1. Explore Quirky Small Towns
Country NSW is home to some of the wackiest towns in Australia but they are a source of endless laughs and eyebrow-raising experiences. No matter how small the town you come across, spend some time exploring its various quirks, talking to locals and having some light-hearted fun.
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2. Check Out The National Parks
Country NSW is an outdoor lover’s dream. With over 70 National Parks in this area, you’ll never be far from adventure. Australia’s second-highest waterfall (Wollomombi Falls) can be found in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. You can scale the Woolpack Rocks and Cathedral Rock in Cathedral Rock National Park.
If you want to make a splash, this area offers more ways that you can think of to do just that!
Nangar National Park is really popular as it’s known for its epic picnic spots, famed dripping rock and one of the best lookouts you will find in country NSW.
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3. Explore Caves & Fossils
Take a step back into the Devonian period and visit Canowindra’s Age Of Fishes Museum. Here you will find yourself immersed back in time, seeing what freshwater fish were like millions of years ago.
Arch and Verandah Caves lie in the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve. Take the short walk from the picnic area to Arch Cave and explore what it has to offer. Verandah Cave is an hour’s walk from the picnic area. Once here, you will find a large limestone overhand protecting pools of water underneath. If you are quiet enough you may even be able to spot a platypus.
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4. Have An Animal Encounter
Animals, animals everywhere! Wake up in the wild with an overnight stay at the Zoofari Lodge at Dubbo Western Plains Zoo. Get up close and personal with the alpacas one of the many alpaca farms. Have a true farm experience at Kuriong Sheep Station or Bathurst Farm Experience.
In a small country town called Darlington Point, you will find Altina Wildlife Park. Take the 2.5hr guided tour and get up close and personal during feeding times. Altina also offers behind the scenes feeding encounters. Be sure to pre book as spots fill up fast.
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5. Make A Splash
Country NSW has a large number of lakes which the locals take to during summer to cool off. Gumbend Lake, Lake Forbes, Lake Hume, Lake Talbot and Lake Mulwala are all popular options for swimming, watersports and swimming. At Lake Forbes make sure you grab some waffles from Sweet Three Vintage Van.
Wyangala Dam is a good spot too. It is known for its monster cod fish and the best recreational dam in the region. You can also take a dip at the swimming holes in the region’s National Parks. Boonoo Boonoo National Park has secluded water holes and features the waterfall in front of which Banjo Patterson proposed to Alice Walker.
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6. Enjoy The Wineries
You may not have realised but Country NSW is home to 9 different wine regions! In the Southern Highlands, check out the Book Barn of the historic Bendooley Estate (oh, and stop in at Robertsons Pies while you’re in the area). In the Orange area, head to De Salis or Nashdale Lane for epic cellar door views. Sample cherry wines and liquors in the Hilltops region.
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