Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard, SandigoCredit: Narrandera Tourism
You can pick nuts directly from Glendale Citrus & Hazelnut Orchard in Sandigo, near Wagga Wagga and Narrandera.
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Eating seasonal food close to where it’s produced reduces food miles, is better for the environment and supports local producers. You could argue it’s more delicious, too. Here are ways you can enjoy food straight from the source as you explore New South Wales.
Oysters
The waterways from Hastings River to Merimbula on the NSW South Coast comprise the ‘Oyster Coast’ and offer countless opportunities to eat some of the world’s best varieties. At Jim Wild's Oysters, in the Shoalhaven region, Sydney rock and Pacific oysters are shucked while you wait. Don’t miss the award-winning Sydney rock species at Tathra Oysters further south. These are grown in the pristine conditions of Nelson Lake and available to buy from the company’s shop in Tathra. For a memorable day out, join Captain Sponge's Magical Oyster Tour on Pambula Lake and learn about oyster farming. Save the date for the annual Narooma Oyster Festival in Narooma — it’s a huge celebration of the culinary delicacy.
Mushrooms
Autumn is prime mushroom-picking season in NSW — make the most of it by joining Finding Feasts on its mushroom tours. These events include a half day of picking saffron milk caps and slippery jack mushrooms in the pine forests of the Southern Highlands, a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney, followed by a cooking class.
Fish
Drop a line into the well-stocked lakes and dams of the Snowy Mountains region. From October until the June long weekend, you can also fish in most rivers and streams. Spring’s melting snow ensures the clear waterways are full of trout, Murray cod and golden perch. Join a beginners’ class at Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa to learn the basics of fly fishing. Monaro Fly Fishing in Greenlands and Fly Fishing Tumut in Tumut offer angling lessons, too. At Eucumbene Trout Farm, cast a line and then cook your own fresh trout on one of the barbecues at the farm.
Fruit and nuts
At Glendale Citrus & Hazelnut Orchard in Sandigo, near Narrandera, in the Riverina region of southwest NSW, you can hop aboard a vintage tractor-drawn carriage for an hour-long private tour — and grab oranges and crack open hazelnuts, too. Don’t forget to pick up home-made syrups, cordials and other citrus and nut products from Barbara's Special Treats Van.
At Pine Crest Orchard in Bilpin, in the Hawkesbury region northwest of Sydney, apples are available for picking from January to May, peaches from December to February and walnuts and chestnuts during autumn. Fill up on juicy mandarins from Watkins Orchard near Wisemans Ferry once May arrives, or get your citrus fix at Ford’s Farm near the Hawkesbury River.
Head to Young, the country’s “cherry capital” and a four-hour drive from Sydney, for the National Cherry Festival during summer. Here you can sample the fruit from one of many farms in the area (such as Hill-Lock Orchard).
Or pick your own punnets at Bidgee Strawberries and Cream, the Wagga Wagga property that’s home to 84,000 individual strawberry plants in the heart of the Riverina. Need a refreshment afterwards? Try the farm’s home-made strawberry sorbet.
Tathra Oysters, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Freshly opened Sydney Rock Oyster at Tathra Oysters.
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Tathra Oysters, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Freshly opened Sydney Rock Oyster at Tathra Oysters.
Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard Tours, Sandigo Credit: Destination NSW
Take a tour of Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard, Sandigo in the Riverina.
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Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard Tours, Sandigo Credit: Destination NSW
Take a tour of Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard, Sandigo in the Riverina.
Markets
Leaving the ingredient-harvesting to someone else and buy regional produce (such as Camilleri Berries) directly from the Foragers Market in the Illawarra region south of Sydney. It takes place in Bulli on every second Sunday of the month and each Friday in Wollongong.
Honey
The Urban Beehive can teach you how to source your own honey, so sign up for its beekeeping courses. The beginner class takes place in the company shop at Matraville, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, and covers the principles of backyard and rooftop beekeeping, how to light smokers, open beehives, handle bees and identify eggs, larvae, pollen and honey. The advanced level class is held in inner-city Woolloomooloo (with a practical component in The Urban Beehive’s apiary).
Edible weeds
There’s food underfoot and growing in surprising places around you. Find out more about these overlooked ingredients on a Wonderful Wild Weeds foraging tour at Sydney’s inner-city Centennial Parklands. Expert guide Diego Bonetto will teach you about dandelion, chickweed and the other ‘pests’ that grow in parks, reserves and gardens — and how they have nutritional, medicinal and salad-improving benefits.
Indigenous ingredients
Stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden by Sydney Harbour on the fringe of the city centre and you might notice the native mint, saltbush or fragrant lemon myrtle trees. To truly tap into the Aboriginal significance of the site, take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour to learn about the local Cadigal people, the Traditional Custodians of the area, as well as their resourceful use of native plants. The experience includes a chance to sample bush foods sourced directly from the garden, too.
