EXPLORE
We are so privileged to have great friends who make some of the best produce in the region. Pop in and visit them while you are STAYING WITH US.
FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES
TUMUT RIVER BREWING CO
Harnessing fresh local ingredients, Tumut River Brewing Co makes award-winning, flavour-packed beers to suit all taste buds. From the honest Aussie Ale draught to the full-strength Ginger Beer, you’re bound to find a favourite.
With 24 taps, 18 of which rotate constantly, you’re sure to find the brew for you. Work your way through a tasting paddle and a pizza – you’ll be a local in no time.
Meet the Maker Tours available 11 am Saturday and Sunday. Book your Meet the Maker Tour via Highfield Farm & Woodland and receive a discount.
TRBC beers are available for purchase on arrival at Highfield.
Website: www.trbc.com.au
CRAFTY CIDER
There is cider, and there is cider. Tony makes great cider inspired by the traditional English drop – he even studied cider making in Gloucestershire! Full-bodied, tannin driven and light on the bubble. Their orchard of heritage English and French cider apples is tucked away in Kunama near Batlow and has a set amount towering eucalyptus trees – worth seeing in themselves.
Their little cellar door is located right next to their animal sanctuary. A perfect place to visit for cider aficionados, animal lovers and children. Visit by appointment – let us book it for you!
Crafty Cider’s produce is available for purchase on arrival at Highfield.
Website: www.craftycider.com.au
JOHANSEN WINES
Johansen Wines is a family-owned and run vineyard located at 790 meters above sea level and only 5 minutes from Tumbarumba.
Their philosophy is simple. Handpick select parcels of grapes grown in perfect cool climate terroir and partner them with good vineyard management and brilliant winemaking. Varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Their cellar door is located in an old converted shearing shed. Surround yourself with rustic charm as you delight your taste buds with wine from one of the most exciting and undiscovered wine regions in Australia.
Open for tastings and sales on weekends 11 am-4 pm, open other times by appointment. Call Tom on 0424 689 492 and say you are staying at Highfield.
Johansen Wines are available for purchase on arrival at Highfield.
Website: www.johansenwines.com.au
COURABYRA WINES
Courabyra sits in a small pocket 6km northwest of Tumbarumba, located at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. Tumbarumba is one of Australia’s premium cool climate wine regions, perfect for the production of high quality sparkling and table wines.
The Courabyra Restaurant features a magnificent menu is perfectly matches the wines and takes advantage of the seasonal local produce. The venue is one of the most picturesque locations in Australia for weddings and other special occasions.
During your visit to their Cellar Door, learn a little more about Tumbarumba and the cool climate wines of the region from our friendly staff in a relaxed home-style setting.
Courabyra is open Thursday through to Monday, 11 am-5 pm.
Courabyra Wines are available for purchase on arrival at Highfield.
Website: www.courabyrawines.com
HAPPY WOMBATS HAZELNUTS
You may have eaten hazelnuts before, but have you ever tasted them straight from the farm and freshly cracked? Happy Wombat Hazelnuts supply in-shell hazelnuts, freshly cracked whole kernels and hazelnut meal direct from the farm to Highfield.
Happy Wombats, near Batlow, is home to 2,800 hazelnut trees and other cool climate crops such as berries and figs. All produce is grown, harvested and handled on site, so you can be sure you’re getting a fresh and tasty result every time.
And yes, they have very happy wombats.
Happy Wombats produce is available in our EcoNest for that timely snack, and also feature in our Regional Hamper.
Website: www.happywombat.com.au
BATLOW BEES N BERRIES
Jeff and Sarah lead this small family-run business in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. It all started when they planted some raspberries, which Batlow is great for. They now also have 60 beehives to help with pollination. The result? They also now have beautiful, natural, unheated honey and beeswax products for sale.
Along with honey, fresh raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries from December to March. While they are not organic, minimal chemicals are used.
Batlow Bees N Berries produce can be found in our Regional Hamper.
Website: www.batlowbeesnberries.com.au
WOLLUNDRY GROVE
Grown, processed, bottled and packed on the grove in Wagga Wagga, our olives reflect the unique role that small, committed producers play in setting quality and flavour standards.
Taking time and care to harvest the highest quality olives allows us to yield distinctive, top of the range olive products.
You can taste it in our extra virgin olive oil and table olives, which we proudly produce without compromise. Larger producers find it difficult to match our dedication to the quality and character of our products.
Open for tours, tastings and sales by appointment.
Website: www.wollundrygroveolives.com.au
BRUSHWOODS
Brushwoods are run by the Kerrisk family near Ganmain. They are passionate about the beauty of natural products and knowing exactly what goes into our food.
Ever tried fresh oats, not dried? Imagine oats that actually taste oaty, with a texture that doesn’t disappear the moment it hits your tongue. Imagine the perfect, creamiest consistency – whether cooked in porridge or soaked like Bircher. These are those oats.
