Destination Go local
What can you do with $500 and a full tank? Spend a weekend exploring beautiful surrounds, and escape the hustle and bustle of your daily routine.
Five things to do
1. Enjoy: The drive. The small town of Oberon is the destination but it’s what you do along the way that makes the trip especially memorable. Set off early in the day to allow time for a detour to Lincoln’s Rock lookout in Wentworth Falls. Soak up the view and admire the Aboriginal shelters and engravings in the area. Better still, catch the sunset then dine at one of the local restaurants in nearby Leura.
2. Stay: Jenolan Cabins offer basic room amenities so if you want to add a bit of glam to your itinerary, bring your own artisan tea or coffee grind and throw your plush pillows and blankets in the boot. Perched on a hill, the cabins offer stunning views that are sure to make you forget about the thread count. As at July, the Jenolan Caves are still closed but the walking tracks are open. You can also spend the day horse-riding, trail-bike riding or gathering mushrooms in the pine forest near the cabins.
3. Wander: You don’t have to be a garden enthusiast to appreciate the natural beauty of Mayfield Garden. Spend a day meandering through the magnificent oak, maple, birch and beech trees. Feast your eyes on the expansive water-lily-covered pond, which is reminiscent of a Monet painting. If you time your visit right, you can also take a peek at Hawkins’
Family Garden where the impressive Mayfield Maze is straight out of a Hollywood period movie.
4. Drink: Coffee. Forget chai latte, beetroot latte has made its way to Cafe Aliment, a cafe and burger joint just across from Wentworth Falls train station. Housed in the former post office building, Café Aliment promises delicious gourmet burgers including one called ‘The Lamb Before Time’. For coffee, the beans are sourced from Penrith-based Underground Coffee Roasters. Choice of blend: oozing with chocolate and rich caramel flavour.
5. Photograph: How many of us have fancy cameras or already own mobile phones that have photography features we never use? This is your chance to boldly go where very few have gone before: the manual aperture and depth of field settings of your lens of choice.