GUNDAGAI Gundagai was one of the first towns in NSW that was by-passed by ‘the freeway’. That said the ‘dog’ that is five miles from Gundagai remains a tourist attraction and still at the same spot (currently in a state of disrepair) Gundagai was made famous by the song, and is a place that is very much worthwhile for an extended visit. The Murrumbidgee flows through Gundagai and has at the time of various floods created much loss of life and distress. Some believe the name "Gundagai" derives from the word gundabandoo - bingee which is said to mean 'cut with a hand-axe behind the knee' based on gunda meaning 'sinews at the back of the knee' and bingee meaning cut with a tomahawk. Australian-born Hume and British immigrant Hovell were the first European explorers to visit what is now Gundagai when they passed through the region in 1824. Hovell recorded seeing trees already marked by steel "tommyhawks" Gundagai is one of those few towns that has retained its ‘greek café’ in its original format. This you have got to see. Past guest lists make for good reading, and also the crockery used for a John Curtin meal back in the early fifties. What a classic. The Catholic and Anglican Churches are century old great design buildings. The Hotels in Gundagai are NSW classic design. The Family Hotel has some nice features. The Centurian Hotel has murals depicting Captain Moonlight the bushranger. The Gundagai War Memorial is located at the eastern end of the main street. The Museum is also centrally located. Nice place this, so allow a day or two to enjoy.