New South Wales

Golden coastlines, unspoilt national parks and vibrant cities, towns and villages – Australia’s most populous state packs so much into its borders. And that’s before you even get stuck into the rich heritage and diverse cultural landscape. There’s an endless array of experiences, whether you’re looking for a short jaunt, a full day out or a multi-day tour. The only question is, where to begin?

SYDNEY & THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Sparkling waterways, golden beaches, astounding national parks – head any direction in Sydney and you’ll bump into something delightful. But it’s not just natural beauty that makes Sydney amazing. The city bursts at the seams with culture and heritage, and a huge selection of tours await where its many voices can be heard and its many tales can be told.

Spend a day on the harbour at Cockatoo Island

The former convict penal establishment and naval shipyard occupies a prized position on Sydney Harbour, just a 30-minute ferry ride from King Street Wharf or Circular Quay. Embark on a World War II Shipyard Tour to learn the important role Cockatoo Island’s docks played during the global conflict. Take the Convict Precinct Tour to discover the rough-and-tumble history of Cockatoo Island during the penal era. Or for a more general history of the island, try the Lower Island Tour, a 60-minute accessible sightseeing activity suitable for less mobile visitors (cockatooisland.gov.au).

Unlock history at museums and homesteads

Sydney is home to a rich selection of museums and historic buildings that are ideal for group tours. At the Museum of Sydney, the one-hour Convict Colony to Global City tour teaches you about the people and events that shaped the city as we know it. At NSW Parliament House, take the free daily tour and visit historic rooms including legislative chambers where laws are made.

Elsewhere, the Justice & Police Museum is dedicated to telling the story of policing, justice and crime in NSW. It has two great one-hour tours: the Murder Most Foul tour, which tells the tales of bushranger Captain Moonlite and ‘the Mad Dentist of World Square’ Henry Louis Bertrand in the very courtroom where their trials were held; and the Cops and Robbers Tour, which explores the old Water Police station and educates visitors on the infamous 1894 Bridge Street Affray.

Don’t fancy a trip into the CBD? Sydney’s suburbs also play host to some wonderful historic venues including Vaucluse House, Rouse Hill Estate, and Elizabeth Farm Rosehill (sydneylivingmuseums.com.au). Or visit Gledswood Homestead & Winery, a convict-built property established circa 1810 that hosts history tours and wine tastings (gledswood.com.au).

Embrace Sydney’s many waterways

From its harbour to its beaches and rivers, Sydney is made for a fun day afloat. Soak up those million-dollar harbour views in the sunshine while enjoying a Top Deck Lunch with Captain Cook Cruises, or take a Sunset Dinner for threecourse dining from 5pm onwards (captaincook.com.au).

For something a little different, book a lunch cruise aboard one of the majestic sailing ships of Sydney Tall Ships, like its 1922 Danish three-masted barquentine, the Southern Swan; or its 1939 Norwegian square rigger, the Coral Trekker (sydneytallships.com.au).

Away from the harbour, a cruise along any of Sydney’s rivers is certain to delight, from tranquil Hawkesbury

AT A GLANCE

1. History buffs and ghost seekers alike will love a tour of Cockatoo Island

2. Belongings and treasures on display at elegant Rouse Hill Museum (Credit: Destination NSW)

Cockatoo Island

02 8969 2100 cockatooisland.gov.au

Sydney Living Museums

→ Museum of Sydney → NSW Parliament House → Justice & Police Museum → Vaucluse House → Rouse Hill Estate → Elizabeth Farm Rosehill 02 8239 2211 sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

Captain Cook Cruises

02 9206 1111 captaincook.com.au

Sydney Tall Ships

02 8015 5571 sydneytallships.com.au

Gledswood Homestead & Winery

02 9606 5111 gledswood.com.au

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River in the north to breathtaking Georges River and Port Hacking in the south. Cronulla Ferries offers wonderful scenic cruises on Port Hacking, departing from Cronulla’s Tonkin Street Wharf (cronullaferries.com.au).

