The ‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’ culinary event is held each September in Forbes. Set alongside the picturesque Lachlan River, guests are free to wander along the designated corridor of the nine-mile reserve between seven stations offering delicious food with a matched beverage.
Located in the heart of the Lachlan Valley, Forbes is a rich primary producing area, perfect for grazing on local lamb, freshly caught fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s also a gazer’s delight with incredible indigenous night sky’s, views from beautiful accommodation, art and history.
The biggest food and wine event in Forbes, ‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’ event focuses on produce native to the Central West region. It features a fusion of locally farmed and foraged produce, with traditional bush tucker, a traditional welcome to country and live entertainment. The festivities all weekend with the Amazing Grazing Community Breakfast then head to the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for free workshops.
Forbes is located a five-hour drive from Sydney or there are flights from Sydney to Parkes with REX airlines. Parkes is a 20min drive from Forbes.
Forbes is renowned as an agritourism hub with a rich array or grazing and gazing experiences:
- The star-lit night sky ‘gazing’ experience in this region are incredible including Indigenous night sky experiences. For example, at Seven Sisters Ridge the Dreaming story tells of seven young women, known as the Mulayndynang in Wiradjuri language, who leapt into the sky to become the stars of the cluster we now know as the Pleiades.
- Graze at the monthly Forbes Farmers Markets in historic Victoria Park featuring fresh local produce (4th Saturday monthly) with producers including local pork, preserves, fruit and vegetables, plants and sweet treats. Enjoy a fresh bacon and egg roll and coffee whilst you browse.
- Gaze at the stunning views from your accommodation at Girra Girra Retreat, luxury sustainable accommodation; Carrawobitty Rural Retreat, a grand two storey homestead; and Yarrabandai Creek Homestead, luxury farm-stay cabins.
- Graze on local BBQ fish from the Lachlan River – while vast areas of NSW are in drought the Lachlan River is still thriving with excellent fishing experiences for Murray Cod, Golden and Silver Perch, Catfish and Redfin. Fish with the experts at Loomzy’s Fish N Fix and Blue Sky, Forbes. There are many picnic and BBQ facilities along the River and in town.
- Gaze at the Forbes’ Amazing Project – 17km from Forbes a huge red-letter sculpture of AMAZING sits amongst the gum trees by the Lachlan River. Back in town is ‘Pyramid’, a 1.9m high bronze sculpture in Albion Park, and the larger than life ‘The Bull’ by sculptor Andy Scott.
- Gaze at Ben Hall’s Grave and unique history on a Centenary of Federation Heritage Trail Walking Tour which includes the Forbes and District Historical Museum, Forbes General Cemetery and various historic buildings dating back to the gold rush.
Central NSW begins just two hours’ drive from Sydney with food and wine trails, galleries, museums, markets and gorgeous country lanes. It includes Oberon, Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
Unearth your Central NSW experience in Forbes at www.somewheredownthelachlan.com
