LAURA’S PERFECT ITINERARY

8am: Mountain rise

Wake up to the sun spilling across the vineyards as you step outside to the fresh mountain air at GLENBURNIE COTTAGE, set on one of the picturesque hills crowning Tumbarumba. Enjoy a cuppa by the outdoor fire and linger ’cos you can. 9am: Breakfast and books

Take the country road into town to CAFE NEST (1) for your leisurely breakfast under the birch trees. It’s hard to go past the dukkah eggs on sourdough, and you can always add a fresh-baked muffin and that second coffee.Then browse the books and produce. 10am: Artisanal ramble

Wander up Winton Street to the restored church on the hill that’s now home to FORAGE MERCHANT

+ OCCASIONS, a beautifully curated store of flowers, vintage and artisan wares for you and your home. Keep strolling around to the main street to meet more fine folk and their locally made goods at TWISTED WILLOW HOMESTORE and ARTISTS ON

PARADE. Say g’day to Webbie at the butchery or anyone you pass in the street. If you need a sugar hit with all the shopping, pop by the TUMBA BAKERY on your way to the CREEKSCAPE and enjoy your treat by the water, framed by spectacular maple trees, most vibrant in autumn. 12pm: Vine and dine

Back in the car, enjoy the 10-minute drive out of town past farms till you arrive at scenic COURABYRA WINES (2) for your lazy lunch, wine tastings and a friendly chat with owner Cathy. 2:30pm: Pedal power

Now it’s choose your own adventure time. Either hire an e-bike from RIDE TUMBA or TUMBA BIKES AND BLOOMS and

set off to cruise the RAIL TRAIL (3), stopping in at the trail end at GONE BARNY for one of its famous milkshakes before making the 21-kilometre ride home with views of Mt Kosciuszko. Or, with your mountain bike primed, go explore the new trails at MASONS HILL and the POLICE PADDOCK for a heart-pumping afternoon. 4.30pm: Waterfall wind-down

As it approaches the golden hour, it’s time to slow down again and be captivated by the Snowy Mountains’ waters thundering down at PADDYS RIVER FALLS (4) just 10 minutes’ drive from town. Grab a couple of local CRAFTY CIDERS or TUMUT RIVER BREWING

CO. BEERS on your way out from IGA or Nest to complement the views and bush surrounds in the pretty light. If you’re still hot from your ride or feeling daring, plunge into the spa-like natural pool or climb behind the wall of water. 6pm-ish: Dinner and a movie

After your refreshing dip or more civilised hot shower back at the cottage, meander back down the quiet streets to NEST in time for pre-dinner Pretty Parrot or Riverina Gin on the deck while you make the tough decision of which pizza or seasonal dish to eat in the cinema. It’s local produce either way and, golly, the smoked trout never disappoints... When you’ve decided and chosen the Johansen chardonnay or Kosciuszko pinot noir to match, the friendly staff will usher you into what was once a Masonic chamber, now a boutique cinema, to your reclining armchair for the feature film. Dinner will be served at your little table so just put your feet up and escape for a while. You’re on holidays so yes there is room for dessert, the girls will bring it in, relax…