Unearth Cabonne NSW

The Cabonne region, known as Australia’s Food Basket, not only boasts a variety of delicious food and wine but is famous for its agriculture, scenic rural landscapes, rich history, and quaint villages.

The Cabonne area is around 6,000 square kilometres in size and is located 3.5 hours from Sydney. There’s so much to do and see in this beautiful region, it’s worthwhile taking the long weekend to explore.

This region encompasses Canowindra, Molong, Borenore, Cargo, Cudal, Cumnock, Eugowra, Manildra, Mullion Creek, Nashdale and Yeoval.

A trip to the Cabonne is a bucket list item to explore the many villages that are all unique in their own way. All the villages are pleasantly spread around the area for you to enjoy the countryside in the many seasons that the area experiences.

DAY 1

Leaving Orange through Nashdale and Borenore – villages set at the foot of Mount Canoblas amongst bucolic rolling hills. Surrounded by picturesque orchards and vineyards, it is a well-known fruit-growing area, producing cherries, peaches, plums, apples, figs and quinces, plus many others depending on the season. It is the ideal spot for picking your own fruit, or you can stop by one of the farmgates to buy direct from the grower.

For the more adventurous, the region offers many scenic walking trails, from a gentle stroll around Lake Canobolas to a hike to Pinnacle lookout for some fresh mountain air.

Cut across to Canowindra and stroll the charming main street which has an old-world air, and verandah posts lining its unique curved street. Nineteenth century buildings remain, housing a number of boutique homewares stores and art galleries, however Canowindra has retained the integrity and character of a classic country town.

As well as being rich in landscape, Cabonne is also a region rich in history, including a 360 millionyear-old fish fossil find and now museum in Canowindra, and endless amounts of bushranger history.

Canowindra is a very popular destination for hot air balloon rides. Visitors can experience the exhilaration of watching the sun rise over the sweeping plains followed by a champagne breakfast. The yearly Canowindra Balloon Glow and Night Market is a highlight of the region’s calendar.

Midway between Canowindra and Molong, stop by the Cabonne Food Wine & Cultural Centre in Cudal’s Corden Store. This building offers a step back in time to experience rural life as it was over 60 years ago. It remains the best example of early 20th century architecture within the town. Fifty years ago it was a bustling emporium that mixed saddlery with haberdashery, and is now home to the community hub known as The Cabonne Food, Wine and Cultural Centre. Though now containing a cafe, crafts, antiques and library, one rare attraction remains – a still-working flying fox change dispenser. Once common in the post WWII era, only a handful in Australia now remain.

DAY 2

The heritage-listed main street of Molong compliments the many other well-preserved historic buildings dotted throughout the town and is a wonderful place to take a stroll and appreciate the town’s rich architectural history.

Molong has a vibrant arts and crafts scene, and the town is home to a number of galleries and homewares stores. A historic former Cobb & Co coach house takes on new life as a craft gallery, while the Yarn Market is housed in the oldest brick building in Molong, and sells hand-crafted goods, produce and provides valuable visitor information.

Surrounding Molong you will find boutique cellar doors where you can sample the tastes of the region whilst enjoying expansive vineyard views.

Explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell’s indigenous tracker, Yuranigh is buried just out of Molong on the Mitchell Highway towards Orange. A man of special honour, Aboriginal scarred trees mark the grave site.

And on the Parkes Road is Manildra, a town of 700 people and home of the Manildra Group, a diversified flour milling company with a staff of 800.

Family-owned, the mill is an important source of employment and economic stability in the town and a point of community pride. The flour mill train wagons have been painted with large-scale portraits of locals by internationally acclaimed artist Guito van Helten, which capture the everyday spirit of the town.

Manildra’s Amusu Theatre is the oldest continually operating theatre in Australia. In virtually original condition, visitors can directly experience the charm of a working Art Deco cinema, with new release films still being screened. An adjacent movie poster museum stands next door.

CABONNE FOOD & WINE OPTIONS

• Printhie Dining 208 Nancarrow Ln, Nashdale. 0409 645 075
• Lake Canobolas Rd, Nashdale. 0460 291 298
• Cargo Road Winery & Café Cargo Road, Nashdale. 02 6365 6100
• Delice Coffee 18 Tilga St, Canowindra. 0473 479 184
• The Fat Parcel Café Cnr Nanima & Nangar Rd, Eugowra. 0492 962 961
• Freemasons Hotel 1 Bank St, Molong. 0498 799 421
• Lakeside Kiosk & Café Lake Canobolas, Nashdale. 02 6365 3279
• Lime & Stone Café 47 Bank St, Molong. 0422 793 454
• Perennialle Plants Café & Nursery 29 Gaskill St, Canowindra. 0427 077 798
• Platypus Café 5 Main St, Cudal. 02 6364 2109
• The Cargo Inn 34-38 Belmore St, Cargo. 02 6364 3085
• The Telegraph Hotel 53 Bank St, Molong. 02 6366 8095
• Timber Tales Café, Gifts & Produce 23 Belmore St, Cargo. 0456 412 562
• Wildflower Café 33 Gidley St, Molong. 0456 421 684
• Stockman’s Ridge. 02 6365 6212
• Strawhouse. 0402 498 419
• Swinging Bridge. 0447 416 295
• Tamburlaine. 42 02 4998 4299
• Wallington. 02 6344 7153
• Word of Mouth. 0417 042 881