Nestled just next door in rural New South Wales, the Hilltops Region awaits. An easy 90-minute drive from Canberra, it beckons with its blend of natural beauty, rich history, vibrant community life, abundant local produce, pick-your-own orchards, cafes and delicious food and wine. A perfect day trip or weekend getaway, there’s something for everyone to fall in love with in the Hilltops.
If you head north on the Barton Highway, then turn off the Hume towards Boorowa, Harden, Young or Jugiong, you’ll find yourself in the Hilltops Region. And whilst not that far from Canberra, you’ll suddenly feel a world away. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you find – or not find as the case may be. You’ll notice there are no traffic lights, no pay parking, no traffic jams. You may have to slow down for some sheep on the road or to just take in the view – especially rolling hills of golden canola or orchards full of blossom. There is so much to discover and explore, and unexpected surprises.
SPRING BURSTS OF COLOUR AND FESTIVITIES
Once you turn off the highway on any of the country roads, you will be greeted by a tapestry of colour, with captivating canola fields, cherry blossoms and rows of vibrant green vines painting the landscape. Spring is also a time of celebration, with the Boorowa Irish Woolfest held on Sunday 6 October and the Harden Kite Festival on Saturday 12 October. Both events are family friendly and allow everyone to experience the region’s lively spirit and cultural richness.
AWARD-WINNING WINES
Hilltops is fast becoming known for its award-winning wines with many of the local vineyards offering intimate hosted wine tastings in friendly, relaxed and rustic cellar doors. If beer is more your thing, Bulla Creek Brewing opens on weekends for tastings and sales. Young Visitor Information Centre has a cellar door stocked with local wine and information on all the local wineries and cellar doors.
SUMMER DELIGHTS AND CHERRY CELEBRATIONS
Summer in the Hilltops Region is a season of abundance, with orchards bursting with stone fruits and opportunities to ‘Pick Your Own Cherries’. The annual National Cherry Festival is on every first weekend in December, with this year’s dates 29 November – 1 December. Popular with visitors and locals alike, this lively festival brings the town to life with events, entertainment, and a showcase of local produce.
LOCAL PRODUCE
Locally grown produce is available in Hilltops by visiting roadside fruit stalls (during harvest season) or from several farmers’ markets. Fresh produce, jams, honey, eggs, plus other unique handmade items are available at the Young and Region Farmers Market, which operates every first and third Saturday of the month near the historic Young railway station. Several other markets operate on a monthly or bi-monthly schedule.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATERIES
The Hilltops Region offers a diverse range of accommodation options for your weekend getaway. Whether you prefer cosy bed and breakfasts, charming country farmstays, or luxurious retreats, there’s something for everyone. The region is also home to a variety of cafés, eateries and restaurants, where you can enjoy everything from a casual meal to a fine dining experience.
AUTUMN SPLENDOUR AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
For those seeking outdoor adventure, Jugiong offers a tranquil escape by the Murrumbidgee River. Whether you’re casting a line for Murray cod or simply unwinding on the riverbanks, Jugiong invites visitors to relax and reconnect with nature, or step it up a notch at Rove Numby who offer fully catered weekend glamping adventures for small groups with guided pack-less walking through their beautiful farm in the Upper Lachlan.
RICH CULTURE AND ARTS TRAIL
The Hilltops Region is a vibrant hub for the arts. The Hilltops Off the Beaten Track Arts and Cultural Trail is held for three weeks in March. Encompassing the entire Hilltops Region the trail showcases local artists and cultural events, including Harmony Day.
SCENIC WALKS AND CULTURAL GEMS
Enjoy a walk along the Boorowa River. The pathway meanders along the river and through the town, and don’t forget your camera – sightings of superb parrots, grazing sheep and even platypus are not uncommon here.
Immerse yourself in the beauty and ambiance of the Chinese Tribute Gardens in Young. This tranquil setting 4 kilometres from the centre of town is an ideal picnic spot and was built as recognition of the contribution of the Chinese community to the settlement of Young in the 1860’s.
EXPLORE HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
History buffs will be enchanted by the rich history of our towns. Boorowa, Harden-Murrumburrah and Young all have historic museums that are a must visit when you’re in the region. The Harden-Murrumburrah Historic Walk is a journey through time in these twin towns. Discover fascinating stories of pioneering days and marvel at the architectural gems that line the streets, each building steeped in its own tale of yesteryear.
PLAN YOUR ESCAPE TO THE HILLTOPS
Whether you seek a weekend getaway immersed in natural beauty, a journey through history and heritage, or simply a taste of country charm and hospitality, the Hilltops Region promises an unforgettable experience. Come and discover why visitors from near and far are drawn to NSW’s hidden gem.
