Get ready to explore the Southern Highlands with your roadtrip guide to Robertson and Burrawang , full of farms, gum trees and of course a proper country-style cooked lunch!
The weekend is an opportunity to hit the road and go exploring to places unknown. It’s a time to turn down off beaten dirt roads, to sample farm gate produce, local dining delights and to fill the lungs with air mixed with that underlying hint of manure.... because it just wouldn't be the country without good old manure.
If you have a list of weekend escapes and getaways, you need to add this Southern Highland’s cluster to your New South Wales list of food and adventure trails.
Start with a giant spud.. You read right, Robertson is home to the Big Potato (because in Australia no road trip is complete without a “big’ Aussie icon). The golden soils of the Southern Highland’s region are famous for being farmed for some of the best spuds in the state. You can find it here
Cheese, please High-tail to The Robertson Old Cheese Factory for a smorgasbord of deli-style bites, the perfect ingredients for a picnic. There’s a wonderful variety of preserves, crackers, sweets and of course cheeses. To get a true taste for the region, try the bespoke sheep cheeses of local artisan cheesemakers Pecora Diary.
The boutique diary have crafted several award winning cheese which include the Bloomy White and the Jamberoo Mountain Blue. made seasonally and limited in numbers with selected varieties are only available during certain times of the year. If you can't get down to the Southern Highlands you can catch them at these market locations.
Next door you will find The Cool Room-A Country Emporium, which is a treasure trove of new and old wares. It is a real adventure to folic through the shelves of second-hand books, clothes, antiques and even hand-crafted goods from local artists. The Cool Room spans across two floors so make sure you allow enough time to truly explore!
Next stop Burrawang Head back up the Illawarra Highway for about 6 minutes before turning left onto Mcgraths Road. This picturesque cruise really allows for travellers to get a true taste of authentic Southern Highland’s scenery as giant gum trees tower and shadow across the farm-lined roads that lead into the quaint country town of Burrawang.
Meat and Greet As it goes for shops and retail outlets, this isn't your mega shopping more of options (thank goodness), which is a refreshing, offering a slower and more relaxed pace of township. No country town is complete without its butchers, so make sure you pack an esky and head straight to Maugers Meats.
Owned and operated by Robertson locals John Mauger and his son Mat, this is where you will find traditional, old-school service and produce. Farm fresh and full of character, food fans will not want to miss the opportunity to stock up on steaks and snags. If you want to learn more about the paddock to plate approach, tours are available and run regularly on the farm.
Time for lunch The dining highlight of the town is none other than the Burrawang General Store. A Southern Highlands icon, the building dates back to 1867 when it operated a general store back in its heyday. In its modern form, it is a culinary destination and favourite among locals and those from afar, delivering a generous, down to earth country style menu.
There's an all-day breakfast, a diverse choice of lunch feeds from crab spaghettini to the five-napkin burger (don't ask just why it is named this, it is something you have to experience for yourself). The wine list is short but sweet and focuses on showcasing some of the local wineries.
Keeping in tune to its original decor there are still remnants of it's past, with tin signs for Kodak and Peter's ice cream hanging from the high walls and impressive timber ceiling. Smack bang in the middle of the store you can defrost by the roaring fireplace, adding to the homely and warm atmosphere. If you’re a bit strap for time, be sure to pick up a cuppa and baked good for the road.
You can catch the full review here
Feel like a pint? The recently refurbished Burrawang Village Hotel across the road is a living postcard of refined country pub charm. Open fireplaces, original features, beers on tap and a courtyard out the back with majestic views, make it an all-around winner. The inn also offers a pub lunch menu, full of all the classics one would find on a pub menu, served in traditional country pub fashion expect hearty, flavoursome and comforting creations on a plate.
One last pit stop All good things must come to an end, so make your last stop at an unassuming stand on the side of Wildes Meadow road. Here you will find the home of Highland Gourmet Potatoes farmed by local legends Norman and Robyn, these guys are the iconic producers of humble heirloom varieties, some that you may not have even heard of!
Make sure you get some cash out as they only accept cash. A brown paper bag of potatoes will set you back a grand total of $5, so stock up. You will find the likes of Atlantics, Rideau's, and many more. Each bag is labelled with instructions on how to make the most out of each spud with reccomended cooking styles from roasting to mashing, to baking.
The checklist
Before you hit the road, make sure you: • Pack an esky for your Mauger’s Meats purchases • Have some cash on you for spuds at Highland Gourmet potatoes • A sense of adventure!
I would love to hear about your adventures and experiences from the area. If you think there is somewhere, that should be included on this guide leave me a message below with the details!