The Riverina, in western NSW, is one of the state’s most productive food bowls, with the agricultural industry in these parts worth billions of dollars. One of the region’s most fascinating little towns is Narrandera, where many family-owned and run farms thrive.
One of those farms is the Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard. The only orange and hazelnut orchard in the Riverina, Glendale was also the first farm in the area to grow hazelnuts. Today, visitors to the farm can climb aboard the vintage, tractor-drawn wagon for a farm tour that takes you deep into the orchard for orange picking and tasting. Visitors can also get hands-on with the hazelnut harvesting, before retiring to a delightful riverside setting for an afternoon tea and lunch, with many orange and hazelnut-inspired dishes and treats. Visitors will also delight in owner Barbara’s pink, soft-serve ice cream van, from which she serves her famous orange syrup and hazelnut sundaes!
Flora isn’t the only thing that thrives in Narrandera–the fauna does, too–notably one of our most famous native animals: koalas. The Murrumbidgee Valley National Park is home to hundreds of wild, free-roaming koalas. The local population had faced near extinction, so a new colony was introduced decades ago. The animals have since bred successfully amongst the giant red gums. Spotting koalas here in the wild is a real drawcard for nature lovers.
If you’re looking for a personal style of accommodation in Narrandera, the Tall Trees Cottage abounds with personality and good taste. This three-bedroom cottage, shaded by the tall trees of its namesake, is adjacent to the river, where you can while away a lovely afternoon, and even have a crack at fishing!
