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OBERON, MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE....
With the most spectacular scenery in rural NSW and at the heart of The Tablelands Way experience, Oberon lies on Wiradjuri, Gundungurra & Duhrug country. The town of Oberon is ideally situated just 3 hours' drive west of Sydney and north of Canberra. Reach the high country, breathe in our fresh mountain air, and know you are truly on top of the plateau with elevations from 300 to 1,360 metres above sea level. Enjoy the cool country lifestyle and four true seasons including intermittent snowfalls. We find many tourists visit again and again, increasing talents such as chefs, artisans and local producers are settling in our district and sharing their craft and knowledge.
Oberon was named in 1863, inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Incredible vistas of the region as you enter from either direction give the feel of being in Shakespeare country. Discover more rich history at Oberon’s Museum Precinct. Much of our district is covered by national park, pine forests and agricultural land, so our landscape lends itself to a variety of outdoor activities. Oberon offers many opportunities to reconnect in nature and make lifetime memories such as seasonal mushroom foraging, truffle hunting, bushwalking and birdwatching.
Many visitors come to simply relax in their accommodation and soak up the surrounding landscape. Nothing better than sitting back and enjoying spectacular views from a secluded veranda. During the cooler months you can warm yourself by an open log fire and sample the local wines. Tourists come for our spectacular national parks and tourist attractions such as Jenolan Caves and Mayfield Garden. We have top quality musical and theatre talents appearing at the Malachi Gilmore Hall which is one of the last surviving art deco theatres in Australia, lovingly restored and proudly standing in our main street.
Our heritage is predominantly agriculture and forestry, and these remain the key industries in our area. Fertile grazing produces the region's beef cattle and sheep; one family-run sheep station receiving the honour of the 2nd highest price ever recorded in Australia for a meat sheep. Visitors can taste quality local produce at monthly Farmers Artisan Markets where you can meet friendly locals who will enthusiastically share their own stories of life in Oberon. Tourists are happy to spend their dollars on unique dining and tasting opportunities and the chance to book into one of the interesting workshops run by local experts in their craft. Learn about Oberon’s rich pioneering history and visit one of our 5 Museums in town. If you are lucky to be here on the first Saturday of the month you can visit the Oberon Rail Museum and be treated to a morning or afternoon tea onboard the vintage dining car!
Field to Forest annual Festival is an ideal time to visit, not just for our incredible Autumn colour and temperatures but you will be offered an array of activities, such as guided wild mushroom foraging tours, local tasting experiences and unique truffle hunts. The Producer’s Table is the grand finale event where guests can hear from passionate talented regional producers and sample their food with a 3-course menu cooked by a renowned chef whilst being entertained by carefully sourced musicians. This is a popular sell-out event held at the beautiful Malachi Gilmore Hall bringing people from near and far
Walk or cycle the sealed 6klm historic pioneer rail trail. Stretch your legs on local bushwalks and birdwatch or grab your camera, a locally prepared picnic and drive out to further afield world heritage Kanangra-Boyd National Park. Take a rewarding paddle in your kayak on Lake Oberon, open to anglers all year round for trout fishing. Described by one visitor as having the most spectacular scenery anywhere in NSW, see for yourself and take a drive through our picturesque countryside to nearby surrounding historic villages where you will find delicious country pub lunches. Seek out local vineyards and distilleries, art galleries and open gardens. Or simply picnic by an idyllic riverbank and find solitude in nature.
Oberon is the hidden gem of the Central Tablelands, and these are just some of the attractions to tempt you, so why not stay awhile, book guided tours or self-guide and take in all we have to offer, something to suit everyone. Oberon has a common thread; traditional hospitality is guaranteed.
During your visit be sure to come into Oberon Visitor Information Centre, open daily 9.30am-5pm, where staff will gladly assist with all your enquiries and help you with planning your visit. View our display of merchandise and local produce to perhaps purchase and take ‘a little bit of Oberon’ home with you!
LOVING OBERON?
