Tips on Local People, Places + Produce
The Tarndwarncoort Guide to digging into the local scene while you stay with us at Tarndie.
In these days of information overload, it’s nice to offer an edited guide of places to visit, people to meet and produce to discover.
Upcoming events in the district
-
Otway Producers Festival
Sunday 20 October
Colac Showgrounds
Dig deep into the Otway, Lakes an Plains food, drink, flowers and fibre scene.
-
Birregurra Markets
A Sunday Market in the Park.
Includes fresh produce, cakes, honey, cheese, meat and an array of stallholders.
2024: 10 November, 8 December
2025: 12 January, 9 February, 9 March, 13 April, 20 April, 11 May.
-
Birregurra Motor Show
Birregurra's famously wide street will again fill be motors of all kinds.
Satuday 15 February 2025
One or two night self-drive tour itinerary
Wool Heritage
For a period, Australia was known to “ride on the sheep’s back”. The wool industry gave Australia one of the highest living standards in the world. The economy rode high on wealth from primary exports. By the 1950s, wool was synonymous with the Australian way of life.
We’ve compiled an overnight guide for you to explore this rich heritage in built form, it’s social impact and in particular, how our family and place has evolved with the industry since 1840.
This itinerary is ideal for a midweek visit from Sydney or Melbourne.
Discover how each place connects to the wool in it’s history in the section below the itinerary.
Wednesday
Depart from Melbourne or Avalon Airports in a hire car (or bring your own!)
10am - Werribee Park Mansion tour and lunch in the Lancemore Lounge and Bar.
3pm - Guided Tour of Barwon Park Mansion, Winchelsea (September to May)
5pm - Check-in at your accommodation at Tarndwarncoort (us!)
Dinner at Brae Restaurant, Birregurra, or The Farmers Arms, Beeac or look up our local dining tips.
Thursday
Breakfast in Main Street Birregurra with a panini and coffee from Otway Artisan Gluten Free Bakery.
10:30am - Morning tea and visit the historic Wool Shop at Tarndwarncoort.
(for a 2 night stay, consider booking a degustation long lunch at Brae Restaurant in Birregurra and then stay Thursday night at Tarndwarncoort)
12pm National Wool Museum Geelong – lunch at Black Sheep Geelong Bar & Restaurant.
Return to Melbourne or Avalon airports.
-
Visit Werribee Park Mansion and discover the story of an Australian pastoral empire. Construction of the large basalt and sandstone mansion was completed in 1877 for the Chirnside family who were originally from Scotland, and made their fortune from wool across the Western District of Victoria.
-
At colonial settlement, it took in 12,000 hectares for grazing sheep and training horses. Quite possibly a centre for the Lincoln sheep breed, and most certainly, the home of Australia’s rabbit curse.
-
In a former wool selling centre, it tells the timeless Australian story of wool, fibre and textiles, alongside hosting an exciting range of contemporary exhibitions, public programs and special events.
-
A country pub, like many others, where the modern sheep farmer comes for some social engagment - as has been happening for centuries!
-
Food and fibre are bountiful where the Otway Ranges meet the Western District. Brae sets it amongst the stars.
Bookings open two months in advance - start your trip planning here!
-
Perhaps typical of many small country towns, “Birre” was home to people who worked on district properties, and shearers who would ply their trade in nearby sheds. The bowls club honours the role of sheep by centering it in the logo!
Otway Harvest Trail
The Otway Harvest Trail is your hub for Otway Ranges tourist information when it comes to food produce, places to stay and things to do. Boasting an expansive membership base of Otways businesses, groups and local producers, you will find abundant Otway Ranges breweries and wineries, markets and farmgates, and places to eat such as restaurants and cafés bursting at the seams with Otway Ranges food and produce.
Barwon Park Mansion
In keeping with the pastoral heritage that visitors to Tarndwarncoort encounter, we’ve listed Barwon Park here as an prime example of an authentic bluestone mansion and stables set in a sweeping rural landscape. It’s owned and operated by the National Trust and it’s 20 minutes away in Winchelsea.
Opening Times
September to May
Wednesday & Sunday
11:00am-4:00pm.
June, July & August
Last Sunday of the Month
11:00am-4:00pm.
Tours run on the hour: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (last tour).
Moorpark Eggs
Right next door to Tarndwarncoort, Alastair and Jemma grow the most delicious eggs!
Their 3 flocks of 700 birds move about the farm in mobile laying sheds with plenty of room to graze the pasture and bugs outdoors. Their manure helps grow good grass once they move to a new area.
Eggs available in the Tarndwarncoort Farm Shop or in local stores.