Contact the Tourist Information Centres is Boorowa, Murrumburrah and Young for even more information on local attractions or call 1800 628 233.
Murringo Barracks: The perfect weekend getaway
Murringo Barracks is a heritage listed police barracks built of local bluestone in 1880. Set on 20 acres at the edge of the quaint historic village of Murringo and located halfway between Boorowa & Young, it’s a great location for exploring the Hilltops Region.
The current owners, Mark & Therese Crowe, have given the buildings a renewed life as a fine art gallery and charming bed-and-breakfast accommodation.
The precinct includes the original stone barracks, which once operated as a lock-up and courtroom, as well as stone and timber slab horse stables and stone outhouses. The elegant little art gallery is located in the original police charge room and courtroom. The gallery exhibits original fine art by local and regional artists as well as owner Therese Crowe, who you can meet working in her adjacent studio. The art gallery and outbuildings are open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4pm. Entry is free of charge.
The B&B accommodation is housed in a separate building at the rear of the property. Recently renovated, this country style cottage with modern facilities is fully self-contained with three bedrooms and sleeps up to six people. On arrival, guests are greeted with home baked goodies and complimentary local wine. Breakfast foods are also provided.
Murringo Barracks is part of a 300 acre working farm which raises fat lambs and merino sheep for fine wool. Farmyard animals are in the paddock adjacent to the B&B for guests to see. It is perfect for families to enjoy a country experience or for couples and small groups to get away.
For details of current and upcoming exhibitions and accommodation bookings, head to murringobarracks.com.
2244 Murringo Road Murringo
Step back in time at the Old Brick Pub
The Old Brick Pub is a place to get lost in your imagination and ponder what once was. Walk the gold diggings, explore the creek, listen to the bird song and the frogs croaking as the sun dips behind the gum trees. Cosy up inside by the fire or outside with your back resting on the convict bricks. All with a local glass of wine or a Stein of ALK Porter sharing a chatter platter of locally sourced treats.
A couples retreat, providing a chance to step back in time, showcasing carefully chosen preloved, period, recycled relics.
As soon as you enter, you’ll immerse yourself in history. A time warp of days long ago and a minimalistic charmed culture.
Watch the rabbits scurry around the rocks and birds busying themselves in the grasses. Wander the slow-flowing creek and listen to the Currawongs serenading each step you take.
This is a place to slow down, breathe with life unhurried, explore the joys of community and the sacred land that is our backyard.
It’s a place to remember what was and most of all, immerse yourself in its old ways while appreciating the present.
During your stay, enjoy complimentary gourmet goodies such as Art of Espresso coffee locally roasted and blended, Ballinaclash Quince or Cherry jam, delectable chocolate coated cherries from Poppa’s Fudge and Jam Factory, local honey & olive oil from Oakridge Grove.
Discover Rove Numby, your luxe wilderness getaway
Notorious outlaws like Ben Hall and Frank Gardiner once sought refuge in the region of Reids Flat. The remote and rugged terrain of ‘Numby’ provided ideal conditions for bushrangers to hide and conduct their activities. Today, visitors can rove the dramatic hills and creek-scapes as guests of ROVE NUMBY, a new and truly unique luxe walking experience, just a 2-hour drive from Canberra!
If you’ve ever had the urge to run away to a secluded cottage in the hills to escape from the bustle of modern life, this may be just the tonic you’re after- where wilderness meets comfort. Imagine a long walk ending at a cosy fireplace in a historic stone cottage, with a glass of bubbles in hand and the smell of home-cooked food wafting from the kitchen.
After a day of exploring the great outdoors and enjoying a four-course dinner of home-cooked, locally sourced produce, guests retreat to luxurious glamping tents. Picture yourself falling asleep under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of nature, and waking up to the crisp, fresh air of the countryside.
Rove Numby is the creation of Lou Crawford, who, with her husband David, runs the 6000-hectare sheep and cattle station known as ‘Numby’. She has lovingly restored the idyllic basecamp – a stone cottage built by the Gurney family over 100 years ago – used for serving exceptional food and wine curated by local cook and food producer Heidi Castleden. Together, during Spring and Autum, Lou and Heidi host small groups of up to eight people for walking/hiking long weekends, as well as walk-in, walk-out long lunches.
“These weekends and day trips are designed to be book-and-go, all the planning and preparation has been done for you” says Lou. Rove Numby is easily accessible from Canberra, perfect for private groups or couples, girls’ getaways or celebrations with friends. And most importantly, it is a digital free experience, where you can simply connect with nature and friends while enjoying the perfect blend of adventure and luxury.
