Summer Holidays in the Country
As Australians, we are very much conditioned to automatically think ‘coast’ for our summer holidays. And for good reason! Who doesn’t want to spend countless hours down by the ocean or walking along the beach at sunset? Having picnics under the beach umbrella and taking on your friends in a game of beach volleyball or cricket? There’s just something about the salt water and the lifestyle that comes with it. It really does scream Australian summer holidays.
But have you ever considered a summer holiday in the country? Growing up, my family spent years camping down by the Micalong Creek near Wee Jasper, NSW. Staying in a pitched tent, we would be up at the crack of dawn, get straight into our swimmers and spend hours launching ourselves from the swing that hung on the tree by the river. We’d swim for hours, bush walk to the waterfalls, play cricket by the campsite, head down the river track and throw a fishing line into the water, light a fire at night and eat Spam on the daily! These holidays are some of my most vivid childhood memories. The type of holiday that was carefree, basic and just about creating fun with family and friends! I often feel sad thinking that the younger generations won’t experience country holidays the way we did, without the interference of technology.
Pejar Dam - 45 minutes from Hold Cottage. Pack your kayak and your fishing rod.
As we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel after months and months of lockdown and restrictions, the thought of hitting the road again is so exciting. If you want to avoid crowds and highly populated holiday destinations while we are navigating our way out of the pandemic, we would love for you to consider our beautiful region. Book your stay at Hold Cottage and adventure around the Southern Tablelands. We have even put together a little itinerary for you.
Barbour Park
This beautiful park is situated down by Meadow Creek where you will find lush, green parkland, free BBQ’s and the Gunning public pool, which is open during the summer months. Use our picnic basket, pack it up, take the 10 minute walk down the main street and grab a shady spot under the trees.
Barbour Park - a 10 minute walk from Hold Cottage.
Gunning Public Pool
There is nothing quite like a country town public pool! The Gunning pool is situated right next to Barbour park and has its own lovely green space for you to throw down the towels and cool off. The pool is open from November through to March from 11am – 6pm, 7 days a week.
The Gunning Pub
I think most of us can say we love a good country pub meal with a cold cider! The Gunning pub is a 10-minute walk from the cottage and is the perfect way to spend a summer’s evening. Head down for an early meal and then walk to the Gunning Railway for sunset. One of the beauties of Gunning is everything is accessible on foot.
Gunning Skate Park and Outdoor Gym
The Gunning Skate Park, set in the Gunning Showground, is the perfect place for the kids. The park consists of a bowl with shallow end, spine, two hips and an extension with escalators. The skate park now also hosts a covered picnic table, bins and pram ramp/footpath to the street area.
The Gunning Pub - a 10 minute walk from Hold Cottage.
Mundoonen Nature Reserve
If you’re up for a bush walk, the beautiful Mundoonen Nature Reserve is located about 20 minutes from Gunning. This 1485 hectare reserve is located on both sides of the Hume Highway. The walk is about 2.8km long and takes around 1.5 hours return.
Wyangala Dam
There is only one word to describe Wyangala Dam when you see it for the first time – breathtaking. This dam is more than twice the volume of Sydney Harbour and is everyone’s water sports dream come true! We’re talking water skiing, swimming, jet skiing, fishing, kayaking etc. Ideal for a day trip, pack that picnic and enjoy a day in the water!
Pejar Dam
A very scenic 45-minute drive from Hold Cottage (be sure to stop off and check out the spectacular wind turbines on the way), Pejar Dam is an earth and rock filled embankment dam with an uncontrolled spillway across the Wollondilly River. The dam is full of fish (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Australian Bass) and is suitable for kayaks and canoes. The perfect summer destination for a fish and BBQ or picnic. Please note, swimming is not permitted.
Wyangala Dam - water sports dream location.
Tallagandra Hill Winery
A Hold Cottage favourite! Nothing beats sitting under the trees at Tallagandra Hill Winery during the summer months. Glass of wine (or taste them all), cheese board and live music (most weekends). It’s the perfect way to spend a summer’s afternoon.
Laggan Brewery
We’ve talked about these guys before! Not only will you be wowed by their incredible gardens but also, isn’t visiting a brewery and sitting down to a smoked trout platter and a cold beer or cider the absolute best on a warm summer’s afternoon?
Clementime Bakery
Located in Yass, 20 minutes from Gunning, Clementime Bakery is very much worth the drive to stock up on all the pastries, sour dough and Portuguese tarts!
OR if you are just after a completely chilled out holiday, check into Hold Cottage unpack and then take advantage of our big, beautiful backyard, giant outdoor games and outdoor space for a slow and relaxing stay. The cottage is double brick and we have air-conditioning throughout so Summer stays are blissful.
