18
ESCAPE
MAY, 2020//
Scenic spell on wheels mapped out
SENIORS
OLD-WORLD CHARM: Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Picture: SATC/Michael Waterhouse Local Roaming, Escape, Dilvin
Hit the road to help ravaged towns rebuild Vicki Fletcher AFTER the fires, floods and storms at the start of the year, Tourism Australia’s campaign to Holiday Here This Year had us all filling our calendars with good oldfashioned Aussie road trips. Now all those plans are on hold, we’ve unfolded the map and are instead busy marking tiny towns with the best bakeries and lookouts from which to watch the sunrise, and calculating the most scenic route from A to B. We’ve enlisted the help of our Flight Centre Australia travel experts, seeking tips about which areas affected by the fires and floods to visit... when we’re all free to travel again, of course. Remember to keep an eye on national initiatives like Roadtrip For Good, which has pulled together a host of places to eat, drink and visit in fire-affected areas. For now, stay home and stay safe. We’ll be travelling again soon. NSW SOUTH COAST All the regions that were hit by fires rely on the tourist trade and the South Coast of NSW is no different. It is flanked by the Great Dividing Range on one side and ocean on the other. The fires burned through a lot of bushland, including national parks and state forests, cutting many communities off for days. Now the roads are open again, there are many hidden towns and coves to explore on a trip south through the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla area. Ulladulla local and Flight Centre Ulladulla team leader Janice O’Neill is passionate about getting people back into the area. From Sydney
Just over three hours’ drive south, the hilltop town of Milton is a charming introduction to the picturesque region. Janice suggests stopping at Pilgrims, a delicious vegetarian cafe, and wholefoods store, or the Milton Farm Shop for local produce and specialties. There are also some great boutiques to check out, including Spaces 2538 and AKWA Surf. In Ulladulla, Janice suggests dining at Native Cafe overlooking the harbour, Rapt Bratz to pick up cool kidswear, Sol Sisters Artisan Collective for clothes, homewares and jewellery, plus Dwell 35 South and Coyote Boutique. Don’t miss Cupitt’s Estate, a winery-cum-brewery-cumfromagerie on the edge of town, which Janice recommends for a long lunch. In Burrill Lake, you can’t go past The Fish Shop for fish and chips, and Holiday Haven at Burrill Lake hosts live music by the lake each Saturday during summer. BATEMANS BAY TO EDEN Once you hit Batemans Bay you’re in the real heart of the South Coast. Nicole suggests stopping in for a spot of shopping at local boutiques Forever Fashion, Brooke’s Place, Sirens, Journey Style and Homewares, and many more. The Princes Highway south from Batemans Bay all the way to Eden winds through many quaint towns, making up a huge stretch of coastline that’s been affected by the fires. Worthwhile stops along this route include: Mogo, a tiny town with a main street lined with boutique stores and cafes, plus the award-winning
Mogo Zoo, which supports a range of endangered animal species. Bega, famous for its cheese brand, is another regional hub worth stopping at for the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre and the Bega Valley Regional Gallery, home to one of Australia’s richest portraiture awards. BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW From Sydney, head northwest through Richmond to the Bells Line of Road, which will take you on a loop of the Blue Mountains. While it’s possible to do some of these spots in a day, a long weekend will really allow you to make the most of the mountains’ beautiful towns and grand valleys. The first half of the journey takes you along one ridgeline through Bilpin, Mount Wilson and along to Lithgow. From Lithgow you loop back east along a more southern ridgeline. You can also take the train from Sydney all the way to Mount Victoria. Buses are currently replacing trains between Mount Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst due to fire damage on the tracks. Where to stop: Bilpin to Lithgow Bilpin is known for its orchards, and while there won’t be as much fruit to pick this year given the damage to trees, you can still feast on a famous apple pie from the Bilpin Fruit Bowl, drink cider from Hillbilly Cider or Bilpin Cider Co, and buy local products like apple cider vinegar at Wirraninna Ridge. Just past Bilpin you’ll find Blue Mountains Glow Worm Tours at Berambang. In Lithgow, dive into the region’s history at Esbank House and Museum and the Lithgow State Mine
Museum. For a dose of nature, head to Hassans Walls Lookout, the highest in the Blue Mountains, easily accessible just a few minutes’ drive from Lithgow. Where to stop: Lithgow to Leura The first stop is Mount Victoria, a historical centre in the mountains, with the historical society museum. In Blackheath, book in for a meal at the one-hatted Fumo, serving up modern Japanese. In Katoomba, you can’t miss the iconic Three Sisters, or a day at Scenic World exploring the beautiful bushland via the Scenic Railway, Skyway or Walkway. For bushwalking, head to Wentworth Falls, which escaped the blazes and where so many trails remain open. Always check local council and national park websites for the latest closures. GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA The vast Gippsland region, east of Melbourne, is a rich farming area home to dairies, wineries and hundreds of small producers – the kind of businesses that rely heavily on tourist traffic and local visitors. On a road trip from Melbourne you can head north to the Alpine High
Grand Ridge Rd, in the vast Gippsland area of Victoria. Picture: Josie Withers/Visit Victoria Local roaming, Escape, Dilvin Yasa
Country and Snowy River Country regions, or east to the Gippsland Lakes Region and the Coastal Wilderness Region. Things to do in Northern Victoria: Visit King Valley at Whitfield, home to a range of wineries and breweries such as La Cantina Winery, King River Brewery, Dal Zotto Wines and more. Stop off to pick up goods from local producers around Milawa, such as the Milawa Cheese Factory and Milawa Mustards, and head further north for the Tolpuddle Goat Cheese Farm in Tarrawingee. Head to Bright for country hospitality and a range of boutiques, breweries, coffee roasters and cafes, including Bright Brewery, Sixpence Coffee, and Gingerbaker. Beechworth, further north, is a quintessential
country town with gorgeous architecture, museums, mountain biking and bushwalking. Things to do in Eastern Victoria: Make your first stop in Paynesville, home to plenty of eateries such as Bullant Brewery and The Old Pub Paynesville. From here you can head to 90 Mile Beach or Raymond Island – home to the Koala Trail. The Lakes region is home to a network of lakes and lagoons, and to wildlife including lake dolphins and pelicans. The Mitchell River Silt Jetties are also a highlight, being the longest silt jetties in the world. ADELAIDE HILLS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA A stone’s throw from South Australia’s capital, the Adelaide Hills offer the perfect day or weekend trip SEGE01Z01MA - V1
