Travel Berry, NSW, is a foodie heaven
Foodie travellers will discover delicious delights around every corner in this NSW town writes LAURA EVANS
If there’s one thing you can’t forget when heading to Berry for the weekend, it’s a big appetite. The South Coast town might be small in size, but it’s definitely big in bite. And there’s no better way to arrive than in the dead of night – if only to get your first glimpse of Mt Hay Retreat’s breathtaking 360-degree views at sunrise. Pressing open the electronic window shutters from the luxury of our bed is the perfect way to start a Saturday, though it’s hard to stop gawping at the incredible scenery stretching out before us and drag ourselves up and out for the day.
Country life
Venturing onto the terrace – making a mental note to try the outdoor bath later on – it feels like we’re the only people staying on this 360-acre working farm, bar a few inquisitive goats!
Keen to explore the area, we jump in the car for a 10-minute drive to the town centre.
Despite the fact we’re about to do a food walking tour, we can’t resist a quick pit stop at the Berry Sourdough Cafe. This cosy eatery is a local favourite and a breakfast of soft-boiled eggs and soldiers hits the spot.
But there’s no time to read the papers, as we’re off to join Bite Around Berry (foodscapetours. com.au) – a guided tour of the town’s best foodie spots.
Food heaven
First up is The Berry Tea Shop to taste their extensive collection of exotic and inspired brews.
Next we’re off to The Berry Chocolatier – their cherry tarts are divine – before heading to Flavours Shoalhaven where we tuck into some award-winning cheeses, including the deliciously moorish Unicorn Ash Brie.
Our next stop takes us to South Coast Providores for homemade sausage rolls with dukkah. After all that savoury goodness, it’s time for a sweet treat at Il Locale Gelato, where we indulge in scoops of gelato made at local dairy, The Pines Kiama.
It’s not even midday, but that doesn’t stop us from swinging by Justin Lill Wines for an impromptu liqueur tasting – the 18-year-old Flor de Cana Rum is the best I’ve tried.
Sublime spoils
An afternoon spent browsing the local shops is the perfect way to burn off the morning’s feast, before returning to Mt Hay to hit the pool and jacuzzi.
You’d think we’d eaten enough for one day but dinner at South on Albany is not to be missed. I could eat everything on this European-influenced menu, but I whittle it down to lime-cured tuna with salt and pepper calamari, followed by chocolate and espresso mousse,ousse, citrus curd and Pedro Ximenez enez brownie. We opted for a dessertssert wine to finish, and it’s fair to say there’s a definite wobble in our walk as we head to our taxi.
Happy endings
All that eating and drinking is tiring work, but we wake on Sunday ready for our next adventure – visiting the local wineries. But not before stopping at The Treat Factoryy to find out how to make decadent rocky road brittle.
Our bellies full, we finish off our whirlwind weekend with a much-needed walk on n the almost empty sands of beautiful Seven Mile Beach. On the journey home, despite needing to undo the top button on my jeans, I’m already planning our next visit.