Adelaide to Sydney
road trip

Barossa Bushgardens @WeekendNotes

Barossa Bushgardens

Today, the gardens are home to about 130 of the 400+ species of plants that can be found in the region, some of which are rare or critically endangered. It showcases different plant associations, as well as garden beds filled with a diversity of vegetation. Most areas are wheelchair accessible and the BBG promote mental health and wellbeing through the Labyrinth and Dementia Friendly Garden as well as offering weekly dementia and disability friendly workshops

The Barossa Bushgardens are open to the public from dawn till dusk, 7 days a week. Car access at 653 Research Road. Pedestrian access from Coulthard Reserve walking trail off Penrice Road. Follow the signs – Entry is free.

Views of Lyrup @State Library of South Australia

Lyrup, Communal living, circa nineteenth century, Lyrup’s call to fame as part of the experiment, by the South Australian government in the 1890’s.

Today Lyrup is a tiny blip on google maps. It is a case of history happening here.

There are no significant buildings to mark the settlement origins as a communist designed community.

Renmark @WeekendNotes

A service town whose prosperity is based around the orchards of lime, olives, apricots, grapes, plums and citrus fruits. Remark’s main street is extraordinarily wide with extensive central planting creating a park-like appearance. Every October is a well known Rose Festival where private gardens are open to visitors. It is a must see spectacle for garden enthusiasts throughout Australia. The Southern hemisphere’s largest paddle steamer PS Murray Princess calls Remark its home port. The steamer has been modelled on the Mississippi riverboats.

Allow 1-2 hours to explore Renmark. You have a choice from a mural, Chaffey’s original home which is now National Heritage listed, PS Industry and Ruston’s Rose Garden and gift shop.

Frank Harding gallery in Renmark @Heuzenroeder

Stop 1

Harding’s Folklore Gallery Frank Harding stunning Renmark Art Gallery, Riverland depicts Australia’s colonial life. The Gallery is an enormous 75 square metre mural. There are numerous paintings by the artist.

Frank Harding was a self-taught artist who, like his contemporary Pro Hart, painted prolifically to preserve Australian folklore and history on canvas.

The two artists were peers, friends and, it turns out, distant cousins.

For buffs interested in folk art and the history of Australian painting this is a must do stop.

Olivewood Historic Homestead and Museum @National Trust

Stop 2

Olivewood, looks like a Canadian log cabin with typical Australian verandahs.

The building was originally built by George Chaffey who was famous for pioneering irrigation in the Renmark area.

It is National Heritage listed and there is a museum at the back of the building.

River Murray steamboat PS Industry @Resthaven

Stop 3

PS Industry steamboat, 1911 is a workboat for SA Engineering and Water Supply Department with a major role keeping the river open for traffic by removing snags.

Volunteers have restored PS Industry to her former glory and is great stop for those interested in the Murray River heritage boats.

PS Industry is open for inspection between the following hours: Monday – Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm, Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 10.00am – 2.00pm, Steaming days are held on the first Sunday of each month, Long Weekends and selected days throughout the year.

PS Industry Charters by arrangement.

@rustonsrestaurant

Stop 4

Ruston’s Rose Garden and Ruston’s Restaurant & Functions: Home is glorious, with extensive rose rose gardens containing more than 50,000 bushes in a pleasant landscaped setting. The Ruston’s story dates back to 1919 when Cuthbert Ruston was given the land as part of a soldier settlement program.

By the 1970’s, David had completely converted the property to roses which eventually housed 50,000 species of rose and the National Rose Collection. David Ruston was internationally renowned for his knowledge of roses and contribution to the industry, which includes the birth of the Renmark Rose Festival.

The gardens are being restored with a rose distillery and function centre being added to the premises. Ruston’s has a takeaway menu as well as a cafe. Check for opening hours for the gardens and cafe.

Bredl’s Wonder World of Wildlife @ZooChat

Stop 5

Bredl’s Wonder World of Wildlife has one of the largest collections of reptiles in the country.

