Going on holiday doesn’t always mean going far. From relaxing farm homestays to colourful garden festivals, some trips are only a short drive away.

Arts and crafts at relaxing farm stay

After suffering a devastating loss in 2020 when the Black Summer bushfires tore through her Batlow property, leaving all but a shed in cinders, Brindabella Farm Stay Retreat owner Anne Hallard says she has returned better than ever, with more immersive experiences on offer. 

Reopening just before Christmas 2023, Anne says she had to start thinking about how to improve the experience and encourage local, rural tourism.

Dabbling in agri-tourism, Anne now offers arts and crafts workshops alongside her stays for those wishing to do something creative while relaxing. 

“Our retreats are designed for adults to have some peace and quiet,” she says. 

“The workshops offer visitors the chance to leave with something they’ve made.”

With an interest in supporting the local community wherever possible, Anne’s past workshops have included perfume making, custom lampshades, resin cheeseboards and Christmas wreaths. 

“We had the men from the Batlow Men’s Shed make 48 cheese boards for us, many of which used wood from the fires,” she says. 

“It was a great opportunity to increase the local economy and promote tourism.” 

With a big calendar year ahead of her, including chocolate making, printmaking, resin jewellery and alcohol ink workshops, Anne says she’s now on a roll.

“It’s busy, but it’s fun busy,” she says. “We are promoting fun within the region.

“People can come to the farm and relax without having to travel great lengths.”

In the future, Anne says they will be looking at moving into wellness by providing pilates and yoga as available activities. 

Brindabella Farm Stay Retreat, 4388 Batlow Road, Batlow NSW, call 0438 604 416 or visit brindabellafarmstayretreat.com.au

Annual garden festival returns to Crookwell

A scenic drive to Crookwell on November 1-2 will be a highlight for any keen road-tripper to see the Crookwell Garden Festival. 

Over the weekend, more than 800 visitors are expected to visit nine private gardens that will be open to the public. 

Festival secretary Catherine Harbourne says it’s the perfect time to take a trip out and enjoy everything Crookwell has to offer. 

“It’s such a lovely time in Crookwell,” she says. 

Open from 9.30am to 4.30pm both days, the gardens range from access to Markdale (an Edna Walling designed country garden), Binda Mill and Bindalea to local township gardens, all within a bus ride of each other.

After a few tumultuous years due to lockdowns and heavy rain, Catherine says the annual event has returned back bigger and better than before. 

“Tickets cover entry to the gardens over both days,” she says. 

“You can jam it all in one day or spread it out and enjoy all that Crookwell has to offer.”

A free Garden Lovers Market will be held at the Crookwell Public School, 9am-2pm on Saturday with an array of garden-themed plants, products and services from local stallholders.

Crookwell Garden Festival, 9.30am-4.30pm, November 1-2, tickets at crookwellgardenfestival.com

A zesty, fruity and sweet pitstop for road trips

For nearly 30 years, Lolly Swagman has been part of the complete Southern Highlands experience, says owner Ian Richardson. 

Located in the very heart of Berrima, the store stocks more than 1300 different treats, with something to appeal to everyone. 

“Right now we are heading towards tulip time as everything comes out of winter and starts to blossom,” he says. 

“People are looking for more springtime flavours in the zestier, fruitier and tangier lollies and are less interested in the warm and cozy treats they went for in winter.” 

Featuring their own Mrs Swag’s Fudge, alongside an eye-watering selection of chocolates, hard candy and lollies, Ian says they stock everything from American Reese’s, Hershey’s and candy corn, as well as English bon bons and chocolates, sours and super sours, Dutch liquorice and Scottish tablet.

“We’ve just restocked an old favourite, chocolate-covered orange peels,” he says. 

“We’ve also got an expanding range of Japanese lollies, which are always hugely popular.” 

Ian says the store is a common stop on people’s trip to Berrima.

“We love saying hello to Canberrans who pop by on their trips,” he says. 

“Berrima is such a lovely place to visit all year round and we love being part of your holiday.” 

Lolly Swagman, 11 Old Hume Highway, Berrima, call 4877 1137, or visit lollyswagman.com.au

‘Beautiful’ and ‘iconic’ Parkes

PARKES sits in the central part of NSW, only three hours drive from Canberra, and surrounds itself with beautiful landscapes and bushland, says visitor service lead for Parkes Shire Council, Lisa Moon.

“Home to the Parkes Radio Telescope, which is famous for being Australia’s key player in the Apollo moon landing and star of the movie, ‘The Dish’, it’s the perfect place to stay whilst exploring Central NSW,” she says.

“The Parkes region also offers historical adventures, agricultural experiences, and amazing events like the Parkes Elvis Festival and Trundle Abba Festival.

“If you love cycling, the Parkes region has some of the best gravel riding in NSW. Come and explore and soak up the country ambience by riding one of our 14 fully mapped, gravel cycling trails ranging from 20-120 kilometres.”

Geographically, Parkes sits in the middle of many other regions, including Orange, Forbes and Cowra, says Lisa.

“This makes us the perfect home base to explore Central NSW.”

Parkes Shire Council, Parkes. Call 6862 6000, or visit visitparkes.com.au

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