New South Wales

New South Wales—abbreviated as NSW—is the site of ’s first permanent European settlement which is now . The city is built on the magnificent Sydney Harbour, one of the most spectacular and identifiable harbours in the world. New South Wales is a large state with a climate ranging from sub tropical to alpine to semi desert. The divides the many popular beaches, national parks and resorts of the east coast from rich farming lands of the western slopes and the dry western plains that occupy two-thirds of the state. Three mighty rivers—the Murray, Darling, and Murrumbidgee—bring life and riches to the dry continent as they meander across the vast inland plains of NSW.

Byron Bay Mungindi Moree Lismore Ballina Bourke Wee Waa Narrabri Coffs Harbour NEW SOUTH WALES

Warren Trangle Narromine Dubbo

Hunter Valley Dareton Buronga Orange Wentworth Gol Gol Hillston Forbes Mildura Euston Griffith Leeton SYDNEY Hay Young Toolybuc Koragleigh Batlow

NSW

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New South Wales harvest charts

Ballina Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avocados Berries Nuts Stonefruit

Batlow Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Apples

Bourke Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Citrus Citrus Thinning Cotton Grapes Melons Vine Pruning

Byron Bay Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avocados Berries Lychees Nuts Stonefruit

Coffs Harbour Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avocados Bananas Berries

Low requirement for labour - little Medium requirement for labour - some High requirement for labour -high or no work may be available out of area labour may be required need for out of area labour

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Dubbo Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton

Euston Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Grapes Vine Pruning Vegetables

Forbes Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Stonefruit Pruning

Gol Gol Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Citrus Grapes Vegetables

Griffith Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Grapes Vine Pruning Vegetables

Hay Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Vegetables Melons Cotton

Low requirement for labour - little Medium requirement for labour - some High requirement for labour -high or no work may be available out of area labour may be required need for out of area labour

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Hillston Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cherries Citrus Cotton Vegetables

Hunter Valley Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Grapes

Leeton Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Citrus Grapes Stonefruit Vegetables

Lismore Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avocados Berries Nuts Stonefruit

Moree Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton Nuts Olives

Low requirement for labour - little Medium requirement for labour - some High requirement for labour -high or no work may be available out of area labour may be required need for out of area labour

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Mungindi Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton

Narrabri Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton

Narromine Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Citrus Cotton

Orange Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Apples Cherries Grapes

Sydney Basin Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Apples Avocados Citrus Flowers/Nursery Stonefruit Vegetables

Tooleybuc Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Citrus Grapes Stonefruit Vegetables

Low requirement for labour - little Medium requirement for labour - some High requirement for labour -high or no work may be available out of area labour may be required need for out of area labour

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Trangie Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton

Tumbarumba Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Apples Berries Grapes

Tumut Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Apples

Warren Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton

Wee Waa Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cotton

Wentworth Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Citrus Grapes Vegetables

Young Crop Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Berries Cherries Grapes Stone Fruit Vine Pruning

Low requirement for labour - little Medium requirement for labour - some High requirement for labour -high or no work may be available out of area labour may be required need for out of area labour

18 | National Harvest Guide New South Wales

ABOUT NEW SOUTH WALES GRAIN HARVEST

The NSW grain industry can be categorically The southern wheat belt comprises the central split into two main areas, being the northern and southern regions of NSW. Grain production and southern wheat belts. The hub of the in the south centres strongly around winter northern wheat belt has long been considered crops such as canola, barley, oats and pulses. to be Moree, a town in the north western Whilst the majority of summer crops are grown aspect of the region. Sorghum is the main in the north, the southern region does sow rice summer crop grown in the northern wheat belt during the warmer months. with an estimated 95 per cent of Australia’s total The Central Division includes Dubbo, plantings of sorghum grown in the regions of Narromine, Trangie, and Warren. Gunnedah, Narrabri, Inverell, and Moree. The Northern Division includes Goodiwindi, Gunnedah, Hay Inverell, Moree, Mungindi, Narrabri, Spring Ridge, Thallon, and Wee Waa.

NEW SOUTH WALES GRAIN CHART

Town Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Central division Northern division

Low requirement for labour - little Medium requirement for labour - some High requirement for labour -high or no work may be available out of area labour may be required need for out of area labour

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BALLINA When should I go there? Ballina is located on an island at the mouth of the April - September: Macadamia nuts, avocados Richmond River in the heart of the Northern May - September: Custard apples Rivers, NSW. The township is located an easy hour September - December: Stone fruit and a half from the Gold Coast and only a 30 July - January: Blueberries minute drive south of popular Byron Bay. Ballina is surrounded by 32 kilometres of beautiful How do I get there? surfing beaches and picturesque headlands. The Ballina is located 189 kilometres south of main streets of Ballina are lined with stylish cafes Brisbane or 737 kilometres north of Sydney on and restaurants, shops and galleries. the Pacific Highway. The town is serviced by the Harvest Trail Services provider Ballina Byron Airport. There are daily bus services from Brisbane and Sydney providing MADEC Australia transport into the Ballina region. Suite 103 – 105, 24 Moonee Street

Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 0429 526 734 [email protected] www.madec.edu.au Where can I stay? Harvest Trail Information Service Ballina offers a range of accommodation 1800 062 332 including resorts, motels, hotels, self contained www.harvesttrail.gov.au units, caravan parks, B&Bs and guesthouses.