It apparently has over 200 different species of reptile including alligators, crocodiles and snakes (taipans, tiger snakes, death adders, rattlesnakes, pythons, boa constrictors).

Darling and Murray River Junction @VisitWentworth

Paringa photo moment & Wentworth Junction Park where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet. Look for the differing water colour to identify the merging of the two rivers.

Your first stop is Paringa for a photo moment of river lock 5 and the Paringa Suspension Bridge. Then on your way to Mildura you will pass Wentworth where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet. Check out the view of the swirling confluence at Junction Park. The deep blue River Murray is a consistently strong and steady flow with headwaters in the Victorian high country while the Darling struggles through semi-arid plains with an elevation of less than 100 metres and an annual rainfall of less than 300mm. The two rivers are differing shades of deep blue and rust yellow / brown. By the time these two rivers meet, they’ve already travelled a combined distance of 4,428 river kilometres.From their confluence, they will continue on for another 832 kilometres to the Southern Ocean. There are BBQ, toilets and a walking trail with a playground for children. Plaques explain the River systems and the part the rivers play in the lives of people.

Where the two rivers meet there is a distinct colour difference. The viewing tower has 55 steps to the top with spectacular views. NOTE: The Darling River has recently run dry. Wentworth is worthy of several days exploring the district. Definitely put the town on the bucket list for a return visit, perhaps when you are planning a Murray River cruise. Wentworth NSW – Australia’s Murray Darling Heartland is now on your Aussie bucket list.

Murray-Sunset National Park pink salt lake

The outback. Extraordinary pink lakes, an outback resembling Mars, and a stoic outback heritage story. To cap off the surreal landscape is a remote town with a parade of mouth watering restaurants. It is the paradox that is Mildura. Orchards such as Orange World are totally supported by irrigation from the Murray River. Forget the greasy spoon, Mildura’s foodie scene would not look out of place in cosmopolitan Melbourne or Sydney. A trip on a heritage paddle boat is not complete without tasting the riverside orchards and lemon groves, fruit bounty. And then there are the wineries bordering the town.

Stefanos Restaurant Dinner @aavws

The outback. Extraordinary pink lakes, an outback resembling Mars, and a stoic outback heritage story. To cap off the surreal landscape is a remote town with a parade of mouth watering restaurants. It is the paradox that is Mildura. Orchards such as Orange World are totally supported by irrigation from the Murray River. Forget the greasy spoon, Mildura’s foodie scene would not look out of place in cosmopolitan Melbourne or Sydney. A trip on a heritage paddle boat is not complete without tasting the riverside orchards and lemon groves, fruit bounty. And then there are the wineries bordering the town.

Kayaking @visitmildura

Wild Side Outdoors will supply a map of the billabong and where are the ideal places to observe birds and wildlife. For those of us who are not keen on wading into water to launch there is a nifty kayak launcher. The ramp, with its rollers, glides the kayak into the water. Kayaking for beginners as well the billabong has no currents making the water journey safer than ocean or river kayaking.

Wildlife

There are the enormous Ibis floating nests with the din of numerous birds, pelicans, herons and cormorants sitting on logs, banks and semi-submerged tree trunks waiting for the opportunity to fish.  Water monitors are evident.  For bird watch enthusiasts here is the list of birds observed. Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve bird checklist.

Mildura walking trails @The advertiser

The walks are flat and easy to various lookout points and bird hides, These include a popular four kilometre return walk, through beautiful wetlands with huge River Red Gums and Black Box woodlands. Most of the walks are wheelchair and pram friendly. There are seats and tables at the carpark, but no toilet facilities. The nearest toilets are at Red Cliffs or Mildura.

• Kings Billabong Lookout – Enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the Billabong and take a short 200m loop walk down to the water’s edge.
• Bird Hide Loop Walk – Beginning at the Billabong Walks Car park, this is an easy 3.5km loop walk for the family.

