Bellingen Valley Lodge, BellingenCredit: Destination NSW
Relaxed coastal dining reigns on the New South Wales Coffs Coast.
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A number of recent openings and upgrades have reinvigorated the Coffs Coast’s culinary scene, known for its celebration of local produce and relaxed coastal dining vibe. Here’s where to sample some of foodie delights of this region, a six-hour drive (or 530km) north of Sydney.
Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli, Coffs Harbour
Always wanted to learn how to make your own ricotta, fetta or camembert? Now you can at The Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli, located at the Big Banana complex in Coffs Harbour, the region’s main hub. The workshop hosts several different classes each week (check the website for the upcoming schedule), and the attached gourmet cheese deli is open daily for all your cheese needs.
The Hilltop Store, Sawtell
A licenced café set inside a 1924 general store, The Hilltop Store was opened by top Sydney chefs Carla Jones (former co-owner and head chef at 4Fourteen) and her husband Richie Dolan (former head chef at Chiswick) in Sawtell, 15 minutes’ drive south of Coffs Harbour, in 2018. If you loved their refined but unfussy dishes championing local produce, consider making a dinner reservation at Hilltop at the Lodge. Located in Bellingen, 30 minutes’ drive southwest of Coffs Harbour, the culinary collaboration with The Lodge Bellingen, which opened in 2020, is now one of the region’s top tables.
Cedar Bar and Kitchen, Bellingen
Also in Bellingen, Cedar Bar and Kitchen is located in an old church with stained glass windows and 7m-high ceilings, making it an atmospheric spot to dine on share plates of local produce and considered wines. A range of craft brews are also on tap. For more, head to Bellingen Brewing Co. just 150m away on Church Street.
Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli, Coffs Harbour
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Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli, Coffs Harbour
Bellingen Brewery, Bellingen Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of the Bellingen Brewery.
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Bellingen Brewery, Bellingen Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of the Bellingen Brewery.
Nyanggan Gapi
While enjoying the superb rainforest and coastal views from Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) in Orara East State Forest, just 15 minutes’ drive northwest from the Big Banana, look out for the Nyanggan Gapi container café. Run by the not-for-profit Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, the café incorporates native ingredients into its menu of tasty treats such as its Davidson plum, lemon myrtle and white chocolate muffins. There’s also a Nyanggan Gapi coffee cart in Bray Street, Coffs Harbour.
The Kiosk Sawtell Beach, Sawtell
A recent facelift has breathed new life into the café at Sawtell’s surf club. Now known as The Kiosk Sawtell Beach, its sweeping ocean views now complement a menu of acai bowls, homemade sourdough crumpets, burgers and Will & Co coffee. The space is dog-and kid-friendly, with groups spilling out onto the surrounding grass on sunny days.
Sealy Lookout, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Sealy Lookout. Perched on a ridge just above Coffs Harbour at an elevation of 310 metres, Sealy Lookout provides an expansive view over the city and south along the coastline to Sawtell.
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Sealy Lookout, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Sealy Lookout. Perched on a ridge just above Coffs Harbour at an elevation of 310 metres, Sealy Lookout provides an expansive view over the city and south along the coastline to Sawtell.
Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset at Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast
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Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset at Sawtell rock pool at sunset, Coffs Coast
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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.