Places to visit Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum, The Big Prawn, Ballina Lighthouse, Richmond River, Ballina Manor, Thursday Plantation, Macadamia BATLOW Castle, Community Gallery, In the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, Batlow Summerland House Farm, Lake Ainsworth, Pat is situated 443 kilometres south west of Sydney. Morton Lookout. Follow the coastline on paved A strong timber industry and the harvesting, cycle ways and watch the migration of the packing and processing of the district’s fruit humpback whales from East Ballina lookouts crops are the town’s main employers. between May and November. Harvest Trail Services provider Tourist information Harvest Trail Information Service Ballina Visitor Information Centre 1800 062 332 6 River Street www.harvesttrail.gov.au Ballina NSW 2478 1800 777 666 [email protected] www.discoverballina.com.au

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Places to visit BOURKE Springfield Orchard, Batlow Fruit Co-operative Bourke is located in north western NSW and is Ltd, roadside fruit stalls (seasonal), Weemala positioned at the junction of three highways: The lookout and Flora and Fauna Reserve, Cascades , and Kamilaroi Nursery, and the Bago State Forest. Highway. The township’s main industries include cotton, stone fruit, citrus, irrigated wheat and Tourist information wool. Bourke provides an ideal gateway for seeing the remote parts of NSW. Tumut Visitor Centre The Old Butter Factory, 5 Adelong Road Harvest Trail Services provider Tumut NSW 2720 Harvest Trail Information Service 02 6947 7025 1800 062 332 [email protected] www.harvesttrail.gov.au www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to- do/visitor-centres/tumut-visitor-centre Places to visit When should I go there? Back O’ Bourke Exhibition Centre, Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centre, Mount Gundabooka, Historic March - May: Apples Buildings, Mount Oxley, Outback Show, Fred Hollows Grave and Memorial, Cotton Gin Tours How do I get there? and Jandra Paddle Boat operation on the . Batlow is 443 kilometres south west of Sydney via the Hume and Snowy Highways and is accessible by bus and car. There is no public Tourist information transport available between farms. Bourke Tourist Information Centre Kidman Way Bourke NSW 2840 02 6872 1321 Where can I stay? [email protected] www.visitbourke.com.au Batlow has a hotel, motel, Caravan Park and backpacker accommodation. When should I go there?

January - May: Melons April - May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning May - June: Vine pruning May - September: Citrus November - January: Grapes December - February: Citrus thinning

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How do I get there? Tourist information Bourke is situated alongside the Darling River Byron Visitor Centre and the Mitchell Highway and is located Old Stationmaster’s Cottage, 80 Jonson Street approximately 800 kilometres west of Sydney. Byron Bay NSW 2481 From Melbourne you will need to travel 1030 02 6680 8558 kilometres north, via Hillston, on the Kidman Way. [email protected] www.visitbyronbay.com

When should I go there? Where can I stay? February - March: Lychees April - September: Nuts, avocados Bourke offers a selection of excellent caravan May - September: Custard apples parks, hotels, motels and B&Bs. September - December: Stone fruit October - December: Coffee July - January: Blueberries

BYRON BAY How do I get there? Byron Bay is located on the north coast of NSW Byron Bay is located just off the Pacific Highway, with Cape Byron being Australia’s most easterly 800 kilometres north of Sydney and 175 point. The region boasts beautiful beaches, kilometres south of Brisbane. Airports are unspoilt surroundings and a relaxed lifestyle. located in Ballina (30 minutes south) or Byron Bay offers a range of adventure sports, Coolangatta (60 minutes north) and buses and dining, accommodation and live entertainment. trains arrive regularly. Most bus companies located on the east coast of Australia have a Harvest Trail Services provider regular service to Byron Bay. There is also a daily rail/coach transfer service to Byron Bay. MADEC Australia Suite 103 – 105, 24 Moonee Street Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 0429 526 734 [email protected] Where can I stay? www.madec.edu.au There is a wide variety of places to stay in and Harvest Trail Information Service around Byron Bay. Accommodation includes 1800 062 332 motels, guesthouses, B&Bs, farmstays, www.harvesttrail.gov.au backpackers hostels, self contained apartments, and caravan parks/camping grounds. Places to visit

Byron Bay Markets, Cape Byron Lighthouse, Tyagarah . Snorkle and Dive Byron Bay’s Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, watch the whale migration (August to October), embark on a sea kayaking safari through the reefs and shipwrecks, explore the surf beaches and enjoy the events and festivals.

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COFFS HARBOUR Park Beach Plaza 253 Pacific Highway Coffs Harbour is one of the largest regional Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 cities in New South Wales, located 540 02 6652 4366 kilometres north of Sydney and 350 kilometres www.coffscoast.com.au south of Brisbane. The region boasts contrasting landscapes, from the Great Dividing Range Coffs Central flourishing with banana plantations to the three 35-61 Harbour Drive main beaches close to the CBD of Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 02 5622 8900 The natural beauty of the region makes for an www.coffscoast.com.au inviting holiday destination with surfing, golfing and fishing popular activities. When should I go there? Approximately 40 kilometres north of January - December: Bananas Coffs Harbour at Corindi lies one of the June - December: Avocados largest blueberry plantations in the July - January: Blueberries Southern Hemisphere.

