just shy of 8000 people, but stay a while and it will become highly likely you will learn most people's names!

Over the past few years Temora has not only established itself on a national stage but an international stage with its world class Aviation Museum.

Its line-up includes Australia's only two flying Spitfires and the oldest Tiger Moth still flying in the country.

A selection of the museum's aircraft is flown regularly during what has become known as 'fly-in weekends' and has played host to RAAF F-111s, FA 18 Hornets and the Roulettes Formation Aerobatic Team.

This thriving museum has played an important role during recent years, injecting much needed economic growth in times when the town was struggling with an ongoing drought.

It's not all museums and heritage however. Temora is also known for great nights out, with more than seven pubs, three clubs and award-winning restaurants. Visit any of these venues and you are almost certainly guaranteed the time of your life.

Of course one could not forget the magic of Lake Centenary, which comes alive each summer with water sport enthusiasts and provides that tranquil spot one searches for to escape the heat.

So whether it's the country experience you desire, the need to escape the rat race, or just a weekend escape, Temora will well and truly exceed your expectations.

What more could you expect from "the friendliest town in NSW"?

Find out about New South Wales.

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