A 4-day itinerary driving the Riverina’s Canola Trail

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 with care to not 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 the canola fields are working farms and private property, so exploring them may be trespassing or damaging crops.   

Morning 

Make your first stop at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre, where the knowledgeable staff can advise you on the best routes to take during a self-drive tour of the region's stunning canola farms. 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.  

Experience 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. 

Canola season, Cowra - Credit: Cowra Tourism Corporation

Afternoon  

For a bird's-eye view, join one of Fly Oz’s 30-, 60- or 90-minute Scenic Canola Flights that provide magnificent views of Cowra's golden fields. Afterwards you’ll find a number of delicious 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 fields, 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, book a table at the award-winning Elliotz Restaurant, recently named the 2025 Australian Good Food Guide's readers’ choice winner for their fusion-style menu.

The Cranfield, Hilltops - Credit: The Cranfield

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 

Fuel up for today’s drive 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 Freeman Vineyards, along the route to the twin towns of Harden Murrumburrah. This boutique winery boasts two extremely rare northern Italian grape varieties: rondinella and corvina. The rest of the portfolio also nods to Italy. Visit the cellar door to sip a fiano or sangiovese.  

Freeman Vineyards, Kingsvale

Prepare for larger-than-life art when you arrive in Harden Murrumburrah. 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. 

Just down the street, sit down 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.  

Murrumburrah Silo Art, Harden - Credit: Hilltop Council

Afternoon 

It’s 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 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.  

Canola field, Young - Credit: Hilltop Council

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 Caravan Park.  

Country Carriage Bed and Breakfast - 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.   

Goldrush Ballooning - Credit: Paul Gibbs

When your feet are firmly on the ground, 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, perhaps, 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 Way, 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). 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 bush tomato. Pick up a wine and cheese hamper for later or stay for a meal and a brew; the coffee bar is run by The Coffee Pedaler, a barista who also delivers coffees and meals by bike in the Gundagai region. 

Canola Trail, Coolamon

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.   

Credit: Thirsty Crow Brewery

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 home to 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, Mr. Lawrence brews Toby’s Estate coffee and serves it next to an innovative cafe menu mixing classics with Korean fried chicken, 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. If you still have space in your Esky, pick up regional wines and tasty produce at Jugiong Wine Cellar, as a tasty reminder of your four days exploring the Canola Trail.  

The Sir George, Jugiong - Credit: The Sir George