Discovering Griffith and Experiencing Outback on a Road Trip from Sydney

[ADVERT]Australia is full of thriving quaint towns and nature destinations. The charming city of Griffith caught my attention while I was exclusively searching for a town in wine-producing region. Also, the town’s unique culture and culinary scene were something not to be missed. Thus, I decided to take a road trip to Griffith from Sydney. I hired a car from a local car rental company (full list of agencies here) and set out on a journey to explore Griffith. Hiring a car is highly recommended if you want to explore the city and local attractions at your own pace and convenience.

There is no shortage of places to wet your whistle!





This beautiful town is located just 613 kilometres west of Sydney. In the entire Riverina Region, Griffith is a thriving country city, specially known for its many wineries. I took the highways towards the southwest to reach the state of New South Wales. I drove through the nation's capital, Canberra on my way west to Griffith. This quaint town is surrounded by lush forested area, acres of grassland and farms. You will see grazing cattle and sheep in the pastures while entering this beautiful town.

Does your town have a bank this beautiful?



Due to the dominant and strong Italian heritage in this town, the culinary scene boasts an ethnic cuisine. A number of passionate sommeliers and winemakers immigrated to Griffith in the past to start their own wine business. As Griffith is Australia's largest wine-producing region, you will find acres of vineyards, dozens of wineries, and fruit orchards everywhere in this town. I couldn’t resist dining in here at a local restaurant. The Griffith RSL Club features an upscale bistro. The food served here is innovative and delicious. To my surprise, they have the authentic Italian osso buco on the menu. I must admit that was one of the best I have tasted. The chef also made some suggestions to try local wines to pair with the dish I ordered. Everything I ate here was delicious and praiseworthy.

Inside St. Albans Cathedral



Outside St. Albans Cathedral



Griffith is a great place to find your lodging. This food and wine destination features a diverse and multi-cultural scene. You will find everything from local hotels to old-fashioned bed and breakfasts here. If you are interested in exploring the multi-cultural community of the city, then staying at a country home is highly recommended. I stayed for a few days because my plan was to visit the nearby Cocoparra National Park.

Banna Avenue



The Old Post Office



Just 25 kilometres from the town, the scenic Cocoparra National Park is located. The park encompasses 8 356 hectares of area featuring slopes, towering cypress pine trees, dry sclerophyll forest, and colourful wildflowers. Nature lovers will be excited to know that the forest offers many scenic hiking opportunities. Some of the paths feature scenic gullies, access to the Jack’s Creek and forest floor with a range of acacia trees and clumps of ironbark. Wildlife watching is another activity to enjoy here. This park is home to the wedge-tailed eagle and the peregrine falcon. Other native birds, including thronbills, parrots, and animals such as possums, echidnae, marsupial mice, grey kangaroos, and bats are also spotted in this lush national park. After spending hours in exploring this scenic park, I headed back to my hotel in Griffith for a goodnight sleep.

Lest We Forget



Grand Sweeping Views



Where: Griffith, NSW
When: Whenever you like!
Cost: $200-$300 for a weekend including accommodation, car rental and National Park fees.
Web: www.visitnsw.com
Phone: 1800 681 141 (Visitors Centre)


Categories
#new_south_wales
#griffith
#attractions
#day_trips
#bushwalking
#transport
#hotels
#road_trips
#hiking
#lookouts
#views
#national_parks

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