Valleys & Vines

Get stuck straight into the sweetness of country life with a visit to Bidgee Strawberries and Cream, where you can pick your own chemical-free berries, get clued up on an educational picking tour, and indulge in various strawberry-flavoured treats such as ice cream, sorbet and chocolate-coated strawberries. After this fruity stop, make your way to Borambola Wines where you can enjoy a winery tour, including beer and wine tastings and a delicious cheese platter.

An easy hour’s drive east, taking you past rolling countryside, you’ll find Nimbo Fork, a luxurious property located in the small town of Killimicat. A spot of fly fishing, horse or bike riding, or bush walking might tickle your fancy, or perhaps a massage is more your style. Either way, settle in because Nimbo Fork is your home for two nights, and also where you’ll dine this evening. The on-site restaurant is now the newest outpost of Three Blue Ducks, offering a memorable farm-to-table experience worth staying in for.

Start with a caffeine hit at Tumut’s Coffee Pedaler and then take a stroll around this charming town. The word Tumut is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘quiet resting place by the river’ and you’ll soon discover why on the Tumut River Walk. Be sure to stop by the Tumut Broom Factory to watch true craftsmanship in action. The only original factory of its kind in Australia, the facility has been manufacturing handmade millet brooms since 1946. Then it’s off to Pretty Parrot Distilling to sip gin and native fruit liqueurs in its stylish tasting room. Combine lunch with a brewery tour and tasting at Tumut River Brewing Co. and fit in a fly fishing lesson before your 30min drive to Batlow.

Don’t miss the photo opportunity with the big red apple, a nod to Batlow’s apple orchards, which have been the foundation of the city’s economy for more than a century. The theme continues with an afternoon hopping from apple orchard to cidery. Wilgro Orchards, home of Batlow Road Cider, offers both, while nearby Crafty Cider runs a cellar door on weekends or by appointment. Swing by Batlow Cider Co. to pick up takeaways before heading back to Nimbo Fork for the evening.

Tumbarumba is a cool climate wine region renowned for producing elegant and complex wines. Discover some of the region's beautiful wines at Courabyra Wines, and award-winning vineyard producing delicious cool climate wines — pinot and sparkling in particular. Join a private tour or tasting, then stay for lunch at the impressive winery restaurant, featuring seasonal local produce and matching wines to boot.

Watch in awe as the water gushes amid a picturesque landscape at Paddy’s River Falls and, before hitting the road, pop into Café Nest, with its book-lined shelves, for afternoon tea. Back in Wagga Wagga, check in to The Houston, a luxurious 10-suite boutique hotel in a peaceful setting just minutes from the city’s cafes and restaurants. From 4pm, head to family-owned and operated Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. for dinner. While you’re there, be sure to taste the brewery’s core craft beer collection.

On the way out of town, duck into Charles Sturt Wines, part of Australia's leading wine science school. The cellar door is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. In Coolamon, it’s all about artisanal delights at Coolamon Cheese. Enquire in advance about the cheesemaking workshops or simply load up on the good stuff, from cheddar to soft blue and plenty in between.

Off to Junee, just a 30min drive away, where lunch at The Millroom awaits. A visit to Junee wouldn’t be complete without a tour or chocolate-making session at the historic Licorice & Chocolate Factory – just try leaving without an edible souvenir or two. En route back to home base, indulge in award-winning wines and romantic country views at Cottontails Winery, and if you’d like a change of scenery overnight, Belisi Farmstay Cottage is a true gem. For dinner, The Roundabout Restaurant delivers innovative dishes full of flavour.

Get a sense of place on a Bundyi Cultural Tour. The Wiradjuri Culture & Winery Bus Tour is a day trip that takes guests on a deep dive into the rich Wiradjuri and Aboriginal heritage of the area. You’ll also stop for lunch and a private wine tasting at Courabyra Wines. The two-hour Aboriginal Walkabout Tour is an easy amble around central Wagga, visiting places of Wiradjuri significance, learning about culture, plants, animals, language, tool making and bush tucker.

Alternatively, sign up for a Food I Am cooking class, a culinary delight no matter the cuisine you opt for; French, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish – the list goes on. Whether you find yourself bedding down at The Houston or Belisi Farmstay Cottage, you’ll spend the night in style, and with an excess of memories worth reliving.