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The perfect country getaway with frosty mornings, cosy fires and tasty food, the towns and villages of Central NSW will also be at their most vibrant this Winter.
Cosy up at Matt Moran’s newly opened Rockley Pub near Bathurst, cycle on the new Orange Villages Bike Trail, and indulge on Indigenous chocolate treats in historic Millthorpe.
From June to August there is so much on, plan your trip around an exciting line-up of cultural events including Frost and Fire in Forbes, the Bathurst Winter Festival, the Mayfield Garden Winter Festival and the Henry Lawson Festival, now in its 65th year.
Top Winter Must Do’s:
Enjoy a cosy country meal at Matt Moran’s iconic Rockley Pub which has reopened after extensive renovations. The National Trust Historic Village is home to over two dozen Insta-worthy heritage buildings, the new Rockley Artisan Markets (second Sunday monthly), beautiful parklands and artist studios. therockleypub.com.au
Taste Australia’s first Indigenous chocolate in Millthorpe from Chocolate on Purpose, their ‘Bush Food Chocolate’ and ‘Chocolicious Salamis’ are now available in the Dolce Sweets & Treats store in Millthorpe. Walk the beautiful heritage listed streets and pop into the new Dust and Sparkles www.millthorpevillage.com.au and www.chocolateonpurpose.com.au
Soak up the scenery on the new Orange Villages Bike Trail, a glorious 360km 6-day cycling journey around Mount Canobolas with food, vineyards, museums and accommodation along the way. Central West Tours also run a series of scenic fully supported and E-Bike tours in Orange, Cowra and Parkes. orange360.com.au/Things-to-do/Cycling and www.centralwesttours.com.au
Top Winter Events:
‘Frost and Fire’ in Forbes, Saturday 18 June 2022
Frost and Fire in Forbes celebrates the Winter Solstice under starry skies at Forbes Ski Dam. Expect all the elements of a country bonfire night with hearty food, fire buckets, boutique brews, live music, and Wiradjuri cultural performances. The event runs from 4-10pm and is a warmed up, chilled out vibe that is growing each year. www.amazingforbesnsw.com
‘Mayfield Winter Festival’, 26 June to 11 July 2022
Winter at Mayfield in Oberon is a unique opportunity to experience the garden with its bones fully exposed and an additional 49 hectares of private gardens are opened up. See the hardscape and experience the beautiful stonework and sculptures. There’s The English Box Hedge Maze, The Flying Fox, The 80-metre cascade and waterfall, The Walled Kitchen Garden, Mayfield Chapel, Croquet Court and Mayfield Amphitheatre. www.mayfieldgarden.com.au
‘Bathurst Winter Festival’, 2-17 July 2022
Celebrate the magic of winter at the annual Bathurst Winter Festival, ideally timed for the school holidays. There will be stunning light shows and illuminations throughout the historic city, boutique food events, carnival rides and live music. The Winter Playground is the heart of the action with an outdoor ice-skating ring, rides on a carousel and giant ferris wheel. Enjoy local food tastings, mulled wine and craft beers. Various free and ticketed events. www.bathurstwinterfestival.com.au
‘Henry Lawson Festival’, 10-13 June 2022
Now in its 65th year and returning to be bigger and better than ever Grenfell will host the popular Henry Lawson Festival from 10-13 June 2022. The four-day celebration of Australia’s most famous bush poet features vibrant street parties, market stalls, buskers and performers. The festival is renowned for introducing Lawson’s work to generations of fans and is a wonderful showcase of Grenfell’s rich heritage and culture, and the birthplace of Henry Lawson. www.henrylawsonfestival.com.au
‘Orange Winter Jazz Festival’, 10-12 June 2022
OBaby, it might cold outside but the line-up for the inaugural Orange Winter Jazz Festival (OWJF) is HOT, HOT, HOT. This 3-day festival will see a mix of internationally renowned and local artists featured in a series of close to 50 concerts at venues throughout the CBD. Headlining this year is Vince Jones, Mahlia Barnes, Emma Pask, The Catholics and the line-up is long and jazzed up. https://www.owjf.com.au/ticket-page/
‘Orange Winter Fire Festival’, 5-14 August 2022
Extended to a cracking 10-day event, the Orange Winter Fire Festival is based around the Australian ‘cracker night’ bonfire tradition, lit up by a series of fire-based and cultural events. The Speigeltent will come to Robertson Park with comedy, circus and cabaret served with cool climate cabernet wines. The festival opening Night Market is a firm favourite with fireworks and fire drums lining the beautiful heritage preserved streets of Millthorpe. www.orange360.com.au
‘Woodfired Eugowra’ on Saturday 6 August 2022
A day of camp oven cooking competitions for the best damper and cakes, food demonstrations, kids’ entertainment, live music, food and bar facilities. Keep warm around the fire pits and browse the market stalls. Held at the Eugowra Showground it is a great family day out and camping is available. www.visiteugowra.com.au
Central NSW begins two-hours drive from Sydney and offers a variety of accommodation from B&Bs and farm-stays to luxury hotels and glamping. The region includes Oberon, Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Lachlan, Cowra, Canowindra, Grenfell, Parkes and Forbes.
Go to www.visitcentralnsw.com.au