A short escape to Millthorpe

I stumbled across Millthorpe almost by accident. M and I were looking for a short getaway that was within driving distance, was picturesque and that took us away from the steel and glass monotones of city life. Et voila! There was scenic Millthorpe!

So thrilled to be in Millthorpe! © Mahesh Markus

A little gem tucked between Orange and Blayney, driving into Millthorpe, I felt like I was stepping back in time. It's a village full of eclectic charm, boutique shops, beautiful gardens, heritage architecture and a cool climate.

The first order of business was a place to stay and we chose the Truffle Shack. A rustic and simple 'shack' with all the quiet comforts of life, it was one of the most endearing places I've ever stayed in. It embraced us in its quiet solitude and made us feel like we were the only two people for miles around. I often think of the 800 oak trees that border the little shack and the grassland stretching in front far into the horizon – if it sounds romantic, that's because it is. I highly recommend a stay.

It's hard to want more... © Millthorpe Truffles

Millthorpe's very existence is closely woven with its history, and a visit to the Golden Memories Millthorpe Museum will give you a better understanding of how and why the place came to be. Run by volunteers who are deeply passionate about the history of their beautiful village, the museum showcases Aboriginal history, local family and business archives, arts and crafts, rural technology and more. I especially loved the old collection of tractors, and was glad to see that they had allocated the space to what some may call a dust-gathering exercise!

Love my tractors!

Cross the road and a little further on is the cemetary, where John Lister is buried. Lister and William Tom brought national attention to Millthorpe, when they discovered payable gold at Ophir in 1851. There's a long and painful story to their adventures, which I will let you discover on your own, but suffice to say, Lister's grave is worth the visit in its peaceful Anglican church surrounds.

Time for a spot of lunch? May be a homemade beef and shiraz pie, served with hand cut chips and fresh salad? Open seven days a week for coffee, cakes and long lunches, The Old Mill Cafe and Restaurant is the ideal haven to rest those tired feet and refresh for the evening ahead. Located on Pym Street, there's a vibrant buzz to the place, made all the more intense by the mouth-watering aromas of great food. You can count on friendly service and a warm welcome too.

Oh so tempting... © The Old Mill Cafe

If you have the time, there are two walks that take you through a slice of life in Millthorpe. There's the railway walk that's 2km and takes 25 minutes, and if you have the time, the village/country walk is 3km and takes 40 minutes. We took the latter and spent time wandering around the inside streets, along the railway and just admiring the well-cared for homes and gardens.

The local pub to go to is Gerry's @ The Commercial - the staff are super friendly and the atmosphere is ever so welcoming. Their calamari rings were so delicious, we went back for dinner as well! We were told by more than a few to have dinner at the Tonic Restaurant, but unfortunately it was closed... so that's for next time.

In fact, that's one thing to keep in mind. As would befit its historic bent, things get very still and quiet in the late evening. If you want dinner, you have to eat early – and fair enough. Or you, like we had to do one night, will have to drive to Orange. It was a pleasant drive and we were in no hurry to get anywhere fast – and we ended up having dinner at the trés cool Union Bank Wine Bar in Orange, located in the historic stables of Orange's Union Bank building on Sale Street.

Blue skies and wild roses...

We left Millthorpe with some lovely memories and experiences, and we hope to go back.