Harvest Trail Services provider How do I get there? MADEC Australia Coffs Harbour has the largest regional airport Suite 103 – 105, 24 Moonee Street in NSW. Airlines operate regular flights from Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Newcastle. 0429 526 734 The drive from Sydney to Coffs Harbour is [email protected] approximately six hours or 550 kilometres. www.madec.edu.au Brisbane to Coffs Harbour is approximately a five hour drive or 427 kilometres. Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 There are two rail services daily from Sydney www.harvesttrail.gov.au and Brisbane to Coffs Harbour. Most bus companies located on the east coast of Australia Places to visit have a regular service to Coffs Harbour Clog Barn, Emerald Beach, Diggers Beach, Bunker Cartoon Gallery, North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, Big Banana, Old Butter Factory, Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, Maze and Tea Where can I stay? Rooms, and Dolphin Marine Magic. Coffs Harbour and the surrounding area has a Tourist information wide range of accommodation options including hotels, caravan parks, camping Dolphin Marine Magic grounds, motels, backpacker hostels, B&Bs, 65 Orlando Street country retreats, and apartments. Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

02 6659 1900 www.coffscoast.com.au

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DUBBO How do I get there? The City of Dubbo is situated on the banks of Dubbo is 412 kilometres to the north west the Macquarie River in the Central Western of Sydney via the Mid Western Highway to Plains of NSW, 412 kilometres to the north west Bathurst, and then the Mitchell Highway to of Sydney. Dubbo is the centre of a large wheat Dubbo. Regular rail, bus, and air services operate and sheep industry. Work opportunities exist in daily from Sydney. There is no local public the cotton industry in the surrounding towns. transport to farms in the area. Tourism is well featured through the Western

Plains Zoo and the Old Dubbo Gaol. Most of the work is carried out in the summer, which can be extremely hot. Where can I stay? Harvest Trail Services provider There are many hotels, motels, B&Bs, caravan parks and cabins in town. Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au

Places to visit EUSTON Western Plains Zoo, Old Dubbo Gaol, Located on the banks of the , Heritage Walk, Dubbo Regional Gallery, 400 kilometres north west of Melbourne, Heritage Drive, The Claypan Gallery, 960 kilometres south west of Sydney and Dundullimal Homestead, Dubbo Observatory, 550 kilometres north east of Adelaide. and the Terramungamine Reserve. Euston is immediately across the Murray River from Robinvale. Tourist information Dubbo Visitors Information Centre Harvest Trail Services provider Cnr and Macquarie Street MADEC Australia Dubbo NSW 2830 68 – 72 Herbert Street 02 6801 4450 Robinvale Vic 3549 [email protected] 03 5051 8080 www.visitnsw.com/destinations/ [email protected] country-nsw/dubbo-area/dubbo/ www.madec.edu.au visitor-information-centres/dubbo- visitors-information-centre Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 When should I go there? www.harvesttrail.gov.au April - May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning Places to visit Lock and Weir 15, Fish Ladder and Lake Benanee.

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Tourist information town; with cycle and walkways, BBQ facilities, amenities and parks. The gold rush history is Robinvale Euston Tourist information Centre proudly revealed including the deeds of Bromley Road infamous bushrangers Ben Hall and the Robinvale Vic 3549 Gardiner Gang, who are well known for their 03 5026 1388 daring robbery of a stage coach at Escort Rock [email protected] in 1862. Following the gold rush the region www.robinvaleeuston.com.au resumed its importance with vibrant pastoral and dairy industries and some horticulture. When should I go there? January - May: Grapes Harvest Trail Services provider May - February: Vegetables Cozwine Pty Ltd May - September: Vine pruning Shop 5, 201 – 205 Howick Street Bathurst NSW 2795 How do I get there? 02 7201 8888 [email protected] Euston is accessible by road via the Hume and www.cozwine.com.au , 960 kilometres from Sydney via the Sturt Highway, 400 kilometres from Harvest Trail Information Service Melbourne via the Calder Highway, and 550 1800 062 332 kilometres from Adelaide. Daily bus services www.harvesttrail.gov.au between the capital cities travel via Euston. Places to visit

Forbes Railway Arts and Visitor Information Centre, Forbes and District Historical Museum, Forbes Town Hall and Post Office, McFeeters Where can I stay? Motor Museum, Gum Swamp Bird Hide, Forbes General Cemetery (grave sites of Ben Hall and There are motels, hotels and caravan parks Kate Foster – Ned Kelly’s sister), Weddin in town. Mountains National Park (Ben Hall’s cave), Escort Rock (gold robbery site), (located in neighbouring town ).

FORBES Tourist information On the Newell Highway, Forbes is nestled on Forbes Railway Arts & Visitor the in the heart of the Lachlan Information Centre Valley, 386 kilometres west of Sydney. Founded Railway Station, Union Street in 1817 by explorer John Oxley, the historic Forbes NSW 2871 town is now celebrated for its magnificent 02 6852 4155 heritage buildings and natural environment. [email protected] The beautiful Lake Forbes is the gateway to the www.forbes.nsw.gov.au

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When should I go there? Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 October - March: Stonefruit www.harvesttrail.gov.au May - August: Pruning November - December: Cherries Places to visit

How do I get there? River walks, Gol Gol Hotel and Resaturant. Forbes is 386 kilometres west of Sydney Tourist information following the to Bathurst. It is 175 kilometres west of Bathurst, Wentworth Visitor Information Centre via Orange and Eugowra. A bus service travels 66 Darling Street from Sydney to Forbes via Orange daily. Regular Wentworth NSW 2648 daily bus services also operate from Melbourne 03 5027 5080 to Brisbane via Forbes, following the Newell [email protected] Highway. Forbes is 120 kilometres south of www.visitwentworth.com.au Dubbo and 105 kilometres north east of West Wyalong. An air service operates from Sydney When should I go there? to nearby Parkes each day. January - May: Grape picking May - January: Citrus May - February: Vegetables May - September: Vine pruning Where can I stay? September - January: Asparagus There are many hotels, motels, B&Bs and How do I get there? caravan parks in town. Some limited camping facilities may be available on some farms but it Gol Gol is accessible by road 1025 kilometres would be wise to ask the farmer first. from Sydney via the Hume and Sturt Highways, 560 kilometres on the Calder Highway from

Melbourne and 450 kilometres on the Sturt Highway from Adelaide. There are daily flights from Melbourne and GOL GOL Adelaide into Mildura, as well as daily bus Gol Gol is a small settlement located on the services between capital cities. banks of the Murray River just 10 kilometres north east of Mildura.