Go behind the scenes at Sydney’s newest stadium

Be one of the first to experience the new world-class Allianz Stadium’s 60-minute guided walking tour. Friendly guides take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of Australia’s newest and most exciting stadium, home to the Sydney Roosters, Sydney FC and the NSW Waratahs. Hear entertaining stories of players, spectators and past events as you experience exclusive areas and explore the stadium (scgtour.com.au).

Get an art fix in Katoomba

Katoomba is the heart of the Blue Mountains and one of Australia’s most popular destinations for tourists thanks to its location near the Three Sisters, Scenic World and spectacular Jamison Valley. But step away from the crowds at the valley’s edge and you’ll discover Katoomba is brimming with brilliant experiences – whether you’re a fan of heights or not.

The area has always attracted artists, and Blue Mountains City Art Gallery has thus become one of Australia’s leading regional art galleries exhibiting both local and national talent (bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au). Combine it with a visit to one or more of the many other creative spaces in town: Gallery One88 Fine Arts, Rex-Livingstone Art + Objects and Lost Bear Gallery are all lovely, or simply wander Beverly Place – aka Art Street – for edgy, larger-than-life street murals.

Keen to kick up your heels at the end of the day instead of taking the long drive back down the Great Western Highway? For an overnight stay, you can’t go past the oldworld charm of the 1930s-style Metropole Guest House (metropolekatoomba.com.au) or the timeless elegance of the Heritage Listed Carrington Hotel (thecarrington.com.au).

1. The whole family will delight in a visit to the Chocolate Factory Gosford, aka ‘The Sweetest Place on the Central Coast’ (Credit: Destination NSW)

2. Lost Bear Gallery, in Katoomba, has a wonderful selection of ceramics and glass art on display (Credit: Destination NSW)

3. Scenic World’s famous cableway takes you high over the Jamison Valley

CENTRAL COAST & HUNTER

Spanning from Sydney’s edge in the south to Barrington Tops in the north, the Central Coast and Hunter are a vibrant mix of beachside towns, hinterland villages and wineries, and ever-growing urban hubs like Newcastle, Gosford and Maitland. The region is also synonymous with Hunter Valley Wine Country, one of Australia’s best wine regions and a magnet for visitors from across the state and further afield.

Indulge your sweet tooth on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is well-known for its beautiful beaches and bushland setting, but when we’re done exploring the great outdoors we all deserve a break to sample some of a region’s sweeter delights – and there are plenty to find here. For handcrafted gourmet doughnuts, scrolls, cookies, brownies and more, hit up the Daily Dough Co, located at the Wyong Milk Factory and Terrigal Esplanade. Fancy an ice cream on a

AT A GLANCE

Cronulla Ferries

02 9523 2990 cronullaferries.com.au

SCG / Allianz Stadium Tours

02 9380 0377 scgtour.com.au

Blue Mountains City Art Gallery

02 4780 5410 bluemountainscultural centre.com.au

Gallery One88 Fine Arts

02 4782 1900 galleryone88finearts.com

Rex-Livingston Art + Objects

02 4782 9988 rex-livingston.com

Lost Bear Gallery

02 4782 1220 lostbeargallery.com.au

Metropole Katoomba

02 4782 5544 metropolekatoomba.com.au

Carrington Hotel

02 4782 1111 thecarrington.com.au

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warm summer’s day? If you’re at Terrigal Beach, stop in at Terrigal Ice Creamery, or head to Bar Botanica, Erina for Mr Goaty Gelato, voted by Gourmet Traveller the best gelato in NSW (mrgoatygelato.com.au).

For something a little different, take a memorable behindthe-scenes look at how chocolates and sweets are made when you book a guided confectionery production tour at The Chocolate Factory Gosford, home of Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolates and Sydney Marshmallow Co. Alternatively, try their “Create-a-Bar” experience where you can design your very own chocolate bar (chocolatefactorygosford.com.au).

