The Goulburn Brewery is a destination all to itself. Photo: Tenele Conway.
With autumn colours creeping across the region, there is no better way to experience the magic than getting out to our regional towns and bunkering down for a few days, and in our part of the world, we’re spoilt for choice. Here’s where you should head this autumn.
Stunning roast pork is on the menu at NỘI Vietnamese in Goulburn. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Goulburn
Goulburn has all the grandeur you’d expect from one of Australia’s oldest inland cities, but it delivers it without fuss – wide tree-lined streets, a pub on every corner and a sprawling park in the middle of it all.
Book a stay at Quest Goulburn for modern self-catering rooms just off the main drag and start your exploration by heading to the Goulburn Court House, a stunning example of Victorian Free Classical architecture with a central dome made of copper.
Auburn Street is lined with cafes and eateries. NỘI Vietnamese is not to be missed with its wagyu beef pho, and be sure to head to the Paragon Cafe, a traditional Greek diner that’s been in the same location for more than 80 years.
You’ll find a number of antique stores dotted around town, with one of the best, Steptry’s Old Wares, situated in the heart of town; it’s a treasure trove split across multiple floors that will keep you entertained for some time.
For late afternoon drinks grab a spot on the couch at the Tattersalls Hotel, and when dinnertime rolls around the Goulburn Brewery is serving exceptional meals in the beautifully restored mill on Bungonia Road.
The Jindabyne Brewery is a cosy spot for some locally brewed beers and a hearty dinner. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Jindabyne
Set on the edge of Lake Jindabyne, an autumn road trip to the Snowys means skipping the mayhem of the ski season and instead enjoying the peaceful surrounds and expansive views.
Check into the Banjo Paterson Inn, right on the lakefront, and you’ll be well placed to wander the village or stay close to home and check out the multiple bars and restaurants on-site. With stunning views from the balcony, it’s a convenient and atmospheric location.
Start your morning at Birchwood Cafe for strong coffee and a solid breakfast – think generous toasties, Middle Eastern breakfast pita and vegan bowls packed with beans and veg that won’t leave you hungry by 10 am.
For some family fun try the local escape room that will have you dressed up as Indiana Jones and then head to the Jindabyne brewery for locally brewed craft beer and a large menu of hearty meals, all inspired by the mountains.
Just a little ways out of town is the Wild Brumby Distillery that offers a well-priced gin tasting experience in a stunning national park setting.
Take the chance to stock up on locally cured and air-dried meats made with traditional European techniques at the Rockstock Deli and end your day in style at Bar Lula, a chic wine bar serving delightful tapas alongside local and imported wines and beers.
Experience the life of an oyster farmer in Pambula. Photo: Captain Sponges Magical Oyster Tours.
Pambula
The Far South Coast may not come to mind as an autumn destination, but without the summer crowds, it can be magical.
For the full coastal experience, grab a cabin at the Discovery Park located right on Pambula Beach, and seeing as there’s a chill in the air, why not treat yourself to a spa cabin so you can warm up after your day out and about.
Kick things off at the locally owned and operated Toast Cafe Pambula and fill yourself up with fritters, pancakes, or okonomiyaki and good coffee before heading out on an oyster tour on the Pambula River with Captain Sponge and Captain Scotty, who will have you shucking and eating oysters right on the water.
For further exploration just down the road you’ll find Eden with its killer whale museum, historic pubs, walking trails and lookouts.
To wrap up the day in style, book a table at Banksia Restaurant, a fine dining experience with a three-course set menu that’s been called ‘quintessential country dining’ by the Good Food Guide.
Tumut is famous for its autumn colours and sprawling historic pubs such as the Oriental Hotel. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Tumut
Tumut never ceases to surprise. Set in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, it’s big enough to have solid dining options but small enough to be walkable and relaxed.
Grab a room at the cheap and cheerful Harriet House, and you’ll be situated within a stone’s throw of cafes, restaurants and a multitude of country pubs with charm and history.
Start your mornings at the Whisk and Dish, where you can carb-load on a brekky brownie loaded with seasonal fruit, coconut yoghurt and maple syrup and grab a coffee for the road so you can explore the nearby Adelong Falls Gold Mine Ruin or take the falls walk, which is a two-and-a-half-hour return journey.
Head to the eclectically cool Tumut River Brewery for a hearty pizza lunch accompanied by a creative array of locally brewed beers; if you can restrain yourself from spending the whole afternoon there, head to the Tumut Broom Factory and discover a historic and quirky industry that’s been operating since 1946.
End the day with your choice of local country pub; this town is packed full of choices, and you can’t go wrong with the Oriental Hotel, an iconic and imposing corner pub from 1876 that serves up pub classics, Mexican-inspired dishes and, of course, the local Snowy Mountains trout.
Sally Paskins’ Store is a quirky antiques and ephemera shop in Gundaroo. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Sutton, Gundaroo and Dalton
These three tiny towns are easily experienced as a trio of road trip destinations. Base yourself at The Nest at Gundaroo for a stylish take on country charm and spend your days driving the countryside enjoying foggy mornings, scrubby bushland, and rolling farms.
Start your day at the Little Sutton Bakehouse with its wide range of pastries made on-site plus an all-day menu of more substantial meals featuring pancakes, burgers, salads and hearty egg dishes such as shakshouka.
Head back to Gundaroo for lunch at the Cork Street Cafe, where you can dive into a large pizza menu served in the heritage stables attached to the old police station. Fuelled up, you can roll into the afternoon with a coffee to-go from Neat Street Coffee and head to the quirky antiques store, Sally Paskins, located in a rare timber slab hut building from 1886.
For a true paddock-to-plate dining experience, Grazing, located in the former Royal Hotel building, offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere and seasonal menus that are inspired by Mother Nature.
Before you head home, swing by Dalton to take in the charming Royal Hotel dating to 1865 and check out the town’s well-preserved fossilised leaf deposit that dates back 21 million years.
Feeling inspired? Looks like all that’s left to do is pack the car and don’t forget to throw in a beanie, you never know what autumn might bring in this part of the world, and that’s half the fun.
