It’s a fair old trip to drive to Millthorpe in New South Wales but the destination and its surrounds are well worth the effort.
It’s an old gold mining town, between Bathurst and Orange, that was overlooked for more than 100 years.
Now its original, locally made, brick buildings are well-maintained and enhanced.
In fact the small township is picture perfect.
There are several different ways to get there and back, via Wagga Wagga or Griffith, and more.
I make the trip quite often and usually explore a new route in one direction having noticed that some roads and views are best enjoyed from a certain perspective.
Sometimes I just want to get there.
For example, if I drive up to Jugiong for lunch and then take the Harden Road to Young and Cowra I will only do that going north.
Similarly, I only take the Crookwell Road coming home.
After my most recent trip I will now regularly drive home via Orange, Cargo, Canowindra and Cowra, it’s slower but so pretty.
This road takes you through Orange’s wine area ,with Lake Conobolas with its reservoir high to the left.
Historic Canowindra is known for its fossilised fish discoveries and hot air ballooning.
A little detour will take you to Eugowra Rocks where Frank Gardiner and his gang, including Ben Hall, held up the stage coach heading for Bathurst in 1862.
Most of the banknotes and 5509oz of gold have never been recovered.
As you enter Cowra, the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre turn-off is also on the left.
This wonderful site was a friendship rebuilding project following the closure of a prisoner of war camp established during WWII.
It’s wonderful at any time but Spring and Autumn are especially busy.
I usually stay in Millthorpe for several days with family and make special day trips from there.
The highlight recently was going to Antica in Carcoar, another forgotten gold mining town, not far away.
Antica is recognised as one of the best regional eateries in Australia.
It is tiny, a BYO, only open at weekends. You must pre-book and prepay.
They say they are not a restaurant but provide an eating experience that brings the ‘soul of regional Italy to the heart of rural Australia’. It achieved that in spades.
We also went to Slow Wine in Millthorpe for the best tapas meal you could have anywhere.
Time didn’t permit going to Tonic, also in Millthorpe, a restaurant that won a ‘chef’s cap’ years ago.
It is only open Thursday - Sunday, but phone and discuss special opportunities like their long lunch (02 6366 3811).
You know by now that I love to shop and some of my favourite places like Trade Caravan, Millthorpe Blue and Tomolly, in Carcoar, never disappoint.
But always check opening hours as these little tourist towns are not open everyday.
Great coffee, however, is available every day.
Sometimes the best things are under your nose, the Golden Memories Millthorpe Museum is one that I only visited after a Victorian friend raved about it.
But I have visited Ballarat Art Gallery and nearby Sofala, and Hill End, which are also old gold mining towns, but with a rich art community.
The Russell Drysdale painted ‘The Cricketers’ is there.
We love Orange and Banjo Patterson. How surprising that he came from the district and his small family home is now preserved in the Orange Botanic Gardens.
Day trips are endless and rewarding no matter where you start them.
– Suzie Pearce