Have a wildlife experience in the Hunter

The Hunter has a great selection of wildlife parks that are excellent for group outings. Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, located in Nulkaba north of Cessnock, is a compact and easy-to-walk zoo offering interactions with creatures ranging from lemurs to meerkats, marmosets, binturongs and more (huntervalleyzoo.com.au). Oakvale Wildlife Park, at Salt Ash in the Port Stephens area, is another popular choice for interactive experiences. Set on 25 acres of natural bushland, it has over 110 species of animals on display, and tractor-trailer rides available to carry guests around the park at a gentle pace (oakvalewildlife.com.au). Fancy an encounter with Australia’s cuddliest marsupial? Try Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, where you can connect with these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat (portstephenskoalasanctuary.com.au).

Light up your Christmas in the Hunter Valley

Whether it’s a street lined with colourful home displays or a dedicated show, nothing gets you in the spirit of the festive season quite like Christmas lights. Let your Club immerse itself in the popular Christmas-themed light display at the Hunter Valley Gardens, which hosts an annual Christmas Lights Spectacular. Wind your way through a magical world of light with some of the biggest and most interactive displays you’ll see (huntervalleygardens.com.au).

For a multi-day trip combining the experience with more of the Hunter region’s best sites, try Trade Travel’s 5-day 4-night Christmas Lights Spectacular. The tour includes local highlights like Brokenwood Cellar Door, Kurri Kurri Murals, Sketchley Cottage, Historic Morpeth Village and more before you settle in for a special evening at the Christmas Lights Spectacular with a sit-down Christmas dinner in Hunter Valley Gardens’ Terrace Restaurant (tradetravel.com.au).

Traverse Stockton Beach on camelback

Experience the thrill of riding atop a camel as you wander along the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere, the Stockton Beach Sand Dunes. These magnificent golden sands stretch for 32km from Stockton, just north of Newcastle, to Birubi Beach and Anna Bay in the heart of Port Stephens. Oakfield Ranch, located right on Birubi Beach, offers 20-minute daytime rides and 60-minute sunset rides on Fridays and Saturdays (oakfieldranch.com.au). Before or after you head there, pop in for lunch and a craft beer at Murray’s Brewery, whose vibey outdoor space and early-afternoon live music make it perfect for groups (murraysbrewingco.com.au).

1. Take a leisurely ride on camelback along Stockton Beach

2. Dusk is a great time to spot kangaroos in the Hunter Valley, whether at a wildlife park or simply around the peaceful rural landscape

AT A GLANCE

Mr Goaty Gelato

mrgoatygelato.com.au

Chocolate Factory Gosford

02 4322 2244 chocolatefactorygosford. com.au

Hunter Valley Wildlife Park

02 9622 1644 huntervalleyzoo.com.au

Oakvale Wildlife Park

02 4982 6222 oakvalewildlifepark.com.au

Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

02 4988 0800 portstephenskoala sanctuary.com.au

Hunter Valley Gardens

02 4998 4020 huntervalleygardens.com.au

Trade Travel 5-day 4-night Christmas Lights Spectacular tour

1800 034 439 tradetravel.com.au

Oakfield Ranch Camel Tours

0429 664 172 oakfieldranch.com.au

Murray’s Brewery

0481 249 438 murraysbrewingco.com.au

SOUTH COAST & ILLAWARRA

The South Coast and Illawarra region runs from the Victorian border in the south to the Royal National Park on Sydney’s edge, bordered by the Southern Tablelands escarpment to the east. Within this narrow corridor you’ll find a seemingly endless procession of beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns that thrive away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Marvel at the Sea Cliff Bridge and surrounds

Never visited the Sea Cliff Bridge? You’ve probably seen it in many car commercials. It’s one of the world’s most spectacular parallel-to-shore bridges, and it also happens to be walkable. If you can find a parking spot (spaces are limited, especially in high season) your group can hop out and check out one of Australia’s most impressive engineering feats.