Harvest Trail Services provider Where can I stay? MADEC Australia 126-130 Deakin Avenue There are motels, hotels, backpacker hostels and Mildura Vic 3500 caravan parks and camping grounds in town or 03 5021 3472 in nearby Mildura. [email protected] www.madec.edu.au

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GRIFFITH When should I go? Griffith is located 635 kilometres west of Sydney January – December: Citrus following the , Sturt Highway January – April: Grape picking and Irrigation Way. Griffith is the geographic, June – August: Vine pruning production, and industrial hub of the rich November – March: Onions Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) in central NSW. Australia’s largest citrus producing area, How do I get there? the MIA produces over 230,000 tonnes of citrus Griffith is well serviced with daily bus services each year. A large viticultural area, it produces from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Regular more than 20 per cent of Australia’s wine. Rice daily air services operate from Sydney. Weekly has also become a significant crop in the region. rail services operate from both Sydney and Griffith is Australia’s largest poultry and egg Melbourne. producer as well as significant amounts of stone fruit, cotton, sheep, wool, canola, fruit and vegetables including gherkins for the McDonald’s franchises. Where can I stay? Harvest Trail Services provider Griffith has a number of hotels, motels, caravan MADEC Australia and cabin parks, and backpacker hostels. Shop 3, 104 Yambil Street Griffith NSW 2680 02 6963 2200 [email protected] www.madec.edu.au HAY Harvest Trail Information Service Positioned alongside the charming 1800 062 332 , Hay is located 735 www.harvesttrail.gov.au kilometres from Sydney and 410 kilometres from Melbourne. It is at the intersection of three Places to visit highways—the Sturt Highway, the , and the Mid-Western Highway. With , Scenic Hill and Pioneer its well renowned flat, open plains, the road to Park Museum, Lookout and Hermit’s Cave, MIA Hay is certainly an eye opener. Forest and River Drives, wineries, galleries, and farm tours. Harvest Trail Services provider Tourist information MADEC Australia Shop 3, 104 Yambil Street Griffith Visitor Information Centre Griffith NSW 2680 1 Jondaryan Avenue 02 6963 2200 Griffith NSW 2680 [email protected] 1800 681 141 www.madec.edu.au [email protected] www.visitnsw.com/destinations/ Harvest Trail Information Service country-nsw//griffith/visitor- 1800 062 332 information-centres/griffith-visitor- www.harvesttrail.gov.au information-centre

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Places to visit HILLSTON The Hay Gaol Museum, Shear Outback Hall of Hillston is located near the Lachlan River, but Fame, the Historic Bishops Lodge, Hay Railway importantly on top of the Great Artesian Basin. Station, Hay Court House and the ‘Sunbeam’ The excellent quality artesian water has allowed Cobb & Co Coach, Hay War Memorial High orange growing to flourish. Cotton and other School Museum, Chris McClellend Art Gallery, fruit are also produced in the area. Dunera Museum. Harvest Trail Services provider Tourist information MADEC Australia Hay Visitor Information Centre Shop 3, 104 Yambil Street 407 Moppett Street Griffith NSW 2680 Hay NSW 2711 02 6963 2200 02 6993 4045 [email protected] [email protected] www.madec.edu.au www.visithay.com.au Harvest Trail Information Service When should I go? 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au March – December: Vegetables January – March: Melon Places to visit April – May: Cotton Hillston Museum, , Lake How do I get there? Woorabinda, Hughie Cameron Park (Swing Bridge). If you are not driving, there are a number of different ways to get to Hay. These include coach travel from both Sydney and Melbourne Tourist information and the train from Sydney that runs through to Red Dust and Paddy Melons Gallery and then connecting with a coach to Visitor Information Centre Hay. Alternatively there is the train from 170 High Street Melbourne which goes through to Hillston NSW 2675 Cootamundra and coach connection to Hay. 02 6967 1594 A coach and train also operate from Adelaide [email protected] and coach travel from Canberra. www..nsw.gov.au

When should I go? April – June: Cotton Where can I stay? June – September: Potatoes October – August: Citrus There are motels, hotels, caravan parks, B&B November: Cherries accommodation, farm stays in and around the November – December: Onions Hay area.

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How do I get there? Harvest Trail Services provider Hillston is 682 kilometres west of Sydney via the Cozwine Pty Ltd Mid Western Highway and Kidman Way, and Cessnock NSW 2325 109 kilometres north west of Griffith. There is no 02 7201 8888 public transport to or around Hillston. [email protected] www.cozwine.com.au

Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 Where can I stay? www.harvesttrail.gov.au Hillston is supported by hotels, motels and a Places to visit caravan park, all in High Street. Ogishi Craft Centre, Hunter Valley Cheese Co, Hunter Valley Gardens, Binnorie Dairy, Matilda Bay Brewhouse Hunter Valley, Potters Hotel and Brewery, and Hunter Valley Zoo. HUNTER VALLEY Tourist information The Hunter Valley in New South Wales is located in the Hunter River Basin some 150 kilometres Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre to the north of Sydney and 60 kilometres inland 455 Wine Country Drive from the Pacific Coast. Pokolbin NSW 2320 02 4993 6700 The Hunter Valley stretches from the Goulburn [email protected] River and to the south, www.huntervalleyvisitorcentre.com.au right up to Barrington Tops National Park to the north. When should I go? Not only does the Hunter boast wonderful January – March: Grapes scenery, it is also home to large wine and June – September: Vine pruning coal industries. How do I get there? The Hunter has one of the oldest and most famous wine regions in Australia. It boasts many By road from Sydney proceed north from the of the large names in wine including Lindeman’s CBD via the Harbour Bridge or tunnel. Follow Wine, Tyrell’s Vineyards, and Wyndham Estate. the signs ‘Newcastle and North Coast’ onto the There are plenty of attractions in the Hunter Pacific Highway, exiting to Pacific Motorway Valley to suit every taste, from horse riding and (M1) at Wahroonga. Leave the M1 at exit sign golf to hot air ballooning and sky diving, all set posted ‘Kurri Kurri Cessnock’, approximately 105 amongst wonderful landscapes. kilometres from the Harbour Bridge and follow the signs to Cessnock. Daily flights to Newcastle are available from Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, and some regional centres. Rail

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services also operate on a daily basis from Places to visit Sydney through Broadmeadow (Newcastle), Maitland, and Singleton. Buses operate daily Leeton’s Art Deco Architecture, Chelmsford from Sydney direct to the Hunter Valley. Place, Hydro Hotel, the Court House, local parks and reserves, Murrumbidgee River locations, Agricultural High School, Yanco Powerhouse Museum, and Yanco Weir.

Where can I stay? Tourist information There is a wide choice of hotels, motels, Leeton Visitors Information Centre backpacker hostels, caravan and cabin parks, 10 Yanco Avenue B&Bs, and farmstays. Leeton NSW 2705 02 6953 6481

[email protected] www.leetontourism.com.au

LEETON When should I go? Leeton is the administrative hub of the massive January – December: Citrus picking Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) with many and packing reminders of Sir Samuel McCaughey, whose February – March: Grape picking vision created the Murrumbidgee irrigation September – May: Vegetables scheme. Walter Burley Griffin design, Leeton is November – April: Stone fruit known for its historic architecture, horticulture, How do I get there? extensive rice farms, processing facilities, art deco buildings and plentiful, wide open Leeton is 595 kilometres by road from Sydney parklands in town. via the Hume and Sturt Highways and Irrigation Way from . It is located 84 kilometres Harvest Trail Services provider south east of Griffith and 29 kilometres north west of Narrandera on Irrigation Way. Leeton is MADEC Australia accessible by rail and bus daily from Sydney. Shop 3, 104 Yambil Street Griffith NSW 2680 02 6963 2200 [email protected] www.madec.edu.au Where can I stay? Harvest Trail Information Service There are hotels, motels, guest houses, B&Bs, 1800 062 332 caravan parks with camping facilities, and www.harvesttrail.gov.au backpacker hostels in town. Some farms may also have provision for camping on-site.

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LISMORE How do I get there? Lismore is located 40 kilometres inland from Lismore is located on the , Byron Bay between the rainforests and the sea. 225 kilometres south of Brisbane and It is the region’s major commercial centre that 800 kilometres north of Sydney. The Ballina/ plays host to significant theatrical, artistic and Byron Bay Coast is a short half-hour drive away. musical activities. Speciality coffee and tea, There is a regular air service between Lismore macadamia nuts, bush tucker, and exotic fruits and Sydney and also a daily bus service from are all on offer throughout the region. Lismore to Brisbane and Sydney.

Harvest Trail Services provider MADEC Australia Suite 103 – 105, 24 Moonee Street Where can I stay? Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 0429 526 734 You will find an excellent choice of hotels, [email protected] motels, B&Bs, apartments, backpacker hostels www.madec.edu.au and caravan parks. These properties are conveniently located in the centre of town Places to visit and on the main highway. Koala Care Centre, Protesters Falls, Lismore Regional Gallery, Rain Forest Walks, Serpentine Gallery, Regional Gallery, Nightcap – World Heritage National Park, , art MOREE galleries, weekend markets including the famous Channon Craft Market, a variety of The town of Moree is located adjacent to the restaurants and live theatre. banks of the Mehi River. Its open, flat flood-plain black soils provide ideal growing conditions for Tourist information wheat and other cereals, cotton, oil seed crops and in more recent times, pecan nuts and olives. Lismore Visitor Information Centre Australia’s ‘Artesian Spa’ capital, Moree has two Corner of Molesworth Street and Ballina Road hot artesian spas (bore baths) in town, Lismore NSW 2480 providing a great tourist attraction for the area 02 6626 0100 as well. [email protected] www.visitlismore.com.au Harvest Trail Services provider When should I go? BEST Harvest Trail Services 19 Street June – November: Avocados Stanthorpe QLD 4380 April – September: Macadamia nuts 1800 660 660 or 07 4681 6200 June – September: Custard apples [email protected] September – December: Stone fruit www.best.com.au October – December: Coffee July – January: Blueberries