DURATION:  HALF DAY

@Narrandera

Narrandera is home to a big thing, a playable guitar and Aerial Trunk Route memorial, a standing reminder of historic telephony. The trunk lines are a  memorial to telecommunications “J” Trunk route and the people who built it. Construction commenced in 1950 and was completed in 1956. The section passing through Narrandera stretched from Blaney to Echuca.  Narrandera is home to an outdoor gallery trail on water towers. The art trail is worth a stop. Narrandera Water Tower Art Trail is represented by six water towers, now huge canvases for lizards, koalas, a tiger moth plane, oakbank brewery, the river and a paddle steamer.

An excellent photo opportunity is also the rail bridge. Opened in 1885, the Narrandera Rail bridge was part of the line that ran south from Narrandera to Tocumwal on the Victorian border. It was common at the time for bridges to be constructed using hardwood timber and so this bridge is rare being one of only twelve iron lattice bridges installed across NSW rivers. There is a an information plaque at the bridge site.

DURATION: 1 hours.

National Art Glass Collection @Visit Wagga

Wagga Wagga is a must stop destination for culture buffs. Although Wagga Wagga has a mere 64,000 residents its status is boosted with the National Art Glass Gallery. The innovative public art gallery was designed to attract temporary exhibitions with large spaces. The building is located in the architect-designed Civic Centre, and incorporates a stand-alone gallery to exhibit the National Art Glass Collection. The Wagga Wagga Art Glass Gallery exhibits a rotating range of touring shows and locally developed exhibitions from the Gallery’s extensive collections, as well as the work of Riverina based artists. It is also the home of the Margaret Carnegie Print Collection and the National Art Glass Collection. Wagga is the capital of the Riverina region.

The gallery has an excellent gift shop specialising in glass. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm, Closed Mondays.

Wagga Steam and Vintage Engine Museum, Wagga Wagga @VisitNSW

Perhaps you have a yearning to check out vintage engines, machines and the industrial artefacts that build Australia. Wagga Wagga’s Steam and Vintage Engine Museum is a total time waster for industrial history buffs. Operated by volunteers of the Wagga Historic Engine Club there is a stupendous collection of working engines. From shearing equipment to stationary engines. The collection is housed in a 1876 freight store and depot. For avid fans of all things industrial history contact Wagga Historic Engine Club for opening hours.

Greens Gunyah Museum @MGNSW

History fans rejoice, you are near the refurbished Greens Gunyah Museum. It is situated in the main street of Lockhart. Run by the Lockhart and District Historical Society, the museum operates the local Visitor Information Centre. There is a wealth of material in the Museum collection, with an extensive range of historical artefacts, photography and machinery on display, all with their own story to tell. Of note are the artefacts from Brookong Station, scene of the famous Shearers Strike in 1888.

The Shearer’s Strike is a nationally important story illustrating changes in land tenure, land use and the character of rural settlements from the first settlements in the 1840s through to the 20th Century.

65 km 50 minutes

Like a Bull – by Keo Match @Visit Wagga

Discover a hidden gem of Wagga Wagga’s CBD. Cadell Place Murals are located between Fitzmaurice Street and the Murrumbidgee River. Drive down Cadell Place or park in the car park and walk along the Wiradjuri Walking Track to get a better view. From here take you best selfies/photos and share with #visitwagga. The six colourful murals were part of the 2018 and 2019 Lost Lanes Micro – Festival which is held in the city every June. The murals include works by Australian artists who are listed below.

• Like a Bull – by Keo Match
• Local People ft. Dane Simpson and Jada Whyman – by Reuben Broughtwood
• Dame Edna – by Ling
• Medusa – by Ignacio Querejeta
• Murrumbidgee Flow by David ‘Meggs’ Hooke
• Togetherness – by Creature Creature

Cootamundra Court House @Mattinbgn

Cootamundra-Stockinbingal Heritage Trail

Heritage trails in Cootamundra and Stockinbingal are well worth a detour. The local visitor centre displays original reproductions of photographs of the late nineteenth century to early twentieth century which should inspire visitors to visit the towns and compare life then and now. Heritage interest continues to grow and fans to Cootamundra will linger longer in the district. Buildings of significance are, check travel pack for full list.