But while the bridge is a highlight, there’s plenty more to love about Grand Pacific Drive between the Royal National Park and Wollongong. Go to Bald Hill Lookout for coastal views as hang gliders float majestically nearby. In Helensburgh, visit Symbio Wildlife Park, a family ownedand-operated zoo (symbiozoo.com.au), or venture into the abandoned Helensburgh railway tunnel, famous for its glowworm population (and said by locals to be haunted!). Finish up with a feed accompanied by mind-blowing ocean views by arranging your group a table at the Scarborough Hotel – but be sure to book ahead (thescarboroughhotel.com.au)!

Be blown away by Kiama

The name ‘Kiama’ is from the name ‘Kiaram-a’, meaning ‘where the sea makes a noise’ in the language of the local Wodi Wodi Indigenous people. It’s a reference to the iconic blowhole for which this delightful seaside town is most famous, and indeed, Blowhole Point is the best place to begin your Kiama exploration. Watch waves crash against rocks as you admire Kiama Lighthouse, Blowhole Point Rock Pool, and of course the spectacular Kiama Blowhole itself.

Elsewhere in town, stop at the Historic Terrace Houses, built for local quarry workers in 1886 but now housing a selection of dining, crafts, fashion and collectible stores that are ripe for exploration. Or to delve into the past, check out the Pilot’s Cottage Museum and learn about the region’s shipping, cedar industry and basalt quarry history; or the HARS Aviation Museum, just 15 minutes north of the town centre, which is dedicated to the history of Australian aviation (hars.org.au). HARS guided daily tours, conducted by hardcore enthusiasts and former industry workers, are particularly compelling.

Step back in time in Tilba

At the foot of beautiful Mount Gulaga, a forested ancient volcano rising 806 metres above sea level, the quaint twin villages of Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba make a wonderful day trip for Clubs visiting, or located on, the South Coast. Classified under the National Trust, Central Tilba provides a glimpse into 19th century Australia with its well-preserved weatherboard buildings along Bate Street, resplendent with antiques shops, craft stores and fresh country produce. Pop in to Eumun-Tea, a specialist tea shop with over 200 teas and an eclectic array of teapots, or wander up the street to the Tilba Teapot Café for delicious locally sourced bites. Watch cheesemakers at work at the ABC Cheese Factory, home of Tilba Real Dairy (tilbarealdairy.com). And for a big slice of history, stop by the Dromedary Hotel, built in 1895 as a coffee place but now one of the most charming country pubs in NSW (dromedaryhotel.com.au).

1. Onlookers marvel as the Kiama Blowhole surges powerfully towards the sky

2. Tilba’s eclectic selection of merchants are just part of the attraction in this appealing little South Coast town (Credit: Destination NSW)

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AT A GLANCE

Symbio Zoo

02 4294 1244 symbiozoo.com.au

Scarborough Hotel

02 4267 5444 scarboroughhotel.com.au

HARS Aviation Museum

02 4257 4333 hars.org.au

ABC Cheese Factory (Tilba Real Dairy)

02 4473 7387 tilbarealdairy.com.au

Dromedary Hotel

02 4473 7223 dromedaryhotel.com.au

The Sweetest Place on the Central Coast

The Chocolate Factory Gosford is home to Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolates and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. Since 2007 we have been manufacturing premium confectionery in our modern facility, right here on the Central Coast. Explore an immersive world of chocolate, nougat and marshmallow in our rustic retail store, open 7 days, which is fully stocked with a wide selection of treats to suit any taste.

Sit back and relax with us at our cafe, open Wednesday to Sunday, offering everything from hearty all-day brunches to delicate patisserie items. We have the perfect treats to indulge you in any season. Soak up the sun with your favourite fl avour of our specialty home-made ice cream, or cosy up with one of our signature Bon Bon drinking chocolates on those colder days.

You can learn fi rst-hand how we create our decadent confectionery on a guided Factory Tour available Wednesday to Friday. If you just have a quick stop in mind, keep a look out for the porthole windows in our retail store, which offer a sneak peek into where all the magic happens.