Vote for this top town in the 2024 Top Tourism Town Awards
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EXPERIENCE OBERON
Mayfield Garden https://mayfieldgarden.com.au/
Glamping accommodation experience in Mayfield Garden, dinner and breakfast. Full garden access on day of arrival and day of departure:
Take in some of the most spectacular scenery in NSW as you drive towards Oberon from any direction.
Friday: Arrive in time to immerse yourself in this world class garden just 10 mins drive from the township. Enjoy lunch in the Restaurant or catered picnic in the Garden. Check-in is from 4pm and comfortably appointed glamping tents are located by Mayfield’s Obelisk Pond, each fitted with authentic natural fibre rugs, premium queen size beds, and high-grade linen.
Relax or take a hot shower before making your way to the Garden Restaurant for a three-course a la carte dinner included in your Glamping Package, with the choice of indoor or outdoor dining. Dinner served at restaurant from 6:00-8:00pm.
Guests can relax in the well-lit covered area, before stargazing and retiring to their tent for the night.
The biggest bonus for glampers is exclusive night-time and early-morning access to the entire 65-hectare garden, including the private family estate. Mayfield staff will happily cater a sunset picnic or early-morning breakfast, complete with a bottle of champagne; take breakfast in the Garden Restaurant or you can even arrange to have breakfast delivered to your tent!
ESSINGTON PARK https://www.essingtonpark.com/
One-Day Sourdough Workshop and Lunch:
Just a few minutes' drive from Mayfield Garden lies Essington Park, a graceful homestead circa. 1860.
You will be treated to a one-day informal, relaxed and fun workshop by your host and renowned chef, Simmone Logue who demonstrates the art of making a starter, all you need to know about bringing the world of sourdough baking into your everyday life and some of Simmone’s favourite toppings and accompaniments for easy entertaining.
Begin with morning tea and welcome by Simmone with discussion about the joys of sourdough baking.
A non-daunting approach to baking with bits of easy-to-get technical information sprinkled throughout.
Back to the bench to check on fermentation and see how our bread is rising. Shape bread into your own banneton basket for you to take home or be kept rising at Essington if you are staying overnight. Your bread will be ready to bake the following day.
Simmone will then demonstrate how to score your bread and bake in a Dutch oven along with two of Simmone’s favourite toppings for sourdough bruschetta, which we will enjoy with a glass of wine or a cup of tea to finish our day.
What you will take home:
1 x jar of Simmone's three-year-old sourdough starter
1 oval banneton basket
1 x cotton liner
1 x bread lame with 4 extra blades
1 x pastry scraper
1 x recipe booklet including tips and tricks for your best baking life
TOURIST HOTEL https://www.touristhoteloberon.com.au/
Accommodation and Dinner, Breakfast:
Take a short drive into the township of Oberon and enjoy a leisurely walk in the main street where you will find delightful cafes, butchers, bakers and shopping outlets, including eclectic gifts and antiques.
Book into your accommodation for the night at the art deco styled Tourist Hotel in main street, Oberon. Your host and chef Edmond Power will welcome and tempt you with the Tapas style menu and an extensive range of wines in the comfortable lounge setting and wine bar. Taste home-cooked food using local produce, including a range of vegetables and herbs from Edmond’s Garden which you are welcome to view and pick from yourselves!
Stay and enjoy a hearty cooked breakfast.
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THREE DAYS IN OBERON
Feel new! Be surprised when you get away from it all to beautiful Oberon with World Heritage listed experiences, gastronomic delights with fabulous truffle experiences and quirky restaurants. Enjoy bespoke ancient craft & cooking experiences tailored for the curious. Enjoy carefully curated accommodation experiences from bed and breakfast accommodation set in the idyllic rural landscapes to private self-contained hideaways for two surrounded by beautiful forests. Come and visit our pristine national parks and enjoy forest bathing surrounded by natures best cure with stunning scenery, waterfall pools for bathing and listening to the sound of peace. Feel NSW!