• Railway Station
• Hospital (on the Hill)
• Albion Hotel
• War Memorial Library
• Court House
• Post Office

Cootamundra West railway station @Wikipedia

The Cootamundra Railway Station was opened on the 1st of November 1877 The railway yard extends to almost the full length of the town along its eastern boundary which creates a major element in the development of the town. The Station building and its major platform’s awning are of particular significance with amazing detail in both the building and the cast iron columns and brackets of the canopy. The Cootamundra Railway Station was listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register on the 2nd of April 1999.

Milestones Sculptures, Cootamundra @VisitNSW

Arts, Antiques & Shopping — Visit Cootamundra. Would you like to linger longer in Cootamundra, let’s relax and explore the town’s art district. Check out the fibre optic lit sculptures, opened in 1997 by the then Governor General William Deane. The Sculptures pay tribute to the significance of the wheat industry in the Cootamundra and Wallendbeen areas. It is an area that has seen some of the nation’s finest high quality award winning wheat crops.

Cootamundra Court House @Mattinbgn

Entertaining and informative self-guided audio tours of this heritage site are available daily between the times of 9:00am – 3:30pm. Hire a player, headphones and pick up the key from the Visitor Information Centre (open 7 days 9am – 4.30pm). The Old Gundagai Jail stands at the corner of First Avenue and Byron St, surrounded by a high wall of local slate with sandstone capping.

Duration: 3 hours in Gundagai exploring the town. Free time to wander the district, find out what is around the next corner and chill out in the local cafes and shops.

Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool @WeekendNotes

Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool walk is a must for visitors. Year round there is something magical about nature turning the tap on with hot spring fed water.

Take the short Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool walk and indulge soaking in the warm natural pool. It’s a great combination with a bushwalk or cave tour in the Yarrangobilly area of Kosciuszko National Park. For walking enthusiasts check the park website for more walks in the vicinity of the cave system.

Where Yarrangobilly area in Kosciuszko National Park.

Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre @VisitNSW

Cowra Japanese Garden lunch and an afternoon finding your zen moment. The gardens are a memorial for the 231 Japanese soldiers who died in the escape attempt from the nearby prison camp during World War II. The garden is a poignant symbol of remembrance and good will. The garden’s philosophy is to encourage reconciliation and peace. The Cowra Japanese Garden covers 5 hectares of landscaping representing the various aspects of Japanese scenery from mountains to contemporary urban spaces. The Returned Servicemen’s League maintained the Japanese soldiers’ graves and over the years the idea of a garden, as a symbol of friendship, was nurtered. You can hire a golf buggy for visitors who have mobility issues.

Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre is a registered cultural organisation, and is classified by the National Trust as ‘A place of Significant Cultural, Architectural and Historic Significance. For inspiration for your trip here are some gallery photographs of the gardens. Gallery | japanesegardens1-1. A definite must visit garden.

Opening:

Every day except Christmas Day. Operating hours will vary with the seasons

Cafe is fully licensed including a selection of local wines. Open from 9am.

@Bathurst Artisan Market

There is a long list of specialised stores, antique curiosities and general department shops in Bathurst. Go Shopping « Bathurst Region could be an all day occupation. Foodies can pick up goodies from the monthly Bathurst Farmer’s Markets. The markets are held on the fourth Saturday of each month from January to November and on the third Saturday of December – see our page detailing up and coming market dates. Gates are open to the public from 8 am to 12 noon. The markets are situated at the historic Bathurst Showground and surrounds (for directions see the map in our Contact Us page). Check out the gift shop attached to the Visitor Centre for artisan jams, relishes, honey and locally produced olive oil.

The Bathurst Artisan Market – Home is held four times a year in the Bathurst Library forecourt. Local artists, artisan goods and regional craft producers descend on the library to market their wares. For market lovers it is a must do destination. Street food and pop up food stalls galore. Plenty of choice for the most discerning palate.

DURATION 2 – 3 hours

What’s a holiday without some retail therapy?

