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Follow the Vines – NSW

Roadtrip

Follow the Vines, NSW




This road-trip itinerary takes in three of the best NSW wine regions: the Riverina, known as the state’s food bowl, the Central Tablelands, and the Hunter Valley, Australia’s very first established wine region.
Start in Griffith, home to varietals such as Montepulciano and pinot grigio, which are best enjoyed over a plate of pasta at one of the town’s many Italian restaurants. From there, it’s around four-and-a-half hours to the cool-climate terroir of Orange, famous not only for viticulture but also for charming, lacework-trimmed Federation and Victorian homes. Another half a day of driving, through gold rush towns such as Sofala and Bathurst, and you reach Singleton on the banks of the Hunter River. Pour a glass of the region’s world-class semillon as a reward for your adventures.



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Griffith

The 68 modern serviced apartments at the accessible-accredited Quest Griffith are the place to base yourself to explore the Riverina’s food and wine treasures. The region’s best Italian restaurants are on your doorstep, or go for a country drive to De Bortoli, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected wineries, just 10 minutes away. Side trips to Wagga Wagga, with its riverside beach, and Cocoparra National Park are also a fine way to spend a day.

Little Italy Restaurant
A pretty, five-minute stroll through Griffith Memorial Park will take you to Little Italy, home of some of the freshest handmade pasta and gnocchi in town, along with pizza, hearty mains and plenty for vegetarians. The salami and garlic prawn Milano pizza is a crowd favourite, while the creamy lobster fettuccine is true indulgence.
Zecca
The owners of this cool and casual Italian restaurant have heritage that spans the entire length of Italy, from Veneto to Sicily. This is where to head for authentic regional cooking and its famous piadina – a stuffed flatbread sandwich native to the Romagna region.
Griffith Pioneer Park Museum
Looking for family activities in Griffith? We’ve got you. Kids will love exploring the old machinery and vintage vehicles in this much-loved community cultural centre. It’s also the place to learn more about Griffith’s proud Italian heritage, as well as its longstanding history as an epicentre of viticulture.
Calabria Family Wines
The ‘La Dolce Vita’ food-and-wine pairing experience at this Tuscan-style cellar door matches a Southern Italian feast with a selection of premium wines for groups of between four and nine, but that’s only one of the many experiences worth booking at this friendly winery, a five-minute drive from Quest Griffith. The al fresco lawn picnics are another charming way to while away a sunny afternoon.
De Bortoli Wines
The Riverina cellar door of De Bortoli, a 10-minute drive out of town, is one of the oldest family wineries in Australia. Expect old-fashioned country hospitality, where everyone is welcomed with a smile. There are several tasting and food options on offer, as well as a playground for the kids.

Orange

The best wineries, cultural experiences, cafes and restaurants in Orange are all within easy reach of Quest Orange, our accessible-accredited property with a rooftop BBQ area that offers you views over the whole town by day and of a sparkling country sky by night. For those guests travelling in an electric vehicle, there are also two EV chargers available for use.

Groundstone Cafe
A vibrant cafe in Orange, Groundstone Cafe sits two blocks from Quest. On a sunny day, nab a seat outside; in cooler weather, sit among the many leafy plants inside the cafe. The menu features seasonal specials, the coffee machine is always running and if you’re looking for a sweet start to the day, the hotcakes are a stand out.
The Union Bank
This restaurant and bar is a great place to experience the seasons of Orange. In spring, you can sit under the magnolia tree; in summer the courtyard is lush and green; and in winter you can sit by the fire, all rugged up with blankets. The food is designed to share – local, seasonal produce is a focus – and the drinks menu has an extensive section dedicated to wines from this renowned region.
Printhie Wines
Printhie is one of the region’s best wineries with a sleek, modern cellar door and restaurant. The winery sits at a high elevation with spectacular views over valleys and vines, and the drop it’s known for is the cuvée – it’s a sparkling wine that’s the perfect accompaniment to eating freshly shucked oysters out on the terrace.
Jumbled
You can easily lose the better part of a day in this boutique, which sells homewares that would make for perfect gifting if you didn’t want to keep everything for yourself. And then there are the clothes – racks of cool, colourful pieces by well-known brands and emerging labels. There’s even a cafe here selling excellent toasties.
Indigenous Cultural Adventures
Gerald Power founded his tour company in 2016, and is passionate about sharing the food and culture of the local Wiradjuri nation. Sign up for a bush tucker tour or to explore a host of the region’s most significant cultural sites, including the summit of Gaanha-bula / Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area, where you’ll see a stunning ground mosaic based on the work of Mick Crook, a local Aboriginal artist.

Singleton

The heart of the Hunter Valley, Singleton is one of the prettiest heritage towns in the region and the 35 spacious serviced apartments of Quest Singleton, which is accessible-accredited, are the perfect place to explore all it has to offer. The main winery towns of Pokolbin and Lovedale are only a 30-minute drive south, and those looking for outdoor activities near Singleton should head north to Lake St Clair, which is popular for swimming, boating and fishing.

Worn Out Wares
This beautifully curated, family-run homewares store and cafe in the centre of town is the place for vintage homewares, along with a collection of Australian-made goods such as candles. The all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch menu includes fluffy omelettes stuffed with local greens and a side of relish, as well as its renowned Reuben sandwich. Book ahead with a group for one of its delightful high teas – and don’t forget to BYO champagne.
Brokenwood Wines
One of the best wineries in the Hunter Valley region, Brokenwood Wines is the home of the classic Cricket Pitch sauvignon blanc semillon. But true wine enthusiasts should venture into the label’s distinguished premium range, during a specialist tasting at the cellar door, a 30-minute drive from Singleton.
Walkabout with Warren
Based out of Singleton, Uncle Warren Taggart, a Wonnarua Elder, hosts tours around some of the most significant Aboriginal sites in the region, including the rock paintings of Baiame Cave which sits on private land at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. A tour with Uncle Warren will also include visits to other areas of local First Nations importance, where he will share his deep knowledge of Wonnarua Culture and Country.
Muse restaurant
It’s one of the best restaurants in the Hunter Valley, so it’s not unusual for travellers to book a lunch or dinner here before they’ve even made their travel arrangements. The showstopper dish at this award-winning fine-dining restaurant on the grounds of Hungerford Hill Winery, is the Muse coconut – a dark chocolate ‘coconut’ shell filled with coconut cloud and dusted with local fruits and flowers.
Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre
Completed in 2021, this collection of modern, architectural gallery spaces hosts regular exhibitions from distinguished regional artists and art enthusiasts, such as the private collections of local collector Andrew Johns, First Nations creators and major works from talented arts students. It can be found inside Townhead Park, just a short drive into the centre of town.