Australian Food and Wine Tour

Food & Wine Tour

Welcome to our Food and Wine touring route where you will visit wonderful historic homesteads, award-winning gardens and sample some beautiful food, much of it homegrown by your remarkable hosts. Be fascinated by an Outback life.

Best of all, each night we will be staying at an Outback Beds location. Here we can get an insight into the daily life of a working property, take a guided tour of the history and nature of the property, and in the evening after a rewarding drink, sit down to a delicious home-cooked meal which is optimising as much produce as possible from that farm.

Along the way, we will visit World Heritage areas and be guided through them with Aboriginal guides. We will encounter Australian wildlife almost daily including kangaroos, emus, echidnas and a colourful range of spectacular birds. We will set off on regular short walks, lake cruises and have some opportunities to paddle a canoe but there are options to do some more vigorous activities along the way if you opt for a longer tour. There will be opportunities to taste some award-winning wine and foods direct from the producers and time to relax, unwind and to meet the locals.

Have a look at our suggested itinerary below. We have put this itinerary together with the minimum number of days needed to cover the distances. But this is your tour and your holiday, so we can make it longer, have more rest days or include more vigorous activities if you wish. Look at some of our options or just let us know what kind of activities or holidays you like and we will try to customise the tour for you.

FACTS

Where: The Australian Food Bowl from Griffith to Mildura.

When: On demand.

Duration: 5 Days 4 nights

Tour Size: Maximum number of passengers is 7 plus guides.

Fitness Level: Low to reasonable level of fitness required. Some short hikes to be expected.

Best Season: All year round.

Note: Many of the roads we travel on are unsealed dirt or gravel. Although it doesn’t rain much in the outback, when it does unsealed roads are likely to be closed to traffic. Bindara and Mungo are dry weather only. Our touring route and itinerary will be adjusted in the event of wet weather.

Trip Itinerary

Note: If you are starting your tour at Griffith then the tour will proceed in the reverse order.

Day 1
PICK UP LOCATION TO BINDARA STATION
We will start our journey through the outback and head towards Bindara Station on the Darling River.

We will collect you from any of the following:

• Adelaide airport or hotels for a 8 am departure.
• Broken Hill airport or hotels for a 12.30 pm departure.
• Mildura airport or hotels for a 10.30 am departure.
• Griffith airport or hotel for a 12.30 pm departure.

From Adelaide: It is a full day drive to our first night (7-8 hours). We will have a coffee stop en route in the world famous Barossa Valley wine region before breaking our journey for a late lunch (included) at Wentworth or Mildura on the banks of the Murray River. After lunch we will visit and olive grove and olive oil press and taste the local oils before journey on to Bindara Station.

From Broken Hill: We will travel to Menindee and stop at the Menindee lakes system for a 1 hour cruise on the River Lady (included). The bird life on the lakes is phenomenal (binoculars are provided). After the cruise we will journey on to Bindara Station.

From Mildura: We will take a two hour PS Melbourne paddle steamer cruise (included) on the Murray River. After the cruise we will have a picnic lunch before heading onto Bindara Station.

From Griffith: We will take a 2-3 hour Bella Vita tour (included) of local wine and food producers including the winery voted best cellar door in Australia in 2019. After the tour we will travel on to Corynnia Station. If you are being collected from Griffith you will travel the following route in reverse order. Your final destination will be either Broken Hill, Mildura or Adelaide depending on your travel plans.

Historic Bindara Station is located on the banks on the Darling River in outback New South Wales. The beautiful historic homestead, outbuildings, and cemetery are a living history that can be explored firsthand. The area abounds in birds and and wildlife. An important part of the station experience is to observe the day to day running of the property. Bindara encourages you to share their lifestyle and gain a taste of the real outback. The farm is "off grid" with emphasis on using eco technology; the property is powered with a combination of solar, wind, gas and bio diesel. You will stay in the property’s farm cottages.
Day 1
Day 2
BINDARA STATION TO LAKE PAIKA STATION VIA MUNGO WORLD HERITAGE AREA
After your full breakfast featuring farm meats and organic farm produce grown on Bindara Station we will take a guided farm tour exploring the over 8 km of river country which forms the boundary of Bindara Station. Bindara is a natural haven for three species of kangaroos, emus, echidnas, turtles and many reptiles including lizards and snakes. Your tour will also take you to European history and Indigenous cultural points of interest.

Leaving Bindara Station we will travel on to Pooncarie for lunch at the old wharf on the Darling River before driving onto Mungo world heritage national park. At Mungo we will walk with an experienced National Parks Aboriginal Discovery guide through the famous Walls of China. These sites have immense cultural significance. You’ll be welcomed to Country and learn about the 40,000-plus years of Aboriginal cultural history of Lake Mungo and the Traditional Owners.

Beautiful Lake Paika Station is one of the oldest properties in the area. In 1899, Lake Paika & Paika Creek became the site of Australia’s first environmental movement to protect a wetland. Lake Paika is nestled on a peninsula of Lake Paika. Take a step back in time, unwind, relax and enjoy unique accommodation in the restored self-contained workmans' quarters. Di at Lake Paika is a great cook, we will have dinner out doors overlooking the lake with a campfire in cooler months to keep us warm.
Day 2
Day 3
LAKE PAIKA STATION TO BURRABUROON STATION VIA YANGA NATIONAL PARK
As the previous two days have been very long, we will have a leisurely morning at Lake Paika. After breakfast, enjoy a walk around the property, a paddle on the lake in canoes or a cruise on a pontoon, bird watching, or a morning of simply resting. If you want more activity we may venture to nearby Yanga National Park. The newly formed Yanga National Park has a rich mix of Aboriginal history and abundant European pastoralist heritage that once thrived in the region and the unique environmental characteristics of the Lowbidgee floodplains. At Yanga we can take a guided tour. We will have an early lunch in the amazing gardens of Lake Paika homestead before driving on to Burraburoon Farmstay.