@Mayfield Garden

Lunch at the Water Gardens with its 6 acres of stone and water gardens is a great way to revive energy levels after your history walk exercise. The gardens are renown for , boardwalks, a copper tree fountain, obelisk pond and allée of London Plane trees.

The Nursery at Mayfield Garden is stocked with a wide range of cool climate plants. Completing the Water Garden experience is the Nursery with its extensive range of cool climate plants, & the Kitchen Café serving seasonal, freshly prepared food. The Water Garden, Nursery & Kitchen Café @ Mayfield Garden are all open 7 days a week.

Open: Daily 9am – 4.00pm (last entry at 3pm to the Water garden)

Pearson’s Lookout @Tripadvisor

A taste of what the Capertee Valley has to offer is on view. The route is 40 minutes drive from Lithgow (one way). Forget about the Grand Canyon, USA, Australia has one bigger, larger and grander. A world of canyons, towering limestone cliffs, and the prehistoric Wollemi Pines call this place the last refugee. This detour is to soak in a view unsurpassed in the area, overlooking the Capertee Valley and Pantony’s Crown.

DURATION: 2 – 2 ½ hours.

Hassan’s Walls Lookout is just minutes from the town centre of Lithgow. The Sir Joseph Cook boardwalk provides easy access to the magnificent 180 degree view of the Blue Mountains escarpment and rolling valleys below. Hassan’s Walls Lookout is the highest scenic lookout in the greater Blue Mountains at 1136 metres above sea level.  From Lithgow you will travel to your destination for the night Blackheath in the Blue Mountains.

Govetts Leap @Australian Places

Walks from Govetts Leap

There are many walking tracks from Govetts Leap. Your walk can lead to  Bridal Veil Falls and Luchetti Lookout. This is a spectacular waterfall and a favourite spot for photographs. Govetts Leap has tracks leading to the Pulpit Rock Walk will take you to Cripps Lookout and Pulpit Rock.

Popes Glen Walk will take you from Govetts Leap back towards the centre of town. For more information about walks consult the complimentary Blue Mountains travel guide and ten easy walks in the Blue Mountains

For the story on the Govetts Leap name check out the horse and rider monument located on the Great Western Highway.

TiP: The local information centre advises it is well worth stopping to read the plaque while perhaps waiting for fish & chips from the local shop across the road.

DURATION: 2 – 3 hours.

@victorytheatre

Time to leisurely stroll through the village of Blackheath to explore the  local crafts people, artists, galleries, second hand and antique shops.

• Keith Rowe’s Hand Blown Glass Gallery and head across to the workshop on Station Street to watch the pieces being made (wonderful on a cold day!).
• Jewel for beautiful amber and silver jewellery,
• Victory Theatre Antiques and Cafe,
• Gleebooks, great art galleries, boutiques, and good restaurants and cafes (see our eating out section).
• Hat Hill Gallery
• Local markets are on the first Sunday of the month at Blackheath Public School. Regional Growers Markets are the second Sunday of the month in the Community Hall. Both markets are great for those yummy food stalls, impulse buying is recommended.

Blackheathis home to an old fashioned independent cinema, Mt Vic Flicks. From Thursday to Sunday, visit the original old-fashioned cinema at Mt Victoria, and enjoy a cup of tea in a real mug and a Choc Top. A local favourite especially on a damp winter day.

Megalong Valley Tea Rooms @BringFido

Devonshire tea is another favourite

Spend the afternoon in the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms. Warm scones, slathered with clotted cream, homemade blackberry jam, sandwiches, soups and light lunches all tempt the palate. From the Tea Rooms it is a short drive drive to the creek where there is a very pretty picnic area. If you follow Megalong Valley Rd you can continue on through private gates to the National Park there, where there are tracks and trails for enthusiastic walkers. Blackheath Glen tourist park is one of the recommended STAY options. It is a great park for families, camping and large caravans, with a choice of grassy, slab or ensuite sites, and a range of cabin options. For those staying at the Glen Tourist Park this is a perfect excuse for an indulgent afternoon tea.