Heart of Country
Albury and Surrounds The iconic Murray River winds through Albury in a lush river valley.
Armidale and Surrounds Armidale is a city of culture and learning, with a wonderful heritage...
Balranald - The gateway to the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park...
Bathurst and Surrounds One of Australia’s oldest inland settlements, now a...
Canberra One of the world's greatest examples of urban planning and ...
Cowra and Surrounds Famous for its wineries and wartime history
Deniliquin and Surrounds The "ute capital of the world" is set on the Edward River
Dubbo and Surrounds Worth a visit for the wonderful Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.
Glen Innes, Inverell and Surrounds The area's Celtic origins are commemorated by the Australian Standing Stones.
Goulburn and Surrounds A colourful past that includes explorers, gold-diggers and bushrangers.
Griffith and Surrounds A blend of cuisine, culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Moree, Narrabri and Surrounds One of the country's richest agricultural areas, with natural hot springs.
Mudgee and Surrounds The area around Mudgee boasts about 50 wineries.
Orange and Surrounds A beautiful area with a growing reputation for its produce and cool-climate wines.
Parkes and Surrounds Home of the Parkes Observatory's radio telescope, where the film The Dish was made.
Queanbeyan and Surrounds Historic villages, colonial architecture, great food and wine.
Tamworth and Surrounds Best known for its annual country music festival in January.
Upper Hunter Endowed with rolling plains and rugged mountains, the Upper Hunter has a taste for the good life.
Wagga Wagga and Surrounds On the Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga has a thriving arts community.
Warrumbungle and Surrounds The ancient spires of Warrumbungle National Park bear witness to a history of volcanic eruptions.
Wentworth and Surrounds At the confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers, a launching pad...
Yass and Surrounds With its landscaped streets and restored heritage, Yass is a charming town.
Young and Surrounds Rich in history, Young is centrally located in the Hilltops wine and food region.
Food delights in the wine regions of Central NSW
Fast facts
- Fertile soils, river valleys and historic country towns in Central NSW
- Premium reds and high-altitude crisp white wines, fresh produce and creative chefs
- Bathurst is 203 km from Sydney; Mudgee, Orange and Cowra are just beyond
Why go there
The Orange and Mudgee districts produce some fine shiraz, cabernet and chardonnay, as well as lesser-known varietals, while the region’s food scene has changed from a footnote to a headline in Australian dining. Some of the country’s richest agricultural land combines with genuine hospitality, across a surprisingly diverse spectrum of venues.
Things to do
Tour the wine country of Mudgee, tasting great wine from Huntington Estate or Louee at Nullo Mountain near Rylstone.
Check out the charms of little towns, such as Rylstone, with surprises like authentic Lebanese food at Deeb’s Kitchen.
Take in farmers’ markets at Orange, Bathurst and Mudgee, and buy field-fresh produce while munching unbeatable bacon-and-egg rolls.
Slake your thirst at the scores of vibrant pubs in Bathurst and Orange, or seek out cosy locals in towns like Rylstone, Sofala, Cowra and Millthorpe.
Don’t miss
- Milk-fed veal wrapped in pancetta with brown sage butter and polenta – and everything else on Simonn Hawke’s winning menu at new Orange dining landmark Lolli Redini.
- First-hand looks at Bloodwood, Canobolas Smith, and Phillip Shaw’s Cumulus wineries around Orange.
- Orange region wines served with chorizo and haloumi, patatas with paprika and aioli and other tapas in a welcoming environment at the Belgravia at Union Bank wine bar in Orange.
- Asian taste explosions colliding with Slow Food-driven regional thinking at Cowra’s Neila with dishes like squab, salt-and-pepper squid and garlic chive buds or poached apricot with black-sesame praline ice cream.
- The drive to the tiny town of Millthorpe is half the fun. The other half is Tony Worland’s Mod Oz menu.
- Easy drinking Cowra wines from Windowrie Estate and The Mill and Cowra Estate wines at the Quarry Restaurant.
Events
- Food of Orange District, or F.O.O.D. week every autumn.
- In March at Bathurst, the lazy long lunch event, BRE&D on the Bridge.
- The September Wine Celebration in Mudgee.
- Cowra Food and Wine Weekend in November.
