Making a Country Change to the Snowy Valleys
Raise your glass to a country change: Winemakers flourish in the Snowy Valleys.
After deciding to relocate back in 1983, Cathy and Brian Gairn were on their way to Newcastle, before their plans were shaken up after a one-night stopover in Tumbarumba. They instantly fell in love with the Snowy Valleys region, and it wasn’t long before they bought a block of land and decided to build.
The Snowy Valleys region is conveniently situated halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, and is only about a 5-hour drive to each city. Timber is the region’s biggest industry followed closely by agriculture and tourism. With a wide variety of cool-climate produce, including hazelnuts, blueberries, truffles and wines, Tumbarumba and the entire Snowy Valleys region has so much to offer. But that didn’t mean their move didn’t come with some concern. ‘We weren’t sure when we first moved here,’ said Cathy, ‘but it’s just going from strength to strength.’
For a pair of Vignerons like Cathy and Brian, the Snowy Valleys has proven to be the ideal home, not only for them, but also for their prospering business, Courabyra Wines. Although the couple was uncertain about their move at first, they found the local council to be incredibly encouraging in the establishment of their vineyard, right from the beginning and throughout the entire process. After more than 30 years in the Snowy Valleys, Cathy is proud to say that, ‘the council is very supportive towards much of the tourism and agriculture business in the shire.’
Not only are Cathy and Brian very fortunate to call such a beautiful and welcoming region their home, but Tumbarumba is also incredibly lucky to have them, and Courabyra Wines. Their expert knowledge and proven skill in viticulture is truly an asset to the region, and Cathy is a longstanding member of the Tumbarumba Vignerons Association. The couple also initiated Tumbafest - the annual event that combines international acts and great wine, whist showcasing the region’s output though many market stalls.
Located in the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains, picturesque Tumbarumba and neighbouring towns boast fresh mountain air, rivers and lakes, parks, forests and farms. The area is surrounded by Mount Kosciuszko in the south, and the Murray River to the west, with Wagga Wagga and Canberra also at its doorstep.
The area is ideal for outdoor activities such as bush walking, kayaking and cycling, and according to Cathy, ‘it’s a beautiful area to be living this type of lifestyle. If anyone wanted to have a country change, I would say absolutely, definitely do it.’ Family-oriented Cathy also believes The Snowy Valleys region is a great place to raise a family because, ‘as the kids grow up, they feel a real sense of place and a sense of family. It makes you really proud to be a part of this community.’ The great number of public and private schools throughout Tumut, Adelong, Batlow and Tumbarumba, ensure that Snowy Valleys children also have access to a fantastic education, in addition to a supportive community and a beautiful natural landscape to explore.
Although Cathy and Brian never intended to make the country change and end up living in Tumbarumba, they are really glad they made that stopover during their 1983 road trip to Newcastle. ‘It’s something I’d never look back on and regret doing. I don’t think we would live anywhere else.’
For more information about what the Snowy Valleys Shire has to offer head to countrychange.com.au
Snowy Mountains Road Trip 30''
A quick road trip edit taken around the Snowy Mountains using some pretty cool drone vision.
digging the Sapphire wash in the vulcan state forest
digging the wash in the vulcan state forest for sapphires
A beautiful abandoned gold mine at Gold Creek in Brookfield Brisbane
See this abandoned goldmine by Gold Creek where gold was first discovered 123 years ago in 1895
Venture Out Australia SUP & Kayaking at Lakes Entrance by Grasshopper Travel
Ride the Trails & Paddle the Lakes in Lakes Entrance with Venture Out - offering Mountain Biking, Kayaking & Stand up Paddleboarding. Hire the gear for a self-guided adventure or book into one of our tours with a qualified local guide. Venture Out is in the business of adventure, offering tours, rentals and packages so you can get out and enjoy Lakes Entrance and surrounds. Lakes Entrance is most famous for being the Entrance of Ninety Mile Beach, but there are plenty of sights to see and fun to be had off the long stretch of sand. With quality mountain bikes available for rent and offering guided mountain bike tours on custom-built tracks in the local forest, your pedaling adventures are catered for! We also have a fleet of Sit on Top Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks & inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards for hire, so you can explore the Gippsland Lakes at your leisure. You will find our shop at 347b Esplanade, Lakes Entrance. Operating hours vary, so call or text us to inquire. Sarah Carlisle, co-owner of Venture Out has always been an adventurer. No doubt this came from the many family camping trips and being told to “go play outside” as a kid. Following a year as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development in the Philippines, Sarah launched Venture Out, with the intention of integrating her passion for adventure, business and community development. Qualifying with PMBI as a Mountain Bike Instructor, and equipped with Wilderness First Aid, Sarah will gladly guide you on her local mountain bike tracks. Situated on the Gippsland Lakes and surrounded by rivers, means endless paddling options for our Sit on Top Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks & Stand Up Paddleboards.
Fossicking in Rubyvale
We are digging, rock 'n rolling, and washing for gemstones in a dead river bed.
Pretty, but annoying birds.
A huge canvas with Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
Canberra Park Resort Review in Australian by Shannon from Grasshopper Travel
Canberra Park offers the ideal base for group accommodation in Canberra. The purpose built facility caters for groups of all sizes and also provides for independent travelers looking for short term affordable accommodation. Our ideal location in Gungahlin is only 6 kms from the centre of Canberra city making Canberra Park the perfect place to explore the city. Start planning your Canberra adventure by contacting us today! Canberra Park provides a complete accommodation solution for groups travelling to Canberra. Designed to deliver safe and secure accommodation for all guests, all rooms are located on a single level across six buildings. The rooms are equipped with heating and cooling systems providing comfort for every season in Canberra. Linen, towels, basic toiletries and bedding are provided. Managed by experienced resort operators who know the importance of a good meal when away from home, the food and beverage at Canberra Park delivers home-style meals in a community environment. The Homestead is a separate building and features a purpose built buffet and flexible seating arrangements. The hot and cold buffet – available for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus all the hungry times in between – provides for all tastes. Dietary requirements can be managed by prior arrangement. Meal packages are available including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Paddys River Falls & Adelong Gold Ruins
Music: Petit Biscuit - Full Moon
End of 2017 Trip to PADDYS RIVER FALLS & BAGO STATE FORREST, NSW
Happy Sunday Fellas! Here's a video from me and my mate's trip to the Paddy's River Falls and Bago State Forrest end of last year. They're about 5 hours south west of Sydney.
We stayed overnight in a small town of Batlow which is well known for the apple ciders.
We returned to the falls at midnight hoping to get some good astro after checking the star forecast. But we totally forgot to check the moon forecast, which happened to ... well ... ruined our plan
BLUEWATERHOLES, Snowy Mountains, NSW. Scenery, river, caves & waterholes.
Access to the Blue Water Holes via a trail that travels through plains covered with lovely snow gums; to the restored Coolamine Homestead, en route to the river that emanates from an underground source.
This video includes footage of Clarke's Gorge, the Coleman Cave, a hike through the narrow Nichols Gorge; cut-out by Cave Creek, with its spectacular limestone cliffs, and cave formations on either side.
It includes a walk down into Clarke's Gorge & you will experience panoramic views of Clarke's River & Gorge & limestone formations.
As well as the beauty of the rock features, some of which were formed more than 400 million years ago, the landscape is dotted with snow gums and black sallee (another high-altitude eucalypt with dark bark), rare discaria shrubs, and vibrant yellow billy buttons. You'll likely see grey kangaroos bounding in the distance and wedge-tail eagles circling overhead.