Tip: Before the journey starts, know that while you’ll want to stop at every bend in the road, it’s vital to pull over safely so you don’t put yourself (or others) in danger, and always be aware of your surroundings. Also, as tempting as it is to wander through the fields, remember that canola fields are working farms and private property, so entering them may be trespassing, damaging crops, or creating a biosecurity risk by spreading soil, seeds, pests or plant diseases between farms. For photo opportunities in the fields, join a local tour.

Morning

Make your first stop the Cowra Visitor Information Centre, where the knowledgeable staff can help you plan the best self-drive route to experience the region's stunning canola fields. The Visitor Centre also doubles as a local produce dealer, showcasing a variety of wines from the region, as well as a range of local pantry goods and crafts. Alternatively, pre-book a guided bus tour or enjoy a special long lunch among the blooms (season and availability permitting).

Experience the gold rush history and take a stroll through Cowra’s historic past on the Cowra Heritage Walk. Many buildings are open to the public. For family fun, explore the railway heritage museum and historic steam locomotives at the Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre, and check out the vistas from Bellevue Hill Reserve.

Family on a canola tour in Cowra - Credit: Cowra Tourism Corporation

Afternoon

For a bird's-eye view, join a 30-, 45-, 60- or 90-minute Scenic Canola Flight for magnificent views of Cowra's golden fields. Afterwards you’ll find some of the Riverina's best boutique wineries in the Cowra wine region or head to Bulla Creek Brewing for a cold beer poured on a fifth-generation family farm.

Canola Scenic Flight, Cowra - Credit: Cowra Tourism Corporation

Evening

Keep your eye out for canola fields as you drive to Young in the heart of the Hilltops region. If you didn’t pick up produce from your earlier stops, book in for dinner at The Cranfield, a beautiful restaurant set in an 1888 building, and a menu supplied by the orchards, vineyards and farms surrounding it. Alternatively, grab a table at the casual eatery DK Dream Kitchen Restaurant. The menu caters to all tastes with everything from authentic Thai dishes to fresh pastas.

The Cranfield, Young - Credit: Hilltops Council

There are plenty of farmstays and charming cottages in and around Young, including the beautifully renovated Old Brick Pub, occupying an 1874 building opposite the Lambing Flat gold diggings. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, two king beds and a fireplace where you can get cosy with a bottle of wine and the gourmet goodies you picked up earlier in Cowra. Towing a caravan? You can pull into Young Tourist Caravan Park, conveniently close to the CBD for food, shopping and essentials.

The Old Brick Pub, Young - Credit: Susan Hardy

Morning

Make an early start for day two of driving through the Riverina and fuel up with a coffee at Hussy Speciality Coffee & Kitchen and breakfast at much-loved Wilders Bakery – it’s been operating since 1950 and the signature attraction is its award-winning cherry pie.

From Young, set your GPS for the twin towns of Harden Murrumburrah and prepare for larger-than-life art when you arrive. The town’s 1865 flour mill has been transformed with eye-popping silo art murals by Melbourne-based Mongolian street artist Heesco Khosnaran, who captures the region’s history in his colourful works.

Murrumburrah Mill Silo Art, Harden - Credit: Hilltop Council

Just down the street, dine in for lunch at the Barnes Store Emporium and Cafe and take home their home-smoked olive oils, salts and more. Another place to pick up a local souvenir is Harden’s House of Honey, the storefront and factory of a family-owned beekeeping business in operation since 1976. Take away a jar, hunk of honeycomb, beeswax candles or handmade soaps. If you’re up for a detour, circle back to Freeman Vineyards. This boutique winery boasts two extremely rare northern Italian grape varieties: rondinella and corvina. The rest of the portfolio also nods to Italy. The cellar door is open by appointment only for tastings.

