DRIVING ESCAPES Follow the early settlers’ route to historic Wollombi

Follow the early settlers’ route to historic WOLLOMBI

WORDS JOANNE KARCZ

NEED TO ESCAPE THE NOISE AND RUSH OF MOTORWAY TRAFFIC? IF YOU’RE HEADING NORTH ON THE M1, EXIT AT CALGA AND FOLLOW TOURIST DRIVE 33. YOU’LL MEANDER ALONG A COUNTRY ROAD WITH ITS EVIDENCE OF CONVICT-BUILT WALLS AND CULVERTS, AND END UP AT THE HISTORIC VILLAGE OF WOLLOMBI. THE DRIVE TAKES YOU THROUGH NATIONAL PARKS, FOREST AND FARMLAND, AND REVEALS LOCAL SECRETS THAT PROVIDE THE INGREDIENTS FOR A PERFECT DAY OUT.

ROYALE ORCHIDS

Keep a lookout for Brieses Road about 8km from the M1 where our first stop is an orchid nursery. Signage for Royale Orchids is easy to miss. There are exotic and exquisite orchids — from the shy to the spectacular. When I visit, rows of strappy green leafed cymbidiums fill the greenhouse tunnels, their spikes promising a colourful display. Helpful staff happily advise and share their extensive knowledge.

royaleorchids.com.au

FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE

A delight of this day trip is stumbling across the few remaining roadside stalls along Peats Ridge Road. Selling the freshest seasonal produce, many rely on trust and honesty boxes. Sciberras Fresh, more a shop than a roadside stall, offers a broad range of fresh homegrown and locally sourced delights. (Sciberras Fresh is closed on Tues.)

sciberrasfresh.com.au

Next is the Mountain Growers Markets, where you can choose from a selection of local cheeses, sourdough and preserves. Relax with a coffee and toasted sandwich from the cafe, and take time to browse the range of old wares and collectibles. (The market is open from Fri-Sun between 8am and 2pm.)

1109 Peats Ridge Road, Peats Ridge

THE SPRINGS

A mere 300 metres further down the road on your left is The Springs, perfect if you fancy a round of golf on one of the Central Coast’s best courses, or a farm-to-plate lunch created by executive chef Dan Capper at its Sitting Duck Restaurant. (Lunch is available Fri-Sun; bookings required.)

PETER RUSH SCULPTURES

Continue along George Downes Drive and you’ll discover two Peter Rush sculptures made from local plant stems and Gymea lily leaves. They’re along the roadside near Jerry’s Café in Kulnura: a 3.5m-tall Laughing Owl and a towering Giraffe.

1154 George Downes Drive, Kulnura

THE CONVICT TRAIL

Never dull, the scenery alternates between vast stretches of bushland with scraggy eucalypts, and fertile fields with grazing cows. Look out for convict-built remnants of the Great North Road (built 1826-1836). The hand-carved stone works are easy to miss. Ramseys Leap is a 100-metre-long dry-stone wall north of the Bucketty intersection. Walk around Fernance’s Crossing Culvert and further on you’ll find Murray’s Run Culvert, which was built to prevent water flooding the roadway.

© JAN BOWMAKER © JOANNE KARCZ

RUSTIC LAGUNA VILLAGE

Russell, a huge rusty rhino sculpture, signals the approach to Laguna. Swing into the Great Northern Trading Post for a coffee and snack (open every day until 4pm, with dinner available on Fri and Sat nights). Its veranda is the ideal spot to enjoy a fairy wren trilling and flashing his bright blue plumage. While you’re there, browse the unique offerings at Laguna Luxe, stroll through Gallery 33 for pottery, art and jewellery, or stock up on local artisan produce at the Laguna Providore.

laguna. gntp.com.au.

HISTORIC WOLLOMBI

A few minutes further down the road is historic Wollombi, with its charming sandstone buildings, police cells and timber cottages. Visit the Wollombi Endeavour Museum (check website for opening times) housed in the old Court House, where you can pick up a map and stroll through history on the 1km Heritage Walk. Browse local Aboriginal artworks at the not-for-profit Little Yengo Gallery at the nearby Wollombi Cultural Centre. Or step through red barn doors into a corrugated iron shed that houses the Roadside Gallery (open Sat–Sun until 3.30pm). Owner Stephanie Vella offers a range of 3D works by local artists that suit most budgets. For lunch, relax on the veranda at Myrtle and Stone Café, where a cheeky blue faced honeyeater may just pop by to say hello (open daily for breakfast and lunch, for dinner on Thursday and Friday).

Russell the rhino at Laguna Village