Canowindra Long Weekend

If you feel the need to escape to the country, to breath some fresh air, to feel some space around you - make your way to Canowindra his coming June Long Weekend.
What makes Canowindra different from the country towns - especially those closer to Sydney - is that it is the real thing. An authentic working country town, population 2,000, which has not become a tourism parody of itself. Don't get me wrong, Canowindra still needs some tourist dollars, but the town does not exist for tourists alone. Some country towns are virtual ghost towns through the week and only come to life for tourists on the weekend. Disneyland Country Towns. Not so Canowindra.

Here, old men still tip their hats as they walk by, the finger wave and nod is obligatory to every car you drive past, and the wide main street is full of dusty Toyota utes with kelpies in the back.

Almost all of Canowindra's local businesses - from the pubs to the boutiques, have committed to remaining open for the whole long weekend, so our little town will be abuzz! Just 4.5 hours drive from Sydney (and 2.5 hours from Canberra) and you could be sitting by the fire with a beer or a local red at The Royal Hotel.

Here at Hamiltons Bluff we will be open all weekend, offering tasting plates designed to compliment our wines. Sit out under the old peppercorn trees in the cellar door garden and graze over pecorino cheese, Italian salami, local Ligurian style olives and home made bread and olive oil with a glass of our Sangiovese.

In the heritage listed main street, some of the businesses open will include:

• The Bendy Street Emporium - a superb new homewares shop http://www.bendystreet.com.au/
• The River Bank Gallery http://www.riverbankgallery.com.au/
• Little Poppets - beautiful childrens' boutique featuring Australian design labels.
• Tiquetonne - a very funky litle boutique with original designs.
• The Deli Lama - great coffee, cakes & lunch.
• The Royal Hotel & Sally's Bistro - fancy a beer by the open fire and a good pub meal?
• The Old Vic Inn - fantastic heritage building, coffee, gallery, restaurant and award winning guesthouse.
• Virginia Cullane Books - shelves and shelves of wonderful second hand and rare book

Around the corner in Ferguson Street you will find:

• The Canowindra Trading Post - one of the most popular gift and homewares shops in the region - they serve coffee in the garden too! http://www.canowindratradingpost.com.au/
• TasteCanowindra - restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, gallery, live music venue (open mike and folk music on the last Sunday of every month) and wine tasting centre featuring most of the wines from the region http://www.tastecanowindra.com.au/
• Ruby Red Dress - fabulous vintage clothing - a must see!
• Raw Canvas - extensive art supplies

The Age of Fishes Museum in the centre of town tells the story of an amazing 360 million year old fossil discovery just a few kms out of Canowindra. The fossils are of major international significance as some of the fish show the first signs of the evolution of fins to limbs. The Age of Fishes Museum is worth a visit - they are also the town's accredited Visitor Information Centre. http://www.ageoffishes.org.au/

Tom's Waterhole is another winery that will be open all weekend - Graham and Jan from Tom's Waterhole also own and operate Balloon Joy Flights from the vineyard. If you have never experienced a hot air balloon flight - add it to yout bucket list! http://www.balloonjoyflights.com.au/

JUST IN...Wallington Winery will also be open for wine tastings and sales over the June Long Weekend. Wallingtons produce some superb wines and it is worth the visit just to check out their wonderful straw bale winery. http://www.wallingtonwines.com.au/