Freeman Vineyards, Kingsvale

Afternoon

Just a short drive through golden canola fields, you’ll get to Temora. History buffs can take a self-guided walking tour of the town, exploring colonial and Art Deco buildings. Simply pick up a map at the Visitor Information Centre to start exploring heritage sites. Afterwards, head to the Temora Aviation Museum where you can not only glimpse one of the finest national collections of historic aircraft but experience what it’s like to fly one with one of three full-motion warbird simulators.

Temora Aviation Museum, Temora - Credit: Gavin Conroy

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Copyright: Temora Aviation Museum

Evening

Temora’s heritage is brought to life in many of the town’s cottages-turned-accommodations. For something quirky, check in to the Country Carriage Bed and Breakfast where you get to sleep in actual train carriages that are fully kitted out with modern luxuries, outdoor baths, firepits and breakfast hampers. Caravaners and campers can check into Temora Motel and Caravan Park.

Country Carriage Bed and Breakfast, Quandary - Credit: Jeremy Kruckel & Rita Bromfield

Morning

Get an aerial view over the canola fields on a sunrise hot-air balloon ride. Goldrush Ballooning offers one-hour flights over golden fields that will take your breath away – and you can enjoy a glass of bubbles to celebrate after landing. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, step into a sea of gold on the Yellow Bloom Road Trail, which you'll find right at the entrance of Lake Centenary.

Goldrush Ballooning, Temora - Credit: Goldrush Ballooning

Make your way to Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory where you can sample a mind-boggling array of sweet treats, see how they are made, and then take home a chocolate pizza wheel or a giant freckle. There are also fun DIY kits and there’s an onsite cafe where you can order morning tea or something more substantial.

Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory, Junee

Afternoon

The drive from Junee to Coolamon is along the Canola Trail, so expect your view to have a bright yellow hue. When you arrive in Coolamon, amble along Cowabbie Street, admire the heritage buildings (some more than a century old) and browse boutiques like Lumela (featuring unique homewares and gifts) and Rustic Rose Gallery (that displays and sells quality handcrafted furniture, homewares and art).

Canola Trail, Temora

When it’s time for a snack, make your way to cosy cafe The Station Collective or Coolamon Cheese Co. an artisan fromagerie where you can sample the wares before picking up blocks of cheese infused with native ingredients like lemon myrtle, river mint and alpine pepper. Pick up a wine and cheese hamper for later or stay for a meal and a brew.

Coolamon Cheese Co., Coolamon - Credit: Anne Cooper Photography

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Copyright: Temora Shire Council

Evening

It's a 30-minute drive to Wagga Wagga, your base for the night. Check into The Houston, where every room is individually designed, or set up your caravan or campsite at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays for a poolside stay near the river. Then wander to Fitzmaurice Street, where laneway art can be found at the back of trendy cafes and eateries. Make yourself comfortable at Wagga Wagga’s own brewpub, Thirsty Crow Brewing Co or the local speakeasy-inspired whiskey and cocktail bar Olivette. 

Olivette, Wagga Wagga - Credit: Olivette

Morning 

A rather suave little space next to the Murrumbidgee River, Meccanico Espresso and Wine takes its culinary and design cues from Europe. Breakfast bites on the menu include marinated anchovies atop sourdough, or crumpets with mushrooms, truffle and Greek feta. 

Before departing town, stop at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, home to the National Art Glass Collection, a staggering space with more than 700 works reflecting developments in contemporary art glass practice from the 1960s to the present. If you need another caffeine hit or snack before the drive, pop into Mr. Lawrence. While sipping your brew, order from the innovative cafe menu which mixes classics with Vietnamese chicken salad, lamb burgers and rotis stacked (taco-style) with sticky pork.

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Wagga Wagga

Afternoon 

Break up your drive home with a stop in Jugiong to enjoy afternoon tea at Long Track Pantry (they make amazing sauces and jams you can take away) or The Sir George, occupying a grand 1852 building. 

The Sir George, Jugiong - Credit: The Sir George