For our pint-sized chocolate connoisseurs, we offer fun-fi lled, and educational “Junior Chocolatier” workshops; available every Weekend* (additional classes during the week in School Holidays), where children can learn from our creative makers.

New at the The Chocolate Factory Gosford: Create-a-Bar. A unique, interactive chocolate experience where you can create your very own Chocolate Bar.

Choose what type of chocolate you love; Milk, Dark or Caramel, select your toppings from over 30 choices, design and place into our Factory mould and wait for it to set. Your creation is then packed into our Chocolate Factory box, you now have your very own delicious, decadent Chocolate Bar to enjoy!

We look forward to welcoming you to the “Sweetest Place on the Central Coast”. For more information on bookable experiences, group tour packages and lunch bookings, please check out The Factory Gosford on social media, visit our website or contact (02) 43223222.

* For school holiday availabilities of Tours and Junior Chocolatier Workshops please contact reception or check our website and Facebook for updates.

THE SWEETEST PLACE ON THE CENTRAL COAST

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SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS, TABLELANDS & SNOWY MONARO

Occupying the non-coastal areas of south-east NSW and stretching west to the Riverina, this proud region is perfect for day trips and weekend jaunts. Their unique location atop the Great Dividing Range gives the Southern Highlands and Tablelands that remote feel well within reach of urban areas, while the Snowy Monaro is a recreational hot spot that draws visitors from all over the country.

Connect with Aussie literary legend Miles Franklin in Goulburn

The year was 1901, and a 19-year-old woman from Goulburn poured her heart and soul into a novel whose modest original purpose was, quite simply, to amuse a few friends. Life changed for young Miles Franklin, however, when famous Australian poet Henry Lawson got wind of her book and showed it to his publishers in Edinburgh. The novel – My Brilliant Career – went on to become one of the greatest Australian novels ever written and even inspired a film starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill.

Goulburn featured heavily in the book, and Goulburn’s local Miles Franklin researcher, Jennifer Lamb, now holds brilliant two-hour tours that illuminate the connections between the author, the novel and this regional city. Your group can board a coach witnessing points of significance from the book, learning about the life of Franklin and connecting with life in Goulburn at the time of Federation. Find out more at the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre (goulburnaustralia.com.au).

Journey back in time at Berrima Courthouse

Almost half a century before Franklin was born, an equally famous Australian event took place just 45 minutes up the road in Berrima (though the trip may have taken longer than 45 minutes back then!). It was the 1943 court case of Lucretia Dunkley and Martin Beech, who were accused of the murder of Henry Dunkley, Lucretia’s husband. We won’t spoil the ending, but said court case is now brought back to life in the 21st century via ‘Treachery, Treason & Murder’, an audio and lightshow at Berrima Courthouse that’s always popular with Probians (berrimacourthouse.org.au).

Wander around the self-guided Heritage Walks of Cooma

For winter sports lovers it’s best known as the gateway to Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains, but the city of Cooma has plenty of its own highlights waiting to be revealed. On the Lambie Town Walk, your group can discover three Heritage areas recognised by the National Trust: the Court House precinct, built in the 1860s; Lambie Street, the original commercial centre of Cooma; and Church Hill, with its examples of 19th and 20th century religious and educational buildings. You can get all the details you need for these self-guided tours at the Cooma Visitor Centre (visitcooma.com.au/cooma-visitor-centre).

While in town, make sure you don’t miss the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre, where you can take a virtual flyover of the Snowy Mountains on a 14-metre-wide immersive theatre screen and delve deeper into the scheme’s past, present and future (snowyhydro.com.au).

AT A GLANCE

1. Learn about the proud history of the Snowy Hydro Scheme on a tour of the Discovery Centre

2. Four Greek-style Doric columns welcome you at the entrance to the Berrima Courthouse

Miles Franklin Tours (via Goulburn Visitor Information Centre)

02 4823 4531 goulburnaustralia.com.au

Berrima Courthouse

02 4877 1505 berrimacourthouse.org.au

Cooma Heritage Walks

1800 636 525 visitcooma.com.au/ cooma-visitor-centre

Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre

1800 623 776 snowyhydro.com.au

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NORTH COAST & NEW ENGLAND

The stunning NSW north coast spans from Forster-Tuncurry to the Queensland border, taking in popular coastal towns like Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Yamba. Further inland is the New England region, with highlights ranging from the mineral springs of Moree to the country music mecca that is Tamworth.

