Stay awhile...
Looking for suggestions on where to go and what to do? Look no further.
Day 1
We will show you around the house and give you the lay of the land in terms of the farm. We suggest allowing us to arrange dinner tonight, with a wide range of options, from a full sit-down meal, to something less formal.
Finish the evening with a nightcap by the fireplace in the entrance hall.
Day 2
Explore our beautiful local area
Go for a leisurely 20 minute drive through the rolling hills to the town of Casterton, proudly the home of the kelpie. Grab a coffee and visit the Australian Kelpie Centre and Museum, which also doubles at the Information Centre. Walk up and down Henty Street and visit the unique range of shops and consider booking in at one of the local pubs for an evening meal during your stay. Casterton has a supermarket with most items available.
We suggest rounding out your day by returning to Talisker and taking a walk through the farm before settling in with a drink at our outdoor fire pit.
Day 3
Visit Coonawarra
South Australia’s iconic wine region is just across the border and has so much to offer in terms of food and wine experiences. If you don’t have a willing driver, why not let us arrange this for you? Coonawarra is a one hour drive away. There are more than 24 cellar doors in close proximity to each other.
Why not call into one of the local Casterton pubs on your way home for dinner to round out what is sure to have been a fantastic day.
Have a chat to us about planning your trip.
Day 4
Farm day
After spending a day in the Coonawarra region, we think today would be the perfect farm day. Wake up and take a short drive away (20 minutes) is the town of Coleraine, where you can pick up the paper and call into local favourite, The Catching Pen, for breakfast or coffee.
Come back to Talisker to enjoy a long lunch, or even a farm picnic. We can also arrange a farm tour for you where you can spend time learning about the farm, and seeing more of its unique features, including a cemetery.
Day 5
Hamilton, Grampians, Cavendish
If you’re feeling energetic, today is a perfect day to explore a bit further. From the top of the hill (or the viewing platform) at Talisker, you can see the outlines of the Grampians. Drive to Hamilton, and take your time exploring the local cafes and shops, and then head onwards to Dunkeld.
In Dunkeld, you can wander the main street and take in the views, and if you’re feeling up to it, we highly recommend driving a short distance out of town and taking a walk up Mt Sturgeon, Mt Abrupt, or the less challenging, but still satisfying, Piccaninny.
On your way home, we highly recommend driving through Cavendish. Not only is it a beautiful drive back to Talisker, you can also call into our favourite local pub, The Bunyip Hotel. The Bunyip is not your average country pub and boasts some real culinary clout. We strongly recommend a lunch or dinner at The Bunyip Hotel in Cavendish (45 minutes from Talisker) if you are with us during their opening days.
Day 6
Portland & Cape Bridgewater
Less than a one hour drive from Talisker, the historic town of Portland awaits. With sweeping coastal views, the industrial foreshore and fishing galore, Portland is a place well worth a visit.
Around 19 kilometres west of Portland is the small community of Cape Bridgewater. From here, the Discovery Bay Coastal Park stretches 50 kilometres north-west along the coast. Cape Bridgewater is a hiker’s paradise and there are several lookouts perched above the beaches which overlook Bridgewater Bay. Fur seals can be sighted in the area during their breeding season.
Day 7
Farewell
Wake up and take one last walk through the laneways before heading off. Ask us about planning your onward trip, or even just where to get a coffee on your way home. We look forward to hosting you again.
Other things to see and do
Budj Bim
An hour away from Talisker, one of Australia’s great national heritage landscapes, Budj Bim is recognised nationally and internationally as a special place that offers unique and authentic visitor experiences of a living Indigenous culture, a history and a landscape which does not exist anywhere else.
Mt Gambier & Limestone Coast
An hour’s drive from Talisker, Mt Gambier is a town with a lot to offer, with an abundance of natural beauty, including the famous Blue Lake, Little Blue Lake, Centenary Tower, Umpherston Sinkhole and Engelbrecht Cave, all within the town boundaries. Mt Gambier also packs a punch in terms of its food, wine and shopping experiences.
Lower Glenelg National Park
Located under an hour from Talisker along the Glenelg River this park is perfect for walking, sightseeing, picnicking, canoeing, boating, water skiing and fishing. Take a cruise from Nelson up the river past the magnificent limestone cliffs and abundant wild bird life to the stunning Princess Margaret Rose Cave.
Henty Wine Region
A relatively spread-out wine region, named after the original founding family of Merino Downs (of which Talisker was originally part of), the closest winery to Talisker is only 20 minutes away. Talk to us about planning your trips to these local wineries and we can help you plan your visit.
Harrow
If you’re looking for true country charm, consider putting Harrow on your list of places to visit. Home of Australia’s first Aboriginal cricket team to tour England in 1868, the Johnny Mullagh Cricket Centre commemorates this and is a must see for cricket enthusiasts and history buffs alike. For the motor enthusiasts, don’t miss the Harrow Transport Museum.
Byaduk Caves
In the Mount Napier State Park, the Byaduk Caves are the most extensive set of lava caves in Australia. The caves form an intricate connection of underground tubes, created when the lava from nearby volcano Mt Napier solidified on the surface and molten lava continued to flow underneath.
Penshurst
Penshurst, located at the foot of Mt Rouse, is steeped in volcanic history, showcased at the Volcanoes Discovery Centre. The dormant volcano Mt Rouse rises 100 metres above the surrounding plans at Penshurst, 20 minutes east of Hamilton. The road access to the Mt Rouse Lookout provides panoramic views of the lava plain. A visit to the Volcanoes Discovery Centre will reveal the unique story of the formation of the lava flows known as the Kanawinka Geotrail. We highly recommend a visit to the Penny Wine Bar, or the local bakery depending on the time of your visit!
Port Fairy
A bit of a drive from Talisker at 1.5 hours, Port Fairy is a beautiful coastal village. It has come a long way from its fishing village roots, but still retains so much of its original charm. A haven of good food and wine, we would recommend arranging to spend a night or two in Port Fairy on your way to or from Talisker.