You can read more, check availability and book experiences at rovenumby.com.au.
Discover tradition and innovation at Bulla Creek Brewing
Bulla Creek Brewing, located at, offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation on a fifth-generation family farm. Founded by Steph and Mike—Steph returning to the farm where she grew up and Mike, a self-taught brewer with a deep passion for the history and craft of beer—the brewery showcases a diverse range of styles, from mid-strength lagers and robust IPAs to rich dark ales.
The brewery’s beers are inspired by European and American styles but feature Australian ingredients. Highlights include the Coffee Milk Stout, brewed with locally roasted Art of Espresso coffee beans, and the Cherry Porter and Cherry Sour, made with cherries from Ballinaclash orchard. All grains are sourced from Voyager Craft Malt in the Riverina, reinforcing the connection between beer and its agricultural roots.
With 12 beers on tap and rotating food trucks, the brewery offers a relaxed, family-friendly environment and hosts private events.
Discover the charm of Bulla Creek Brewing, where every visit offers a taste of history and a sip of something extraordinary. Bulla Creek Brewing is open on Saturdays from 12 to 5:30pm, with occasional openings on Sundays and long weekends – check their socials, website, or Google for updates.
820 Jerrybang Lane, Monteagle
Fine dining fusion restaurant in the Cherry Capital!
Elliotz strives to create an ultimate experience in the country from the moment you walk through the doors. Our service is a key part of our business, ensuring that our customers feel welcome and ready to unwind with our delicious food. We offer a three-course meal—entrée, main, and dessert—with a fusion of options to choose from.
Our seasonal menu is thoughtfully curated by Chef Matt, who dedicates himself to the love of food. Each protein is prepared to its highest potential, from the slow-cooked 27-hour Crispy Pork Belly to the Black Angus grain-fed Eye Fillet. Chef Matt leads the kitchen, while Emma manages the front of house as a team that established Elliotz from the ground up in 2019.
Elliotz is a two-time Australian Good Food Guide Readers’ Choice Winner for fusion restaurant in Capital Country & Southern Highlands, NSW. Elliotz strives to make your experience rememberable from the ambience, music, service, food and drinks.
Experience FREEMAN Vineyards in the Hilltops
“One of those wonderfully genuine places where the fascinating wines…are a conduit for a memorable tasting.” – Gourmet Traveller
Winemaker Brian Freeman used to be a professor of wine. For the past 20 years, he has pursued his passion for textural and savoury Italian-inspired wines. Think Fiano, Pinot Grigio and Prosecco leading on to garnet hued mellow reds – Sangiovese, Nebbiolo – and the FREEMAN flaghip ‘Secco’ crafted from two rare red varieties, Rondinella and Corvina.
The FREEMAN Altura Vineyard boasts some of the oldest vines in the Hilltops region, a rustic Cellar Door and a collection of memorable wines. Worth a detour….
To book, email [email protected] or visit freemanvineyards.com.au for more information.
Pick your own cherries at Top of the Hill Orchard
Our family-run farm is a place where the finest quality cherries are grown, nurtured and harvested with love and care. We offer pick-your-own cherries and also pre-packaged boxes ready to go. Picking your own cherries from an orchard is a delightful and rewarding experience that connects you with nature and the origins of your food.
Visitors can stroll through the rows of cherry trees, selecting the ripest and juiciest fruits directly from the branches. This hands-on approach not only ensures you get the freshest produce but also provides a fun and educational outing for families and friends.
Our cherries are ripe and ready during November and December with regular updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
976 Spring Creek Road, Young, NSW 2594
Karina Ginn
Discover the freshness of Valley Fresh Cherries & Stonefruits!
Experience the Taste of Perfection!
Nestled in the picturesque Hilltops Region of Young, Valley Fresh Cherries & Stonefruits is a family-owned cherry enterprise. We pride ourselves on growing the sweetest, premium cherries, all hand-picked and processed on-site to ensure the highest quality for you.
Visit Us!
Stop by our Roadside Farm Gate at 4179 Olympic Highway South, Young, NSW, and taste the difference for yourself. Sorry, no pick-your-own cherries, but we promise our ready-to-buy produce will not disappoint!
Our harvest begins in November, and we look forward to supplying you with the freshest cherries!
For more information, visit valleyfreshcherries.com.au or call Kathy Batinich on 0448 842 930. Follow Valley Fresh Cherries & Stonefruits on Instagram @valley.fresh.cherries.
4179 Olympic Highway Sth, Young, NSW 2594