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Harvest Trail Information Service MUNGINDI 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au Mungindi is a true border town situated both in NSW and Queensland on the banks of the Places to visit Barwon River. The town is the service centre for the surrounding rich agricultural district which Moree Artesian Spa Baths (hot bore baths), produces cotton, wheat and beef cattle. Visitor Centre, historic walking trail, Moree Plains Gallery, Cotton Gin, Amaroo Tavern DC3, Mary Harvest Trail Services provider Brand Park, historic cemetery, weirs and swimming spots, Waa Gorge, Devil’s Waterholes, BEST Harvest Trail Services and the pecan nut farm. 19 Victoria Street Stanthorpe Qld 4380 Tourist information 1800 660 660 or 07 4681 6200 [email protected] Moree Visitor Information Centre www.best.com.au Crn Alice St and Victoria Terrace Moree NSW 2400 Harvest Trail Information Service 02 6757 3350 1800 062 332 [email protected] www.harvesttrail.gov.au www.moreetourism.com.au Places to visit When should I go? Cotton Gins, One Ton Post. March – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning April – August: Olives, pecan nuts Tourist information How do I get there? Mungindi Rural Transaction Centre 153 St George Street Moree is 628 kilometres north west of Sydney Mungindi NSW 2400 on the New England, Oxley and Newell 02 6753 2389 Highways and 444 kilometres south west of [email protected] Brisbane via the Cunningham and Newell www.balonne.qld.gov.au Highways. It is on the daily bus route from Brisbane to Melbourne and there are daily When should I go? flights from Sydney. March – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning

How do I get there? Mungindi is 567 kilometres south west of Where can I stay? Brisbane following the Cunningham, Newell There are many hotels, motels and caravan and Carnarvon Highways. It is located 121 parks located in town. kilometres north west of Moree, 116 kilometres south east of St George and 149 kilometres south west of Goondawindi. There is no regular public transport to Mungindi.

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Where can I stay? How do I get there? There is hotel and caravan park accommodation Narrabri is 568 kilometres north west of Sydney available. following the Mid Western, Mitchell, Oxley and Newell Highways via Bathurst, Dubbo and

Coonabarabran. Narrabri is on the national bus routes and there are also train services and daily air fares from Sydney. NARRABRI Narrabri is situated in the fertile Namoi River Valley on the of the Great Dividing Range. The peaks of the Mount Kaputar Where can I stay? National Park lie to the east while vast plains spread to the west. The area produces cotton, There’s an abundance of accommodation in wheat, sheep and cattle. town with hotels, motels, caravan parks, guest houses and a backpacker hostel. Harvest Trail Services provider Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au NARROMINE Places to visit Narromine is 40 kilometres west of Dubbo and located on the rich fertile plains of the Central Mount Kaputar National Park, CSIRO’s Australia West on the banks of the Macquarie River. The Telescope, Sawn Rocks, Rocky Creek Glacial area, wheat and sheep industries are significant and Waa Gorge, the Crossing Theatre, Pilliga Hot irrigation from the Macquarie allows the Artesian Bore Baths, Old Gaol Heritage Museum production of cotton, citrus and vegetables in and Narrabri Arts and Craft Gallery. the region.

Tourist information Harvest Trail Services provider Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre Harvest Trail Information Service 117 Tibbereena Street, Narrabri 2390 1800 062 332 Narrabri NSW 2390 www.harvesttrail.gov.au 02 6799 6760 [email protected] Places to visit www.visitnarrabri.com.au Historical Museum, Narromine Cottage Crafts, When should I go? historic country pubs, Narromine Aerodrome, Skypark and Aviation Museum, The Lime Grove, April – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning and .

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Tourist information ranges from a mild summer to a very cold winter. Harvest workers are advised to dress for Narromine Visitor Information Centre cold conditions that may include a light snow 37 Burraway Street fall in winter. Narromine NSW 2821 02 6889 7131 Harvest Trail Services provider [email protected] www.narromine.nsw.gov.au Cozwine Pty Ltd Shop 5, 201 – 205 Howick Street When should I go? Bathurst NSW 2795 02 7201 8888 January – December: Citrus [email protected] April – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning www.cozwine.com.au How do I get there? Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 Narromine is 452 kilometres north west of www.harvesttrail.gov.au Sydney following the Mid Western Highway to Bathurst and then the Mitchell Highway Places to visit through Dubbo to Narromine. There is also a coach service from Sydney to Dubbo, through Orange farmer’s markets, local cellar doors, to Narromine. Orange Botanic Gardens, Cook Park, Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area, Lake

Canobolas Reserve, Ophir Gold Fields, Ophir Reserve, Banjo Paterson Memorial, boutique and antique shops, Orange Regional Gallery and Where can I stay? Library. There are many hotels, motels, guest houses, and caravan parks in town. Tourist information Orange Visitor Information Centre 151 Byng Street, Civic Centre Orange NSW 2800 02 6393 8225 ORANGE [email protected] Located just three and a half hours west of www.visitorange.com.au Sydney and three hours north west of Canberra, When should I go? Orange is a cosmopolitan city that has evolved from its rich mining past. The historic buildings February – May: Apples and cultural streets in Orange are intertwined Feburary – April: Grapes with trendy cafes, restaurants, theatres and June – August: Vine pruning galleries. The city offers food and wine November – January: Cherries adventures, art and heritage and a wealth of harvest work opportunities in the apple, grape and cherry industries. The climate in Orange

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How do I get there? Places to visit Access to Orange is easy with daily direct flights Camden Museum, botanical gardens, parks, from Sydney. Daily coach and rail services also wineries, Sydney. operate from Sydney to Orange and there is excellent road access. Orange is located 256 Tourist information kilometres west of Sydney on the Mitchell Highway. Camden Visitor Information Centre 46 Elderslie NSW 2570 02 4658 1370 [email protected] Where can I stay? www.camden.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/ visit-camden The city of Orange boasts a wide variety of accommodation to suit any budget. There are Campbelltown Visitor Information Centre hotels, motels, caravan parks, and B&B 15 Old Menangle Road guesthouses. Some orchards also provide Campbelltown NSW 2560 camping facilities on site. 02 4645 4921 [email protected] www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au When should I go? SYDNEY BASIN January – December: Vegetables, flower and turf production The Sydney Basin is a large area which February – April: Apples surrounds the city of Sydney, between the Blue August – November: Citrus Mountains and the sea, expanding south November – January: Stone fruit toward Goulburn and north toward Newcastle. December – February: Avocados The Sydney Basin consists of several large horticultural areas which include Macarthur, How do I get there? Hawkesbury, Bilpin and the Central Coast. Most of the Sydney Basin is accessible by coach, Weather conditions in the Sydney Basin can rail, and bus. However in most cases you will change drastically and rapidly. Always ensure need your own transport. that you wear clothing which gives protection from the weather and the working environment.