Feel the creative flow of Byron Bay

Byron Bay may be known for music festivals and surfers, but the creative juices that flow through the town’s residents mean there’s no end of wonderful art and culture experiences to be had too. At Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens, located in the Byron hinterland, you’ll find a magical sanctuary where members can visit ancient amethyst caves and stand between the “two tallest crystals on earth”, known as the Crystal Guardians (crystalcastle.com.au).

For art lovers, choose from the tranquil elegance of Byron Bay Gallery (byronbaygallery.com), the Indigenous artistic brilliance of Ninbella Gallery (ninbella.com), or the chilledout art-meets-wine-meets-music experience of Art and Wine Co (artandwinecobyronbay.com.au). And that’s really just scratching the surface. Thinking of visiting Byron Bay in October? See if you can time your visit with the Byron Bay International Film Festival, one of the top film festivals in the Southern Hemisphere (bbff.com.au).

Follow the Koala Trail of Port Macquarie

The award-winning Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is a Port Macquarie favourite, featuring over 80 one-metretall fibreglass koalas hand-painted with unique designs by local artists. The colourful marsupials are spread across Port Macquarie, from the city centre to the coastline and hinterland towns like Wauchope and Laurieton. In addition to providing super-fun photo opportunities while you see the sights of an Australian town with history dating back to the penal era, the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail also raises muchneeded awareness about the importance of protecting our koalas and our environment – particularly in the wake of the devastating 2019-20 bushfires (hellokoalas.com).

Discover the famous faces of Tenterfield

For a small country town, Tenterfield has been a lightning rod for fame over the centuries, with many famous names either born or spending time in the region. Legendary Australian singer-songwriter Peter Allen was born there, and visitors to the town love checking out the historic Tenterfield blue-granite saddlery made famous in his song “Tenterfield Saddler”.

Australian politician Sir Henry Parkes, aka The Father of Federation, delivered his famous ‘One People, One Destiny’ speech at Tenterfield; you can find out more about him and the history of Australian Federation at the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts (schoolofartstenterfield.com).

Iconic bush poet Banjo Paterson also lived here; not only was he a regular at the Tenterfield Saddler, but he also proposed to the love of his life, Alice Walker, at the Boonoo Boonoo Falls lookout, and their wedding reception was held at the Tenterfield Station Homestead.

1. Take a photo between the world’s tallest pair of amethyst geodes at Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens

2. Delve into Australian history with a heavy focus on Federation at Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts, Tenterfield (Credit: Destination NSW)

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AT A GLANCE

Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens

02 6684 3111 crystalcastle.com.au

Byron Bay Gallery

0414 749 278 byronbaygallery.com

Ninbella Gallery

0429 357 274 ninbella.com

Byron Bay International Film Festival

bbff.com.au

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

0416 641 482 hellokoalas.com

Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts

02 6736 6100 schoolofartstenterfield.com

THE RIVERINA

An agricultural hub built outwards from the fertile grounds of the Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers, the Riverina is a vibrant country region overflowing with natural beauty, outdoor experiences and cultural heritage – not to mention the opportunity to access wonderful locally grown produce right at the source.

Go on Zoo-fari at Darlington Point

Conceived and managed by the Griffith-based Altin family, Altina Wildlife Park is an open-air zoo where visitors can take tours on horse-drawn or motorised carts to see over 40 species of animals. Altina’s guides bring visitors on a 2.5hour tour around the park to meet the zoo’s residents during feed times, ensuring you get to see as many animals up close and personal as possible. For an even closer experience, try one of Altina’s Behind the Scenes Encounters, 30-minute tours where you have the opportunity to feed either rhinos, lions, monkeys, meerkats, giraffes or a selection of other creatures (altinawildlife.com).

