BEYOND CANBERRA

Just outside Canberra’s centre, explore iconic Australian countryside, countless wineries and fine-food destinations

FOUR WINDS

VINEYARD $$$$

M–F 11am–4pm, Sa–Su 11am–5pm

Stop by the cellar door at Four Winds Vineyard for an award-winning glass of wine and a wood-fired pizza, which you can enjoy surrounded by verdant vineyards. The menu also includes several locally brewed beers. Only a 30-minute drive from Canberra, this inter-generational familyowned winery is heaven among the vines. Join the wine club for tipples delivered to your door.

9 Patemans Ln, Murrumbateman; fourwindsvineyard.com.au

GUNDOG ESTATE $$$$

Th–Su 10am–5pm

Visit the cellar door at Gundaroo to try wine that has been cultivated in local vineyards. Purchase a bottle of your favourite to take home, as well as a selection of locally sourced meats, olive oils, chocolates and other artisan products from the gourmet pantry.

42 Cork St, Gundaroo; gundogestate.com.au

LAKE GEORGE WINERY $$$$

Restaurant F–Su 11am–3pm; Cellar door Th–Su 11am–4pm

Lake George Winery is one of Canberra’s first wineries.

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At the cellar door, sample award-winning, cool-climate wines. If you arrive in time for lunch, head to the winery’s Westering restaurant, which offers a seasonal and rustic menu, wines available from the private cellar and large windows overlooking the vineyard.

Federal Hwy, Lake George; lakegeorgewinery.com.au

POACHERS PANTRY $$$$

Restaurant F–Su lunch from 11.45am, Sa–Su brunch 9.30am–11am; Cellar door and farm shop 9.30am–5pm daily; Picnic hampers daily

This triple threat includes a cellar door, a smokehouse and a restaurant. The Smokehouse Restaurant showcases the house-made cured and smoked meats in a modern Australian menu that can be enjoyed over a glass of wine produced in the on-site vineyard.

431 Nanima Rd, Springrange; poacherspantry.com.au

THYME TO TASTE $$$$

M–T & Th–F 7am–2.30pm, Sa 8.30am–2.30pm, Su 8.30am–12pm

A deli, café and wine bar in one, where visitors can purchase a curated selection of artisanal treats from local producers. The café courtyard is a perfect spot for enjoying some genuine, rustic country cooking in the sunshine. 60 Comur St, Yass; thymetotaste.com.au

TRAPPERS BAKERY $$$$

Daily 5.30am–6pm

This bakery is a local favourite, known for its traditional breads, pies, quiches, sausage rolls, fresh sandwiches and mouthwatering sweet pastries. It’s located right near the Big Merino, making it an ideal stopover point for lunch.

On sunny days, grab a spot on the outdoor terrace and enjoy your coffee and pastry with views of the town.

4 Sowerby St, Goulburn; trappersbakery.com.au

Shop

Capital Region Farmers Market

Stop by this fresh food market every Saturday morning to pick up the region’s best produce. Start with a coffee and wander through the stalls to choose fruit and vegetables, meat and seafood, baked goods and more.

Exhibition Park, Mitchell; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au

Explore

Bungonia National Park

Half an hour from the centre of Goulburn is Bungonia National Park, one of NSW’s oldest conservation reserves. Popular outdoor activities include rock climbing, canyoning, canoeing, abseiling,and bushwalking. Even stay for a few days at the campground.

838 Lookdown Rd, Bungonia; nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Braidwood Heritage Walk

This self-guided walk is the best way to experience Braidwood. It features 49 historic landmarks, so set aside a full day to explore at your leisure. A map can be picked up at the Braidwood Visitor Information Centre.

100 Wallace St, Braidwood

Mount Kosciuszko

Don’t miss a walk in the national park surrounding Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain at 2,228m above sea level. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Less than an hour’s drive from Canberra, located in the rugged Namadji National Park, is Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, an expanse of protected bushland where you can spot kangaroos, koalas, cockatoos and maybe even a platypus. There are more than 22 marked trails to explore, ranging from 15-minute walks to full-day hikes.

Tidbinbilla Reserve Rd, Paddys River; tidbinbilla.act.gov.au

Yass Railway Museum

Housed in the original station building, built in 1891, this railway museum displays original period steam engines alongside carriages and goods vans. The museum is open Sundays, including some public holidays, 10am–4pm.

8 Crago St, Yass; yassrailwaymuseum.asn.au

LERIDA ESTATE CELLAR DOOR & CAFÉ

Visit this thriving winery on the magnificent Cullerin Range and enjoy a tasting of the fine wines at the cellar door while you enjoy the amazing view of Lake George. The range includes award-winning Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and Pinot Noir. The cellar door and café are open seven days, 10am to 5pm, with a warm welcome, great coffee and fabulous food.

Federal Highway, Lake George (via Gurney VC Rest Area); wine@leridaestate.com; leridaestate.com.au

Experience

The Big Merino

This incredible concrete monument of a Merino sheep stretches three storeys high and 18 metres long, while weighing about 100 tonnes. It was built to celebrate Goulburn’s immense ongoing contribution to the fine-wool industry. Admission is free.

Cnr Hume and Sowerby sts, Goulburn; bigmerino.com.au

Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum

This historic steam pump facility is now a museum, offering a fascinating look back at the Goulburn region’s early water supply. When the museum isn’t open, take a walk along the trail that winds past the weir. Check the website for the latest ‘steaming dates’. Marsden Weir, off Fitzroy St, Goulburn; goulburnwaterworks.com.au

Wakefield Park Raceway

Adrenaline junkies will love this raceway, which is recognised as one of the most popular car and motorcycle tracks in NSW and the ACT. Check the website for events.

4770 Braidwood Rd, Tirrannaville; wakefieldpark.com.au