Harvest Trail Services provider Where can I stay? Harvest Trail Information Service There are many hotels, motels, and caravan 1800 062 332 parks in and around the Sydney Basin. www.harvesttrail.gov.au

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TOOLEYBUC Highways, 800 kilometres from Sydney via the Hume and Sturt Highways and 500 kilometres Tooleybuc is located on the Murray River 40 north east of Adelaide via the Sturt Highway. kilometres to the north of Swan Hill and 54 Swan Hill is the transport hub for the area, kilometres south of . Irrigation serviced daily by rail and bus. There is no regular supports mixed horticulture in the area. public transport to Tooleybuc. Harvest Trail Services provider MADEC Australia 186-188 Beveridge Street Where can I stay? Swan Hill Vic 3585 03 5033 0025 Hotel, motel and caravan park accommodation [email protected] are available in town. www.madec.edu.au

Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au TRANGIE Places to visit Trangie is located in the Macquarie River Valley, 35 kilometres north west of Narromine amongst Tooleybuc Sporting Club. a huge wheat and sheep area. Irrigation supports large areas of cotton production. Tourist information Swan Hill Region Information Centre Harvest Trail Services provider Corner of McCrae and Curlewis Streets Harvest Trail Information Service Swan Hill Vic 3585 1800 062 332 1800 625 373 www.harvesttrail.gov.au [email protected] www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/discover/ Places to visit visiting-swan-hill/swan-hill-information- centre Auscott cotton Gin, Soldiers Trangie Memorial, and Gin Gin Weir. When should I go? January – May: Grapes Tourist information May – January: Citrus Narromine Visitor Information Centre May – February: Vegetables 37 Burraway Street May – September: Vine pruning Narromine NSW 2821 December – February: Stone fruit 02 6889 7131 [email protected] How do I get there? www.narromine.nsw.gov.au Tooleybuc is located 350 kilometres north of Melbourne via the Calder and Loddon

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When should I go? Places to visit April – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning Pioneer Women’s Hut, , Hume and Hovell Walking Track, Boggy Creek Show, How do I get there? Tooma (magnificent views of the Snowy Mountains), Buddong Falls, Tumbarumba Trangie is north west of Sydney, Narromine and Vineyards, Gone Barny, trout fishing, Kosciusko Dubbo. Dubbo is the main transport hub and is National Park, , Rosewood and serviced by air, rail, and bus daily. Trangie is Tumbarumba Golf Courses. accessible via rail then bus. Tourist information Tumbarumba Visitor Information Centre 10 Bridge Street Where can I stay? Tumbarumba NSW 2653 There is hotel, motel and caravan park 02 6948 3333 accommodation in town. [email protected] www.tumbarumbaregion.com.au

When should I go? January – April: Grapes TUMBARUMBA March – May: Apples June – September: Vine pruning Tumbarumba is situated 511 kilometres south December – April: Berries west of Sydney and 462 kilometres north east of Melbourne, among the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains, and a short distance from How do I get there? the Hume Highway. The Tumbarumba Shire From Sydney take the Hume Highway as far as includes the towns of Khancoban, Rosewood, , then head south towards Tumut and Laurel Hill and . The Murray River forms on to Tumbarumba. From Melbourne take the the Shire’s southern boundary. Hume Highway to Wodonga, then head east along the . After Tumbarumba is situated in the Snowy Corryong, take the Towong turn-off and head Mountains region. As well as the sensible for Tumbarumba. requirements of a hat and coat, it is wise to have some fingerless gloves and a jumper just in case there is a cold snap.

Harvest Trail Services provider Where can I stay? Harvest Trail Information Service Tumbarumba has hotels, motel, caravan park, 1800 062 332 bed and breakfast accommodation, and a www.harvesttrail.gov.au couple of free camping areas. For details contact the Visitor Information Centre.

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TUMUT Where can I stay? Tumut is located in the south eastern corner of The township provides a wide variety of quality New South Wales. The name of the town is accommodation including a range of fine derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘a caravan parks, motels, holiday flats and bed and quiet resting place by the river’. The population breakfast establishments. of Tumut exceeds 6000 and the town boasts a modern cosmopolitan feel with an excellent range of facilities and shops.

Harvest Trail Services provider WARREN Harvest Trail Information Service Warren is located on the banks of the Macquarie 1800 062 332 River, in central New South Wales. Known as the www.harvesttrail.gov.au ‘Cotton and Wool’ capital, it also supports a large wheat industry. Places to visit Harvest Trail Services provider Bonnie B’s Shaker Shed, Markets, Montreal Theatre, Pioneer Cemetery, Tumut Museum. Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 Tourist information www.harvesttrail.gov.au

