Hard work and passion often begets success, and for me personally I love seeing the results of that ethic in all facets of life. In my industry too often have I seen a business rely on location or their previous successes to justify their existence, or in the hope that it will be enough to keep repeat customers happy. That has never been the case at South Coast favourite, Cupitt’s Estate.

Having personally being a recurring sightseer to this delicious parcel of property since it initial incarnation fifteen odd years ago, I have marvelled at the way this family owned and operated 38-hectare gem has continued to thrive as the family added more strings to their bow. In all reality, its more than impressive when you consider the families leaders Rosie and Griff were supposedly looking at slowing down and eyeing retirement after selling their Bowral Hotel and Southern Highlands farm. However, Griff’s love of working the land was a passion that could not be subdued and Rosie, well, just being the woman she is wasn’t ready to kick back either, so, Washburton Farm was acquired in 2003 and the rest is history, well, a history that continues to be made!

In the entertainment business a performer that has notable skillsets like acting, singing and dancing or playing an instrument is known as “a triple threat”, in the hospitality world I guess that would be the equivalent to one producing a high level of food, beverage and music? Cupitt’s in that sense has been a “triple threat” for many years. A restaurant that delivers a classy 5-star farm to table menu, without the pomp and ceremony that comes with that level of experience at other similar establishments.

The Winery and Microbrewery continues to triumph and produce award winning wine and beers that are created with a appetite that is hard to match. Watching Rosie and Griff’s son Wally pursue the ultimate results on both fronts is an notable sight and if you manage to have a chat with him or watch him in action you will see and hear his passion radiate.

Live music also plays it a big part in delivering the all-round experience at Cupitt’s and with Friday Happy Hour and the much-loved Sunday sessions delivering a cool range of musical incarnations you are sure to get your groove on.
I really excel when it comes to sitting in the sunshine, glass of wine in hand taking in the tunes while admiring the views over the vineyard across the lake and beyond to the Budawang Ranges. Who wouldn’t right?

Although I was easily swayed to eat drink and be happy as the proverbial pig in you know what, my ultimate purpose of this latest jaunt was to treat myself to an overnight stay in the new accommodations available here at Cupitt’s. The fourth string to the bow had been put into place and now it was time for me to see if it was playing the right tune.

First thing that caught my attention, nearly didn’t! Driving down towards the five intimate style two-person villas I could not help but be impressed by the exteriors and how they seemed to meld into the surrounding environment so seamlessly. A major point that was certainly on top of the requirements set by Rosie and the family.

After the designs were finalised they were actually constructed offsite in Wagga Wagga in a prefabricated form and then dropped into position and then the finishing’s were seen to onsite. As Rosie said, “having the villas prefabbed and then dropped in made for less interruption on the day to day running of the business, but also had minimal impact on the environment”. Rosie’s other son Tom and daughter in law Libby run the business and restaurant operations with a real passion and Libby knew the accommodation would be well received. “We had the cottage here before so we knew people loved staying here. It’s just an extraordinary destination and we wanted to make sure that the experience inside the villas was as special as outside”.

As soon as I stepped into my villa I could see that Libby’s aspiration to deliver that experience was certainly in place.
They are modern yet fairly simple in design which to me made for an immediate comfortable at home feel. In saying that the finishing’s, furnishings and features are on a level you would find at 5-star offering around the country. Top shelf indeed! The king-size bed is lush and the adjacent ensuite is oversized and features all that is required.

The open style living space is smart and inviting and is given that special touch with the visual works from the local Milton Van Rensberg Galley. The multi-media components are also a welcomed touch and if you anything like me you might even take a while to locate the TV! That’s a good thing.
The list of included extras are too many to mention, just be comfortable in knowing you won’t go wanting on any level.

Bravo to the latest addition I say and if you want to experience this South Coast stunner head straight to cupittsestate.com.au and enter the promo code AUTUMN15 at checkout when selecting your booking to receive a 15% slice off the price! Oh, and heads up, get yourself a villa with the outdoor bathtub with the magical views down the valley, just delicious.

The post Another magical string on the Cupitt’s bow! appeared first on Small Group Tours with The Travelling Guy.