Fly Fishing, Tumut Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoy the tranquil surrounds of the Snowy Valleys whilst Fly Fishing in Tumut.
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Fly Fishing, Tumut Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoy the tranquil surrounds of the Snowy Valleys whilst Fly Fishing in Tumut.
Centennial Parklands, Moore Park Credit: Destination NSW
Floral displays adorning the flower beds located in Centennial Parklands Column Garden.
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Centennial Parklands, Moore Park Credit: Destination NSW
Floral displays adorning the flower beds located in Centennial Parklands Column Garden.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, CorowaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa.
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Feast on the riches of one of Australia’s most important food bowls on a road trip through the Murray, named after the mighty river that flows through this southwest area of New South Wales. Float down the river on a historic paddlesteamer wine cruise, stop by farm gates to sample incredible fresh produce, and dine at chic restaurants and bars in this unique culinary playground.
Take the back roads for gourmet treats
Head off the beaten path along The Backroads Trail, a 250km driving route that passes through the small pastoral towns of Barham, Moama, Mathoura and Deniliquin on the upper reaches of the Murray River. Sink your teeth into fresh olives, avocados, free-range pork, honey and citrus fruit from farm gates along its loops and trails, and taste the region’s wines at vineyards such as Restdown Wines. While you’re at this winery, venture out along the Restdown Wetland Walk to encounter Aboriginal cooking hearths and an old sheep camp.
Cruise along to The Old School Winery & Meadery in Womboota to pick up wine, pottery and honey mead. Or seek out Ivy Joyce in Barham to indulge in a warm space, offering local produce from farms for a truly paddock to plate experience in the heart of Murray River country. For more snacks and meaty fare such as British-style pork pies and sausages, head to Pacdon Park’s factory shop in Moama.
You can work up an appetite as you build your own itinerary on the theme of food, paddocks and produce, and find suggested routes and maps to Murray River farm gates, at the Echuca Moama Visitor Centre.
Wine and dine along the river
Embark on a wine tour by water in Moama, where the first steamboats made their way up the Murray in 1853. Take a Murray River Paddlesteamers Wharf to Winery Cruise from the town to Morrisons Riverview Winery for a leisurely lunch. Or drive along the river, stopping in at Three Black Sheep for risotto and woodfired pizzas, and tasting crisp dry whites and full-flavoured reds at St Anne’s Vineyards, where you can nibble on a cheese platter overlooking a scenic lake.
Head east along the riverside roads to rest and recharge in the town of Tocumwal, known for its riverside beaches, golf courses, glider flying and iconic Big Murray Cod statue. Start the following day with a solid foundation of breakfast pizza (topped with bacon, eggs and a hash brown) at The Old Bank and indulge in a scoop of ice-cream or sorbet from Tocumwal Ice Creamery – flavours include rocky road, green apple or macadamia. If you’re in town on a Saturday, pick up honey, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, dressings and other condiments made by local producers at the Tocumwal Foreshore Markets.
Continue your odyssey along the river to Corowa, the birthplace of Australian Federation. Immerse in the town’s rich turn-of-the-20th-century colonial heritage as you make your way to the former 1920s flour mill housing Corowa Distilling Co. Here you can book a whisky tasting and behind-the-scenes tour and buy locally made chocolates and sweets from sister shop Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Work off an indulgent afternoon with a walk along the river before settling into the stylish Circa 1936 hotel, which is housed in an Art Deco former bank on the main street of Corowa.
Celebrate regional ingredients in Albury
From Corowa, follow the Riverina Highway eastward to the city of Albury, a food, wine and culture hub. Taste how seasonality and locality are expressed at The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned cafe offering brunch treats such as fruit toast with Beechworth honey and whipped ricotta, and banana waffles with Gundowring vanilla ice-cream. Or try the all-day breakfast offering at Mr Benedict, from cheesy bacon waffle with popcorn chicken to one of its signature eggs benedicts, including one with cider-braised ham hock.
At The River Deck restaurant, local ingredients are celebrated alongside stunning river views, and dishes may include chicken Caesar salad with Milawa eggs or beef brisket braised in coffee by Albury roaster The Brothers Cup. At tiny and elegant Bistro Selle, complement warm Gooramadda olives with a buttery Australian chardonnay and fresh market fish. Yardbird offers a bold-flavoured menu featuring dishes like scorched Albacore tuna, along with meats grilled in a Spanish woodfired oven.
In between meals, stroll along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and take in the contemporary artworks by Aboriginal artists that line the Wagirra Trail. Meander through the Murray Art Museum Albury’s contemporary photographic collection, Aboriginal art and works by renowned Australian artist Sir Russell Drysdale. Afterwards, order lunch or dinner at the museum’s excellent Canvas Eatery – try the saltbush lamb rump or one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
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The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
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Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.
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Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.