Traveller Magazine. March 2022
Central NSW: The best new regional boutique accommodations and dining you need to try
There used to be an unspoken agreement when travelling in regional NSW. In exchange for the wide-open spaces, soul-cleansing vistas and heartfelt hospitality, city dwellers would need to recalibrate their expectations regarding accommodation and dining. Hotels would be functional rather than fancy and restaurants reliable rather than revolutionary. At least, that used to be the case.
Even before the pandemic, regional hubs like Orange and Bathurst had been quietly upping their game. Then COVID came along and droves of talented city slickers relocated to the bush. As a result, you'll now find high-end boutique accommodation and fine-dining restaurants throughout Central NSW. But are they any good? On a gruelling five-day itinerary, I selflessly volunteered to find out.
CARCOAR
Admire the restored Georgian and Victorian architecture in this tiny one-street town, which, despite its diminutive size, is home to high-end homeware store Tomolly and an award-winning Italian eatery, Antica Australis.