Not knowing a great deal about Australia’s oldest inland city, I thought it best that I engage the services of someone who did, and Bathurst Tours www.bathursttours.com.au had been recommended as the perfect provider of a diverse range of experiences that would give me the ultimate complete overview.
When hosting my travel shows I have dealt with many touring companies of varying styles and on most occasions have found them to be well connected to their product, knowledgeable on the subject matter and for me the most important element, engaging and fun to be with. Bathurst Tours certainly ticked all the boxes and even though they are a fairly young operation the passion and knowledge that exuded for their region was contagious.
An extension of Bathurst Community Transport has blossomed into the current venture Bathurst Tours and Kathryn, Domino and the team certainly have embraced the diversification of the business. From what I experienced it seems like it as a natural progression.

I was blessed to participate in a few of their offerings and each tour was not only an insight into a different slice of the Bathurst persona, but also an opportunity to discover its many hidden gems and delightfully rich history.

Wine and more

Yes, we all know about those above-mentioned siblings and yes with good reason. Bathurst however has some special vineyards of its own in the region and the best way to enjoy a tasting without the fear of blowing the bag is with Bathurst Tours. Not only does it visit some of the areas wineries, Bathurst is like many locations around the country embracing the art of distilling and part of our adventure included a very educational and palate pleasing visit to Bathurst Grange Distillery where some affable Gins and Whisky’s are being procured.
Our tasting and luncheon platter escapade at Vale creek Wines was not only a taste sensation, our host and owner of the property Gerard Woods was such an engaging host that I really could have spent more time there. A man with a background in the Sydney corporate world combined with a first-grade rugby union past oozed likeability and you can tell that he is right at home with his piece of Terra Firma and his Italian style variable’s. One not to be missed.

Garden Delights

Garden tours might not be on the top of many lists but a private tour of the majestic Mayfield Gardens is a definite must do. This parcel of Bathurst country is really something to behold and when you visit with the team you get into some of the hidden treasures that the general public never get to see and if I was more of a green thumb or an aficionado of the plant world I could express myself more succinctly here. I will just say Flora lover or not, you will be appreciative of a visit here.

History Galore

Being the oldest inland city in the country it’s only natural that it encompasses an abundance of historical brilliance, and luckily for lovers of historic architecture Bathurst has embraced and preserved much of theirs. With our driver and guide and his amazing knowledge of the area, buildings and general history, it was an feast for the mind and the eyes alike. Such a terrific experience and one that will give an understanding of the rich history that embodies the city. A standout for me was Abercrombie House.

Stay

There are an abundance of accommodation choices available in the Bathurst region, ranging from easy going pub rooms to farm stays, motels and more. But if you feel the urge to spoil yourself in 5-star style while experiencing Aussie history and New York vibes then The Wool Store is certainly one I highly recommend.
Originally built in 1875 the Wool store has been transformed into breathtaking 5-star New York style industrial feel accommodation house that oozes cool and comfort. Third generation sheep farmer Hamish Keith and his wife Mez have created a real slice of brilliance here and with pure determination and hard work the results are that which I would personally love you to experience. It is amazing! There is a four-bedroom penthouse and loft, five apartments – a mix of one and two-bedroom units and studios, so you will definitely find one to suit your needs.

Getting There

Just over 3 hours from Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong and a little over 2 from Penrith it really should be a location that you give a little extra thought to. A weekend stay sounds perfect. A midweek stay even more appealing as accommodation rates are always more alluring and Bathurst Tours can get access to many operators any day of the week.

Next time you are thinking about the Central West, make sure you give Bathurst a little love too.

The post Bathurst – More than a Mountain appeared first on Small Group Tours with The Travelling Guy.

If you are anything like me and have a love of our great Australian country and rural towns and villages, then I suggest you read on as I rule the thumb over the New South Wales splendour of Yass.

As the mass exodus from our major cities continues around the country, some of our larger rural cities and towns are certainly getting some attention.

Yass, sits just over an hour’s drive from the nation’s capital and a very straight forward 2.5 hours from Sydney, and is certainly getting some well-deserved notice of late.