Burraburoon Farmstay is a working sheep station on the edge of a large lake with extensive gardens. There is a touch of African flavour at our bushcamp with its sheltered BBQ area and open air kitchen and dining area adjoining the cantilever deck over the water. The accommodation provides an opportunity for “glamping” or there is a range of alternate accommodation if glamping isn’t your thing, including a converted railway carriage.

In the evening enjoy a sunset cruise on the lake with tapas before enjoying a fresh home cooked meal with the hosts.
Day 3
Day 4
BURRABUROON FARMSTAY TO CORYNNIA STATION
After breakfast we will have a leisurely guided walk with the owner Ken. Ken is an ex agriculture lecturer and has the gift of the gab when it comes to explaining things. Ken will also point out the areas of Aboriginal significance on the farm. From time to time we may be joined by an Aboriginal Elder Gubba.

After leaving Burraburoon we will travel to Hay and visit the Shear Outback for an easy overview of Australia’s rich wool industry past. Here you can experience the living and working conditions of the hardworking men and women who shaped the industry and learn about our shearing history and future technologies. We will explore the round up maze and homestead garden before heading to the historic Murray Downs Shed to watch a shearer shear a sheep and then head on to Bishop’s Lodge for a picnic lunch.

Bishop’s Lodge is a remarkable iron building constructed in 1889 as the official residence for the Anglican Bishop of Riverina. Relax in the 19th century garden before we head to our final destination, award winning Corynnia Station. If the need arises we will stop for a beer at an outback pub on the way.

Corynnia Station is a 17,000 acre busy working property and Julie and Bruce have chosen to share their unique, historic and truly Australian part of the world with us. Corynnia produces high quality Merino wool and meat from about 8,000 sheep and the irrigated cropping programme includes cotton, grains and sheep fodder. Bruce will take us on a private tour of Corynnia where he will share his passion for agriculture and explains his use of technologically innovative farming methods. After Bruce’s tour we will head to the homestead terrace for sundowners.

Tonight’s meal is another highlight to mark the last night of our tour. Enjoy a leisurely silver service dinner around the historic Homestead wool table with our hosts. Dinner will feature homestead garden and local produce. Tonight’s accommodation is in Maxies Retreat.

This is Corynnia’s new, authentically Australian lodge designed in shearers quarters style but with all the comforts.
Day 4
Day 5
CORYNNIA STATION TO GRIFFITH
After breakfast we will take a relatively short drive to Griffith where we will take a Bella Vita tour. Bella Vita Tours provide personalised food and wine tours of Griffith. Griffith is a vibrant agricultural and multicultural city with over 15 wineries, award-winning restaurants, museums, art galleries and an abundance of local produce, an exciting and delicious day awaits. After the tour we will drop you at your accommodation or at the airport.
Day 5

Want to spend longer or travel at a more leisurely pace? Some recommend additions:

  1. Broken Hill – 1 to 2 extra night/s in Broken Hill, there is a lot to see in the Silver City. I would recommend at least 2 nights, we can add on mine tours, gallery tours, a trip to Silverton, some short hikes, a trip to the Royal Flying Doctor or School of the Air, a night visit to Outback Astronomy, some mountain biking, a visit to some country pubs, or some down time to wander around and enjoy the unique architecture.

  2. Kinchega National Park and the Menindee Lakes – 1 extra night in Broken Hill to allow an early start for travel to Kinchega national park and the Menindee Lakes system en route between Broken Hill and Bindara. Explore the historic shearing shed at Kinchega, take a hike along the Darling River, take a cruise on the lakes and look for birds.

  3. Lunch cruise on the Murray River – 1 extra night at Lake Paika

  4. Yanga National Park and/or the Edward River Kayak and Canoe Trail – 1 extra night at Lake Paika

  5. Deniliquin Mountain Bike Park and/or the Edward River Kayak and Canoe Trail. – MTB trails 12km 3 hrs also 1 extra night at Burraburoon

  6. Griffith Region, wineries, award winning restaurants and cotton mill – 1 extra night at Corynnia to discover more of Griffith’s food and wine high lights and a trip to the cotton gin (seasonal). Griffith is a vibrant agricultural and multicultural city just 65km from Corynnia Station. With over 15 wineries, award-winning restaurants, museums, art
 galleries and an abundance of local produce, an exciting and delicious day awaits.

  7. Wilkadene – If you are returning to Adelaide at the end of the tour we can go via Wilkadene and have a day on the Murray River in a luxury house boat. Sleep on board and in the day, tour the river, do some canoeing, visit the craft brewery for some sunset ales before following Australia’s most famous river, the Murray River back to Adelaide. See Days 6+7 of our Great Rivers Tour for more detail.
 

 

Itinerary Changes.

We need to occasionally change the itinerary in response to weather and road conditions. If changes are needed we will endeavour to organise an alternate route and activity. We will discuss these changes with you at our regular evening briefings.

If the itinerary specified restaurant or activity is closed on our scheduled day then we will always have a Plan B. Generally we will know at the time of your booking if your tour will overlap a scheduled closed day.