Where to eat & drink in NSW’s New England region

Sip and savour at local wineries 

Grapes have been grown in New England since the 1800s and its rolling hills are home to the highest vineyards in Australia. The record holder is Black Mountain at 1,320 metres above sea level and many others sit at around 800-900 metres. This high-altitude, a cool climate and unique terra rosa soils come together to produce exceptional chardonnay, riesling, shiraz and emerging varieties. Start your sipping at Petersons Armidale where you can stroll through the vines, taste at the cellar door and enjoy lunch under the trees. 

Petersons Armidale Guesthouse and Winery, Armidale

Dine (and stay) in a piece of history 

Is there anything better than a great meal followed by a night in a plush hotel bed? The striking art deco Tattersalls Hotel in the centre of Armidale has a fine dining restaurant where the menu is packed with the best Australian produce. For something more relaxed, order a wood-fired pizza in the garden bar. Then head upstairs to one of the five-star rooms that has been beautifully restored to recapture the glamour of the hotel’s 1930s heyday. 

Tattersalls Restaurant and Pizza Garden, Armidale - Credit: Tattersalls Hotel

Just south of Tamworth, Goonoo Goonoo Station is a working cattle farm dating back to the 19th century. Today, gourmet meals are served in the spectacular Glasshouse restaurant, with ingredients sourced from the kitchen garden and surrounding region. The property’s original buildings have been transformed into stylish accommodation, ranging from the cosy Shearer’s Quarters to the luxurious Homestead, complete with a swimming pool. 

Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth

Shop for fresh produce and meet the makers  

New England produces some of Australia’s finest lamb and beef, as well as a wide variety of premium fruit and vegetables. Load up on fresh seasonal produce, local wine and gourmet treats at the Armidale Farmers Market, held on the second Sunday of every month. On the third Saturday of the month, visit the Walcha Farmers’ Market for produce, cheese, pastries, honey, plants and more. There’s also the High Country Markets in Uralla, the Tenterfield Farmers and Producers Market, and the Glen Innes Cottage Markets. 

Armidale Farmers' Market, Armidale 

Each year, the Seasons of New England Expo brings together the best winemakers, brewers, free range producers, organic growers and artisans. Held in March, more than 160 growers, makers and producers come together in Uralla in a huge celebration of New England’s bounty. 

Cast a line to catch your own

The dams, lakes and streams of the New England area are packed with fish,especially trout, golden perch and Murray cod. Many dams are frequently restocked from fish farms, so you’re almost guaranteed to catch something. At Deano’s Smoked Trout near Black Mountain, you can tour the farm and hatchery, throw a line in at the well-stocked dam, then set up camp for the night.

Lake Copeton, Copeton

Order a paddle at a craftbrewery

If you’re thirsty for a cold one, a handful of craft breweries have sprung up around New England over the past decade. The Welder’s Dog first opened in Armidale and now has outposts in Tamworth and Inverell. As well as classic IPAs and lagers, they also make ginger beer and an alcoholic lemonade flavoured with pea blossom flowers. Also in Armidale, Great Hops Brewing Co puts an Aussie spin on international brews and serves up an American-inspired menu of wings, slow-cooked brisket and waffle fries. 

The Welder's Dog, Armidale

In Uralla, the New England Brewing Co collaborates with local growers, producers and coffee roasters to create their signature beers. They also work with artists and illustrators to create the colourful labels on the cans. In the tiny village of Deepwater near Glen Innes, Deepwater Brewing has a relaxed, family- and dog-friendly space for tastings and tours, plus wood-fired pizzas on the weekend. 

Deepwater Brewing, Deepwater - Credit: Deepwater Brewing

Sample award-winning spirits  

More delicious drinks await at a New England distillery. Glen Gowrie Distillery on the outskirts of Glen Innes creates small batch gins and flavoured liqueurs. If you want to enjoy a few drinks at the cellar door, you can set up your tent at the campsite. At Dobson’s Distillery, you can sample their range of gin, spiced rum and aged whiskey at the Speakeasy bar, a moody, steampunk-inspired space that will take you back to a bygone era. 

Glen Gowrie Distillery, Glen Innes - Credit: Mike Terry | Glen Gowrie Distillery

Stock up on local supplies  

Plan a picnic or an indulgent dinner at your accommodation by picking up more tasty local treats. The Plains Pantry in Willow Tree, south of Quirindi, stocks gourmet groceries, fresh produce, cheese, deli meats, beef, and beer and wine from the surrounding Liverpool Plains. Visit Sunhill Dairy Goats to pick up cheese and skincare products (and meet the cute goats who provide the milk).  

Sunhill Dairy Goats, Uralla

There’s plenty of fresh fruit at The Super Strawberry in Glen Innes. Take a quick break and refuel with homemade scones, strawberry jam and cream while you’re there. At Greenhill Orchards in Arding, between Armidale and Uralla, the farmgate store is open during the season. Cherries and stone fruit are available in summer, and apples and pears in autumn. Wash it all down with some sparkling honeyed mead from 2 Wild Souls. 

2 Wild Souls Meadery, Torrington - Credit: 2 Wild Souls Meadery

Order a schooner at a country pub  

Grab a seat at the bar, chat to the locals and enjoy a beer at a classic country pub. These quintessential Aussie watering holes are a feature of every town and village in New England and many have been serving drinks for more than a century. The Commercial Boutique Hotel in Tenterfield dates back to the 1940s and has been beautifully restored. The Walcha Road Hotel first opened in 1860 and is most charming in winter, where you can sit by the open fire while snow falls outside.