Tumut Visitor Centre Places to visit The Old Butter Factory 5 Adelong Road Bird watching at the Macquarie Marshes and Tumut NSW 2720 Tiger Bay Wetlands, fishing at the Macquarie 02 6947 7025 River, Windows on the Wetlands, Golf at the [email protected] Warren Golf Club, country pubs at Collie, www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to- Nevertire and Warren, country events: four do/visitor-centres/tumut-visitor-centre horse race meetings a year, and the Marra Fleece and Field Day. When should I go? Tourist information February – May: Apples Warren Visitor Information Centre How do I get there? 6 Burton Street Warren NSW 2824 Tumut is situated on the Snowy Mountains 02 6847 6665 Highway, half way between Sydney and [email protected] Melbourne. The town is easily accessible with a www.warren.nsw.gov.au driving time of four and a half hours from Sydney and five and a half hours from When should I go? Melbourne. April – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning

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How do I get there? Tourist information Warren is 129 kilometres north east of Dubbo Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre via the Mitchell and Oxley Highways. A rail 117 Tibbereena Street, Narrabri service operates daily from Sydney to Dubbo. Narrabri NSW 2390 A bus service departs Dubbo for Warren 3 days 02 6799 6760 per week and there is another bus service which [email protected] operates daily but only travels to Nevertire, www.visitnarrabri.com.au 20 kilometres from Warren. Qantas Link and Regional Express fly to and from Dubbo over When should I go? 100 times per week. Rental cars can be arranged at Dubbo Airport. April – May: Cotton picking, cotton ginning How do I get there? Wee Waa is 41 kilometres north west of Narrabri and 572 kilometres north west of Where can I stay? Sydney via the Mid Western, Mitchell, Oxley There are motels, hotels, caravan parks and and Newell Highways. Narrabri is the transport farmstays available in town. hub of the area.

WEE WAA Where can I stay? There are hotels, motels and caravan parks Wee Waa, the ‘cotton’ capital of Australia, is in town. located in the fertile Namoi River Valley. Large service operations support the district’s cotton production through the Namoi Cotton and the Cotton Seed Distributors.

Harvest Trail Services provider Harvest Trail Information Service 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au

Places to visit Heritage buildings, CSIRO’s Australia Telescope, Yarrie Lake, Pilliga scrub, and Namoi Echo Museum.

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WENTWORTH Tourist information Wentworth lies at the junction of the Darling Wentworth Visitor Information Centre and Murray Rivers. The hub of a large pastoral 66 Darling Street area to the North, the area surrounding both Wentworth NSW 2648 rivers, provides a wide range of opportunities 03 5027 5080 for horticultural crops with large areas of citrus [email protected] and grapes, particularly wine grapes. www.visitwentworth.com.au

Buronga is located immediately across the When should I go? Murray River from Mildura (Vic) in the Sunraysia region. The area includes Gol Gol, Trentham Cliffs, January – May: Grapes Monak and Paringi. Dareton is the centre of the May – January: Citrus Coomealla irrigation area, a large horticultural May – February: Vegetables development which was used to resettle many May – September: Vine pruning ex-servicemen following WWII, mostly growing September – January: Asparagus grapes and citrus. It is located on the Murray River between Mildura and Wentworth. Dareton How do I get there? is 15 kilometres east of Wentworth and 28 Wentworth can be reached by road, kilometres north west of Mildura. 1080 kilometres south west from Sydney Harvest Trail Services provider via the Hume, Sturt and Silver City Highways, 560 kilometres north west from Melbourne via MADEC Australia the Calder and Silver City Highways and 126 – 130 Deakin Avenue 450 kilometres north east of Adelaide via the Mildura Vic 3500 Sturt and Silver City Highways. There are daily 03 5021 3472 air services to Mildura from Melbourne and [email protected] Adelaide and daily bus services from Sydney, www.madec.edu.au Melbourne and Adelaide. A weekday bus service operates between Mildura and Places to visit Wentworth. Murray and Darling Rivers’ Junction, , St John’s Anglican Church, Wentworth Court House, Aboriginal Canoe Tree, Wentworth Museum, Monument to Ferguson Tractor, Lock Where can I stay? 10 and Weir, Fotherby Park, PS Ruby, , Australian Inland Botanical There are motels, hotels, caravan and cabin Gardens, Trentham Estate Winery, Orange World parks, B&Bs in town. Many farms have basic and Cowanna Bend. accommodation available or provide camping facilities for on farm stays.

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YOUNG How do I get there? Young, the cherry capital of Australia, is situated Young is 376 kilometres west of Sydney following on the NSW of the Great the Hume Highway, the Wombat Road and the Dividing Range. Formerly an active gold mining . It is 71 kilometres south west centre, the region now supports a diverse range of Cowra and 47 kilometres north east of of agriculture including broadacre crop Cootamundra on the Olympic Highway. There is production, livestock production as well as a Countrylink rail service daily from Sydney or horticulture, with cherries, plums, grapes, stone Melbourne to Cootamundra with a connecting fruit and berries being important. bus service to Young. There is also a bus service that runs from Canberra through to Young. Harvest Trail Services provider Cozwine Pty Ltd Shop 5, 201 – 205 Howick Street Bathurst NSW 2795 Where can I stay? 02 7201 8888 [email protected] Young has various hotels and motels, a caravan www.cozwine.com.au park, and some orchards provide camping facilities. There is also a variety of B&Bs and Harvest Trail Information Service self-contained cottages in the area. 1800 062 332 www.harvesttrail.gov.au

Places to visit Historic town walks, Burrangong Art Gallery, numerous roadside fruit stalls (seasonal), local wineries, Lambing Flat Folk Museum, Poppa’s Fudge and Jam Factory.

Tourist information Young Visitor Information Centre Old Railway Station, Anderson Park, Lovell St Young NSW 2594 02 6382 3394 [email protected] www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

When should I go? February – April: Stone fruit, grapes, berries June – September: Vine pruning November – December: Cherries

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