The only way to get a fresher oat is to roll or cut them in your own kitchen. No preservatives, no additives, nothing removed – pure. If there were such a thing as luxury oats – fresh oats would be it.
Have I convinced you yet?
You’ll find Brushwoods Oats as one of the staples in your EcoNest EcoHut Kitchen and in our Regional Produce Hamper.
Website: www.brushwoods.com.au
MUST VISIT PLACES TO EAT
NEST CINEMA:CAFE:BOOKS
There is nowhere else like it. Laura and The Nest team have created simply the best Café in the region and it has books, homewares and a cinema! Oh, did we mention the best coffee within 100 km? And great food. What’s not to love?
Nest Café is the perfect spot for a meal or ‘a little something’ with coffee after visiting Tumbarumba’s vineyards or the Sugar Pine Walk, Paddy’s River Falls, or a stroll on the Hume and Hovell Trail.
Be sure to look out for their special events! Highfield produce often features on their menu packed with local produce and wines.
Website: www.cafe-nest.com
WHISK AND DISH
Great ideas and dialogue go hand in hand with amazing food and barista-made coffee. It’s a place where people from all walks of life come together, with visitors laughing and sharing stories in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. It is truly the community cafe in Tumut.
On the all-day breakfast and brunch menu, there are meals for everyone’s taste and dietary requirements, along with a daily seasonally-inspired cabinet of fresh sandwiches, pastries and sweets.
With several heated/cooled seating areas, including a family-friendly back room and a shaded alfresco area, the location allows for ease of parking but is only a short stroll off the main street.
Local Chef and owner Clara have built a community within the café that supports local producers, artists and businesses. Supplying a hub for selling or promoting their wares, including Ddotbardi photographer, Highfield Farm and Woodland, The Apple Shed and Bramina Organics, among others. Their aim is to bring the coffee culture to the country.
Website: Whisk and Dish
SEE & DO EXPERIENCES
West of the Mountains, east of the Outback and a country mile from stress, there is so much to see and do in our region and our Kestrel Nest EcoHut is a gateway to it!
With pretty rolling country-side, tumbling waterfalls and gold mining heritage, the region is steeped in natural beauty and history. We have bush and bike trails, and local produce including apple and berry orchards, nut and olive groves and Trufferies! There are also beer, cider and wine makers, and vineyards with views! Cafes and restaurants, cellar doors with tastings. Here are a few things we like to do in the region. Use these suggestions to build your own day trips!
Sculpture Trail
A great way to see the region is to hop onto the Snowy Valley’s Sculpture Trail. Installed in May 2022 it is a fantastic way to get tourism back on track after the Black Summer Fires that affected our whole region.
Around Adelong
Adelong Falls and Gold Mining Heritage is a beautiful place of rolling boulders and gurgling stream – a great place to visit on a hot day. MKS Cafe is in the main street for your coffee needs. Madame Curios is a haven for antique hunters.
Around Tumut
Pick up locally-grown and made items from our regional cooperative Local at Learmonts. It’s inside one of the most beautiful old shop-fronts in the region – worth a visit in itself! Tumut River Brewing Company is our local craft beer brewer and Pretty Parrot our local gin maker. Tumut Wetlands is a great place to stroll and look for some of the region’s water birds. Cafes include Kat’s Whiskers , just off the main street with easy parking and the Coffee Pedlar in the main street. The Five Ways Art Gallery showcases some of the region’s talented artists.
Around Batlow
Wilgro Orchards and Mouat’s Orchards both have roadside shops where you can purchase apples, stone fruit, vinegars, preserves and other local produce. b:atelier is one of our local art gallery with exhibitions changing regularly.
Between Batlow and Tumbarumba
If you like real cider, cider made from proper heritage cider apples, then a visit to Craft Cider is the thing. SMART animal Sanctuary is also on site. Yep, there is a camel!
Around Tumbarumba
Nest Cafe and Cinema is the spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the menu featuring local produce. See what movies they are showing! If a vineyard is more your style then Courabyra Wines has a restaurant with lovely views over their vineyards or pop into Johansen’s Wines and their tasting shed. If spirits are more your style try Ladbroken’s Gin joint. Forage Merchants and Occassions is a great spot for antiques and homewares. Paddy’s River Falls is not far out of town.
Scenic drives
Plan your itinerary and ask us for the secret routes that only locals know! If you want more information, be sure to check out www.visitsnowyvalleys.au.
Venturing further?
Take a drive up to the hills into Kosciuszko National Park. Visit Kiandra, Long Plain and Yarrangobilly Caves. Or go on a day walk along the Hume and Hovell Trail.
On your bike?
Get onto the Rosewood to Tumbarumba Rail Trail 21km of trail through a very scenic part of the region.