Although there are endless jokes about the town being a variant of “Yes” it is more likely that it is a Ngunnawal word “Yhar” which reputedly meant “running water”. It was colonised with the help of explorers Hume and Hovell while on their expedition between Sydney to Port Phillip in 1824. In fact, if you are a seasoned walker you can rediscover part of their route between Albury and Yass. The track is around 440 kilometres long so best to prepare.

Anyway, I am not here to give you a history lesson, I just want to share with you the good word on some of what makes Yass a destination to say yes to.

The Globe Inn – will take you back in time to an era when accommodation houses where all about style, warmth and comfort. Originally built back in 1847 servicing the town as an Inn, the ballroom became notorious for all the major events in the town so its walls have many stories buried within. Owners Julia and Charlie de Nanteuil are invested in providing their guests with the ultimate experience when visiting and that shines through as soon as you meet them. The rooms have of course been updated over the years and the comfort level is superb with all the rooms having their own personalised charm. However, it is the essence of the building and its history that seems to radiate through the property as a whole. Its captivating to be honest and when you stay here you will certainly feel it, I guarantee. You don’t get to experience places like this in the bigger cities, as most have been demolished for blander versions of what was so special back in the day.

Take time to relax in the cheerful rear garden. The massive front veranda is also a special spot that requires your attendance at some point during your stay. You also might like to take a moment reflecting on the day’s activities while you sip on one of the local cool climate wines by the roaring open fire in the main dining rooms sitting area? Breakfast is an absolute treat as well and Julia certainly delivers the goods here. Fresh fruit and granola compote with poached pears welcomed me on my stay, followed by good old country style bacon and eggs with some added special extras.

The Globe Inn is the place to stay when you visit Yass!
Tootsie Café and Gallery – well straight up I have to say, if you are feeling a little flat and need something to brighten your day Tootsie will certainly do that! Wow, I just love it here. It’s like every colour imaginable has found a place in this restored old service station.

In fact, it was one of the first service stations between Melbourne and Sydney on the old Hume Highway and surely saved a few travellers from running empty over the years.

Purchased in 2013 by Cayla and Chris Pothan they went about bringing the building back to its former glory.  With passion and creative love and a lot of man power the building was restored to its former glory including the return of the Art Deco façade that had once stood impressively. Cayla, who is an artistic soul has absolutely put her creative stamp all over the premises and the results just make you feel a little magical from the moment you enter.

Besides the kaleidoscope of colour throughout, there are artworks and eclectic pieces placed thoughtfully throughout the whole premises. To be honest you could easily spend a few hours here trying your best to take it all in. I know I have to return as I failed!

Oh, apart from the artistic offerings here, I forgot to mention it is also the coolest little café. Here you can snack on an array of savoury or sweet Jaffles and an absolutely creative twist to many choices of hot or cold drinks. To finish off though, you have to try one of the 24 flavours of Gelato or maybe rip into a super Sundae that will take that happy feeling to the next level!

Yazzbar – is going to rock your world, well its definitely going to put a swing in your step, that’s a certainty! The coolest venue in town, beyond any shadow of a doubt with the combining factors of, delectable delicacies that focus on local produce, the region’s best cool-climate wines and available spirits, mingled with live music that showcases genres including, blues, jazz and the occasional surprise performance.

Relative new owner and mistress of the funky feel and vibe Deb Hamilton took over from original owners Harvey Walsh and Penny Carlisle just 12 months ago and is taking what was a high set bar to even greater altitudes and that comes from Harvey himself who I had fantastic conversation with during the evening. In fact, that is another of the alluring components of Yazzbar, the people that you meet there. I honestly don’t think I could have had a better experience. The alfresco area had a warmth about it even if the temperature said otherwise. The tapas style cuisine and the perfect pizza menu will certainly satisfy the appetite. The wines, sublime! The garnish on the on the cocktail so to speak, had to be the care, commitment and conversation I had with the dude of dudes behind the bar! Just ‘Jack’ as he introduced himself to me as, not only was in his element when procuring the perfect drink, but his manner and engagement with the customer was warming to experience. Yazzbar- 5 Stars!

I implore you to take advantage of the very generous deal below! Say yes to Yass and engage yourself in some real-life winter warming country hospitality!

The post For a Little NSW Winter Warmer- Say Yes to Yass appeared first on Small Group Tours with The Travelling Guy.