Learn about modern agriculture in Australia’s food basket

An incredibly productive and diverse agricultural region, the Riverina is sometimes referred to as the “food basket of Australia” – which is why Club members may be fascinated by a specialised agricultural tour of the region. Agricultural Tours Riverina offers a selection of itineraries around towns like Leeton and Griffith, including a three-day Farming in the Riverina tour, a 1-2-day Organic Agriculture tour, a one-day Rice Farming tour, and a range of Wine Appreciation tours. Learn about modern approaches and attitudes to farming and the environment, and discover what these enterprises mean to rural communities (agriculturaltoursriverina.com.au).

Visit the birthplace of Bradman

Sir Donald Bradman grew up in Bowral and spent much of his life in Adelaide, but he was born on 27 August 1908 in the Riverina town of Cootamundra – and the house where he was birthed is now a museum dedicated to the greatest batsman the world has ever known. Granny Scholz, the midwife who delivered the Australian cricketing legend, operated a small private hospital in the front room of 89 Adams Street, Cootamundra in the early 1900s; following a refurbishment in 1992 the address is now home to all things Bradman, with memorabilia depicting the life and exploits of The Don. The house next door, Memorabilia Cottage, also contains a nostalgic collection of bric-a-brac from Australia’s past. Chat with knowledgeable volunteers for whom the life of Bradman is a labour of love, and then head in to Cootamundra itself for a meal – it’s an attractive and friendly country town with a great selection of pubs, bakeries, cafes and restaurants.

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1. 89 Adams Street, Cootamundra – the birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman and now a museum dedicated to his life and achievements (Credit: Destination NSW)

2. See red pandas and many other creatures up close at Darlington Point’s popular Altina Wildlife Park (Credit: Destination NSW)

3. Learn about various agricultural industries on a tour with Agricultural Tours Riverina, including aquafarming

AT A GLANCE

Altina Wildlife Park

0412 060 342 altinawildlife.com

Sir Donald Bradman Birthplace Museum

02 6940 2160

Agricultural Tours Riverina

0419 407 804 agriculturaltoursriverina. com.au

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CENTRAL WEST, ORANA & FAR WEST

These sometimes-overlapping regions broadly include most of the state west of the dividing range, including regional centres like Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, Parkes; north to the Queensland border passing through Dubbo, Cobar, Bourke and Coonabarabran; and all the way to the South Australian border via Broken Hill. But these towns are so much more than stops on a long drive – as anyone who ventures inland is bound to discover.

Explore Orange and its satellite villages

A thriving area blending rich heritage with award-winning food experiences, Orange is an often-underestimated NSW regional centre that rarely fails to impress. The town of Orange itself is home to wineries, parks, markets, galleries and more, but visits to its surrounding villages are equally rewarding.

Try Canowindra, aka the Hot Air Balloon Capital of Australia (balloonjoyflights.com.au). Head to Manildra, home of the Manildra Flour Mill – the largest mill of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – as well as Amusu Theatre, established in 1936 and the longest continually operating theatre in Australia (amusutheatre.com.au). At Millthorpe, journey back in time to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with cobbled streets and Heritage Listed bluestone buildings that now house boutique stores and restaurants.

You can get a taste of Orange – along with a whole lot more of NSW – on Vintage Rail Journeys’ Golden West Rail Tour, which takes in Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, the Hunter Valley, the Blue Mountains and more (vintagerailjourneys.com.au).

See what else Parkes has to Dish up

Parkes is best known for the Parkes Radio Telescope – aka “The Dish” – which helped broadcast images of the Apollo 11 Moon landing to the world and became the subject of a well-known Aussie film. But there’s so much more to this proud regional town. At Peak Hill, discover mining techniques both historic and new at the Peak Hill Gold Mine Experience. Continue north along the Newell Highway to Quentin Park Alpaca Farm for an up-close experience with some quirky South American mammals (quentinparkalpacas.com).

