Day 1
The Grand Pacific Drive is one of Australia's most spectacular driving routes. Starting from The Royal National Park near Sydney, this route takes you through rainforests and seaside villages as you follow the exquisite coastline.
Discover the beautiful Kiama region and its famous blowhole, magnificent coastal walks, beautiful rainforest trails and pristine beaches. You’ll find many more wonderful attractions, such as sliding on giant water rides, soaring on Australia’s highest zip-line and playing golf at breathtaking locations.
Day 1
At the western edge of the Blue Mountains, Lithgow is a natural paradise for anyone who loves delicious food and the great outdoors. Browse the fresh farm produce and try inventive vegetarian cuisine at Secret Creek Café, in a beautiful and secluded 200 acre wildlife sanctuary.
17km north of Lithgow you can taste fresh goat cheese at the award winning Jannei Goat Dairy,Lisdale. This multi-award winning boutique cheese factory is known for its fresh and white mould goat's cheese.
The 118km drive west from Lithgow to Orange contains many treats, including Cobblestone Lane in Bathurst. Enjoy Modern Australian in the classic Webb and Co department store, built in 1863, served from the open plan kitchen. Among the fine restaurants in Orange are the distinguished Lolli Redini, Racine and Tonic. Tonic’s seasonal menu features local ingredients. Providores and grocers such as Cured and the Agrestic Grocer sell local delights, as well.
Some orchards and farms allow visitors and tours. Pick luscious berries at Huntley Berry Farm, browse the onsite shop at Hillside Orchards and tour Mandagery Venison Farm.
You’ll find a great range of fresh local produce at the monthly Orange Farmers Market. The region celebrates with tasty festivals and agricultural shows during the year. Popular festivals include Orange F.O.O.D Week in autumn and the Orange Wine Festival in spring.
Day 2
Drive through gorgeous scenery, olive groves and orchards and vineyards to Canowindra, on the banks of the beautiful Belubula River. There are vineyards to explore in this area as well, including Wallington Wines and Rosnay Organic Farm and Vineyard.
Cowra is a reached by a pleasant drive along Canowindra Road. With rich alluvial soils, the region produces abundant fresh produce. The Cowra wine region is celebrated for its premium grapes for award-winning wines. You’ll love the food and wine experiences, including tours, cellar doors, wine bars and the Cowra Wine Show Public Tasting held in the winter.
A great way to experience the heritage buildings in the town’s centre is on the self-guided Cowra Heritage Walk. Many of the buildings were constructed after gold fever swept the Cowra region in the 19th century. Cowra was also the site of Japanese prison camp during World War II. Cowra has since forged a remarkable friendship with Japan, and you can see many tributes to this special relationship around town.
Visit the Japanese and Australian War Cemeteries and Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre. The multi award-winning Cowra Japanese Garden is a 'must see' at any time of the year. Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival in Cowra, celebrates the arrival of spring with traditional Japanese cultural performances.
There are delicious dining options. Enjoy wonderful local produce in the cosy courtyard of The Quarry Restaurant. Visit Windowrie Estate, a family owned and operated vineyard that produces delicious traditional and non-traditional wines, and enjoy fresh local cuisine in the impressive Mill, a beautifully restored building on the estate.
You can also enjoy a cellar door experience with views over the Lachlan Valley and River at Kalari boutique vineyard.
Day 3
The drive from Cowra to Parkes is about 123km. Nicknamed The Dish, the CSIRO Parkes Observatory in Parkes helped broadcast the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing, when Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the Moon. Learn more about astronomy at the observatory’s visitor centre - and savour lunch in The Dish Cafe.
Continue 123km north from Parkes on the Newell Highway to Dubbo. The Great Western Plains is breathtaking in its wonder. This diverse region is between the Great Dividing Range and Outback NSW. At the heart of this beautiful region in the Macquarie Valley is Dubbo.
Dubbo is also an excellent base for adventure and home to the open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The award-winning sanctuary houses hundreds of animals from around the world. The Zoo features a new immersive visitor experience, Lion Pride Lands, consisting of 3.8 hectares of savannah habitat for eight African lions.
Enjoy paddock to plate experiences, farmer’s markets and cellar doors around this are. You can visit Tombstone Estate and Red Earth Estatefor free wine tasting, morning and afternoon tea, cheese platters with regional produce.
Taste table wines and fortified wines at the gorgeous Bell River Estate and discuss the winemaking process with viticulturalist. Match your meal with an extensive list of regional wines at the popular Grange Restaurant in Wellington, set at lovely Hermitage Hill.
Day 4
Travel along Dunedoo Road and the Golden Highway to discover beautiful 19th century heritage in Gulgong, a colonial goldmining town in the Mudgee wine region of NSW. Winemaking in the region dates back to the 1850s. The temperate climate allows for the slow ripening of grapes, producing wines of intensity, depth and flavour.
Some of the premium brands include Lowe Wines, Robert Stein Winery, Huntington Estate, Logan and Robert Oatley Vineyards. You can visit cellar doors directly or join tours. Another delectable experience is the Mudgee Wine and Food Festival in spring, the main celebration in a marvellous events calendar.
The drive from Gulgong to Mudgee takes you through wonderful countryside, rich with vineyards and World Heritage wilderness. Dining options in the region are casual and sophisticated, with moreish cafes, classic pubs and acclaimed restaurants.
Take a seat at a farmhouse table for a leisurely organic lunch or dinner, matched with local wine, at The Zin House. Mudgee Brewing Company is another constant favourite specialising in handcrafted beers. It also has a great restaurant for lunch, dinner or a quick snack.
If you're there on the third Sunday of the month, try a Mudgee Farm Walk through local working farms highlighting Mudgee's free-range, organic and home-grown produce.