Take a road-trip to Cowra this Spring and immerse yourself in a sea of yellow for canola season. There are guided bus tours, hot air balloon flights and a special long lunch in the canola fields. On the way some of the region’s best attractions have other blooming events.
Canola season must-dos:
For budding photographers and nature-lovers, the hotly anticipated dates for Cowra’s Field of Gold Canola Tours have been announced from August through to October. The two-hour guided bus tour includes photo opportunities to designated canola ‘hot spots’ around the region, a historical tour of Cowra, and a wine and produce tasting. Cost $50. Dates are 27, 28 August, 10, 11, 17, 18 and 25 September, and 1 October. Go to www.visitcowra.com.au/canola.
For an extra special birds-eye view of the canola www.visitcowra.com.au/canola offers daily magical sunrise flights with breakfast and champagne as you float over the Cowra and Canowindra landscapes. Cost $340. www.balloonjoyflights.com.au
Near Grenfell, the Fields of Green and Gold Long Lunch on 17 September includes a feast in the canola fields at Glencara, the home of ‘The Rustic Maze & Country Garden’. Enjoy live music, local produce, gift stalls, food from Jacaranda House, and local lamb, beer and wine. Cost $160. www.glencara.com.au
Other blooming attractions:
In Oberon, one of the world’s largest privately owned cool climate gardens, will burst with extraordinary colour for the ‘Mayfield Garden Spring Festival’. From 24 September to 23 October 2022, the full 65-hectare garden and maze, including the 50-hectare private family estate, will be open. Row a boat across the lake, enjoy the 80-metre cascade and waterfall, and picnic amongst the daffodils. A complimentary shuttle bus explores the grounds. Cost $35/15. www.mayfieldgarden.com.au/whatson/spring-festival/
A must-do on 29-30 October is the ‘Bathurst Spring Spectacular’ when 10 of the region’s most beautiful gardens open to the public. A riot of colour form lilacs, irises, rhododendrons and azaleas will be in full bloom, and the gardens will feature music, art and sculpture, for a full sensory experience. Cost $20. www.bathurstregion.com.au
Join yoga in the vines, jam making classes, high tea, farmers markets and a series of wine inspired events at ‘The Orange Wine Festival’ from 30 September to 29 October. The month-long celebration begins with the ‘Orange Wine Festival Night Market’ on 30 September and ends with Altitude, a new signature event which includes a walk around the picturesque Lake Canobolas stopping at wine and food stations along the way, culminating at the lakeside for music, wine and more food. www.orange360.com.au/Events/Orange-Wine-Festival
To conclude Spring, one of the region’s most delightful historic villages will open 10 gardens for the ‘Millthorpe Garden Ramble’ on 5-6 November. From large rural gardens to small village gardens, and veggie plots to small nooks, there will be a festive atmosphere across the village with fine local food and cool climate wines all part of the celebration. Cost $25. www.millthorpegardenramble.com.au