1. Canowindra is home of the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and best hot-air balloon events

2. Boutique and local produce stores characterise the town of Millthorpe, just 20 minutes from Orange

3. Enjoy the hospitality on board Vintage Rail Journeys’ 1960s ex-Southern Aurora sleeping train

AT A GLANCE

Balloon Joy Flights Canowindra

02 6344 1819 balloonjoyflights.com.au

Vintage Rail Journeys Golden West Rail Tour

1300 421 422 vintagerailjourneys.com.au

Amusu Theatre

0418 452 902 amusutheatre.com

Peak Hill Gold Mine

02 6862 6000

Quentin Park Alpaca Farm

0484 576 928 quentinparkalpacas.com

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Back in Parkes itself, learn about local Indigenous culture at the Wiradjuri Amphitheatre & Bushtucker Garden. Or for fans of music history, see why Parkes is considered the Australian home of Elvis Presley with a visit to The King’s Castle exhibit at Henry Parkes Centre, a collection of Elvis artefacts owned by Greg Page (aka the Yellow Wiggle!). Parkes holds an Elvis Festival in January each year that attracts fans of the King of Rock from across the country.

Be struck by the offbeat style of Lightning Ridge

The town referred to by locals as “The Ridge” is one of the only places in the world where you can find the rare and valuable black opal, and this on its own makes it a popular stop for visitors to outback NSW. However, Lightning Ridge is also an eccentric, welcoming country town for anyone seeking a unique and authentic travel experience.

Begin your opal odyssey at the Australian Opal Centre, which houses arguably the world’s best public collection of opals, rare opalised fossils and opal-related geological samples. Head there in August and you can even take part in Fossil Digs headed by a team of fossil experts (australianopalcentre.com.au).

For the quirkier side of the Ridge, change it up with a visit to Amigo’s Castle, a Heritage-listed castle handbuilt (on his own!) by Lighting Ridge resident Mr Stefanato, aka ‘Amigo’ (amigoscastle.com.au). Keen for a self-guided day out? Try the brilliantly conceived Lightning Ridge Car Door Tours. Residents have marked the town’s most popular sights by nailing wrecked car doors to the streetside, spraypainted with directions for tour-takers. There are five tours – Green, Yellow, Blue, Red, Orange – and you can buy the self-guide handouts for $1 from the Lightning Ridge or Walgett Visitor Information Centres.

Take a break at Broken Hill

In 2015, Broken Hill was officially named Australia’s first Heritage Listed city, and upon visiting it’s not hard to see why. Historic mines, astonishing outback landscapes and grand, character-filled old pubs – Broken Hill has so many stories to tell.

Highlights include Silverton Ghost Town, home to some 3,000 mining pioneers in the late 1800s and now a popular filming location; the awe-inspiring Living Desert & Sculpture Symposium, where you’ll find 12 sandstone sculptures that are perfect for photographers at sunset; and the sobering Line of Lode Miner’s Memorial, which recognises the lives lost in the town’s mining endeavours over the years. See all these sights and more on Silver City Tours’ 9-day, 8-night Broken Hill Wanderer Tour (silvercitytours.com.au). ■

1. A man shows off opal fragments at the Sheepyard Inn, Lightning Ridge (Credit: Destination NSW)

2. Residents of Lightning Ridge use car doors to direct visitors to many of their town’s most popular sights

3. Parkes is known as the Elvis capital of Australia, hosting an annual festival and also home to a dedicated Elvis museum

3 AT A GLANCE

Wiradjuri Amphitheatre & Bushtucker Garden

02 6862 6000 (Parkes Visitor Information Centre)

The King’s Castle Museum (Henry Parkes Centre)

02 6862 6000 (Parkes Visitor Information Centre)

Australian Opal Centre

02 6829 1667 australianopalcentre.com

Amigo’s Castle

0447 307 865 amigoscastle.com.au

Silver City Tours

08 8087 6956 silvercitytours.com.au