Country towns to visit in NSW
1. Jugiong
Just over 200 people live in this tiny village that sits around halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, making it a longstanding popular road trip pit stop. Jugiong’s current calling card is that it’s fast becoming one of NSW’s top foodie destinations. Don’t go past Long Track Pantry, the town’s charming country cafe and providore – our tip is to take a shopping tote and pick up some of the local chutneys and preserves. Then there’s the local pub, The Sir George, dating back to 1852 and undergoing a slick revamp in 2015. Its long lunches are legendary, as is the luxury onsite accommodation in chic black barns. Round out your visit with some stylish boutique shopping.
2. Mudgee
Though it’s not as famous as nearby Orange, the Central West town of Mudgee is making big waves in the wine industry. Home to over 40 cellar doors, plus a brewery, distillery and some excellent restaurants, it’s easy to spend a weekend (or a week) tasting everything on offer. The town itself is pretty as a picture, with a charming main street lined with cafes, boutiques and classic country pubs. In nearby Gulgong, you’ll find the oldest still-operating opera house in the Southern Hemisphere, dating back to 1871 and still hosting regular performances.
3. Milton
An elegant escape on the South Coast, Milton offers the perfect blend of country and coast. With remnants of its 1860’s charm still coming through, the town is set amongst beautiful rolling hills and green fields dotted with dairy cows. Many historic public buildings, churches and 19th-century cottages are still standing, giving Milton the feel of a bygone era. Explore boutique art galleries, interesting antique shops and a buzzing food scene, then taste the latest vintage at Cupitt’s Estate winery. And when it’s time for a dip, the beautiful beaches of Mollymook and Ulladulla are just a few minutes drive away.
Cupitt's Winery, Ulladulla. Credit: Destination NSW
4. Corowa
Sitting right on the banks of the mighty Murray River, Corowa was once a thriving river port and gold rush boom town. Things are a little quieter today and now you can spend your time paddling or fishing on the river, cycling the extensive network of bike trails, and learning about the unique role Corowa played in Australian Federation. Don’t miss the Corowa Whisky & Chocolate factory, set inside a 1920s flour mill. Just across the river in Victoria is the Rutherglen wine region where around 20 wineries specialise in rich reds, unusual whites and sweet muscats.
5. Bellingen
In the 1970s, Bellingen was home to artists, hippies and the occasional nudist, all committed to creating an unconventional community in this tranquil hinterland pocket on the NSW North Coast. That spirit lives on today in the wholefoods cafes, sustainable stores and tiny galleries that line the historic main street, though they’ve all been given a stylish modern twist. It’s also a popular spot for festivals, highlighting live music, food, literature and alternative living. Meet the locals at the markets, swim in the river, camp in the rainforest or go in search of waterfalls.
6. White Cliffs
Visitors arriving in White Cliffs might think there’s not much to see in town, but that’s because most of it is beneath their feet. Sitting firmly in the outback, three hours northeast of Broken Hill, White Cliffs' temperatures often reach the mid-40s in summer, causing locals to set up underground to escape the blistering heat. The town was built on opal mining in the late 19th century and the surrounding landscape is still dotted with the moon-like craters of abandoned mines. You can discover a whole world operating beneath the surface, with clever cave homes and even a motel hidden from view.
7. Grafton
Time your visit to Grafton carefully – in October and November the town explodes into a riot of purple as more than 2000 jacaranda trees come into bloom. The streets of Grafton are lined with historic buildings, including Prentice House, which is home to the Grafton Regional Gallery, an impressive space containing the largest collection of artworks on the North Coast of NSW. Clarence River runs along the edge of town and is great for canoeing, kayaking and waterskiing, while more rugged outdoor adventures await in the nearby Nymboida National Park.
8. Griffith
Established as part of the vast Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in 1916, Griffith quickly became popular with Italian immigrants. Today, around 60 per cent of the town’s population can claim Italian heritage, making for a little slice of the Mediterranean in the NSW Riverina. There’s great food and wine, and a true sense of culture to be found here. Visit the vineyards of legendary label De Bortoli, enjoy regional fine dining at Limone and pick your own fresh produce at Catania Fruit Salad Farm. If you’re travelling in August, the Festa delle Salsicce (Festival of the Sausage) will be one you’ll never forget.
9. Armidale
At 1000m above sea level in the New England High Country, Armidale is Australia’s highest city. The altitude lends itself to an idyllic year-round climate with cool summer breezes and spectacular foliage in autumn. It also means superior cool-climate wines are produced here – visit the pretty cellar door of Petersons Guesthouse Winery to sample their semillon, riesling, pinot noir and shiraz. Armidale has a rich history and its elegant streets are lined with 19th-century buildings, but it’s also a thoroughly modern university town, making for lively pubs and good cafes.
10. Canowindra
Hot air ballooning is big business in Canowindra, and every morning at sunrise you can watch these huge, brightly coloured balloons floating gently over the landscape. Enthusiasts from around the world descend on this tiny village in the Central West each April for the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge. There’s also a fascinating bushranger history and 360-million-year-old fossils discovered just outside of town. Relax at one of the boutique wineries or pick up some local art, homewares and clothing at the much-loved Finns Store.
