Yesterday morning we hit the road for day 1 of our regional shopping tour : a group of business chicks who have customers based out in regional areas who wanted to showcase the great businesses out in these areas and encourage people to visit, shop online and follow these stores over Christmas and beyond who have struggled in the drought. You can have a read of some more information from ABC Central West here. I am thrilled to be along for the ride meeting and shopping and showing you guys just why you need to get out here for your next girls trip or family holiday!
I left home at around 7am and had a gorgeous drive through Goulburn, Taralga and Oberon before arriving in Bathurst for morning tea (scones and coffee) at Bake Table and Tea. I was stoked to meet a couple of followers who popped in to say hello with their gorgeous girls too. Meet Rach and Katie!
We then went and checked out a couple of great shops:
Gorgeousness
Galleria
La Mode
Check out these gorgeous candles from local makers in Canowindra, Meeraboo a wonderful family business with some good looking (and even better smelling) candles.
If you are looking for some places to stay in Bathurst one of my readers has a couple of AirBnb places that you can stay in too that I said I would share:
119 & 326 Hannah Street Bathurst
It was then back on the road out the Orange where we stopped for lunch at The Agrestic Grocer which was delicious!
Then onto our accomodation for the night: The White Place in Prince Street. A great concept (if you love their store The White Place (a fabulous lifestyle store) then you can stay somewhere packed to the brim with all the goodies from the shop). Everything in the house is for sale and can be bought at their store back in town.
Such a gorgeous place and the perfect place for a family or girls weekend away!
After a quick radio interview with ABC Central West we hit the pavement again to check out The White Place in person…
Then onto one of THE best shopping experiences I have ever had in Australia to The Sonic to visit Igloo, Jumbled & Nimrods. There have only been a few times where visiting a shop has been a spiritual experience for me (going into Anthropologie in New York for the first time) and then ABC Carper & Home and this was the same. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. You need to visit this place. You need to follow them on Instagram. One of the best places EVER.
I wanted to move in and buy every single thing in there. It spoke to me deeply.
We got to meet Jess, who was gorgeous.
Then it was around the corner to Hawkes General Store another amazing store owned by a family who set the store up 42 years ago. Talk about seeing some changes over the year! Fem and her daughter run the shop now and have created a beautiful space filled with so many great brands (including Elms & King who we are travelling with).
Fem and Coco put on drinks for us in their courtyard out the front and it was one of the loveliest afternoons I can remember in a long time.
We then walked around the corner to Percy’s for a drink, and then onto Sweet Sour and Salt where we had the best dinner.
I happily fell into bed last night amazed by all the great things I’d seen, women I had met, family businesses I had seen, local food and wine I’d eaten and drunk, beautiful countryside I had seen, creativity I had seen. For me personally, Orange has blown me away with how fabulous it is: it’s not a country town as you might think it is but something much more cosmopolitan and chic. I would prefer to be here than Byron (but that might just me) and I cannot wait to further explore today some more areas as we head out to Young.
Do yourself a favour and bring the family or a group of friends, book a girls weekend out here and see what’s on offer. They could use the business and you will not be disappointed with what you see. Believe me!
What are some of your favourites from around this area that you need to share with us?
Comment below and add them into the mix!
I’m from Oberon! So glad you went there. Although not much shopping I’m afraid. If you’re looking for a great pub meal and you’re heading back that way, stop into the nearby Tarana pub! Mayfield Garden is also superior! I don’t know your mum, but I get a sense she would love it!
What a fabulous look at Orange… would love to head there for a weekend. Any tips on accommodation for large groups?
Love Orange! I’m from a Dubbo and we often head there to see friends but also to shop for something different. I love what you are doing with this trip. So great to highlight some of the great places in the central west!