Batlow: Apple Orchards, Cider and Discoveries

Apple orchards, pastureland and a hilly landscape define Batlow. Panoramic views across orchards and pastureland give the town its own character; you’ll also encounter apples at farm-gate outlets and from local producers. There are also cider offerings, an annual festival, forest art and insights into the region’s history. Depending on whether you’re interested in local produce, getting active in the forest or culture, you can shape your stay in different ways.

Apples and cider in all their variety

There are different ways to discover Batlow’s connection to apples: seasonal farm-gate outlets give visitors the chance to pick their own apples or buy fresh local produce. Mouat’s Farm Shop offers crisp apples, sweet cherries, farm-fresh eggs, homemade jams and local honey. So a visit isn’t just about apples, but also brings other regional produce into focus.

Cider is also part of the local offering. The cellar door at Crafty Cider offers tastings of small-batch ciders. The Apple Thief CiderHouse describes its offering as an orchard-to-glass experience. At Yesteryear Plantations, visitors can learn about the traditional distillation of eucalyptus oil; there is also a shop selling distinctive products made on site. If you’re interested in local production, you’ll find several themes to explore: cider, fruit and eucalyptus oil.

A festival in May and a day for swimming

The Batlow CiderFest is held annually in May and draws visitors to Batlow from New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. The festival features music, roaming performers, numerous markets and gourmet food vendors. Its varied program makes it a special occasion for anyone who wants to combine music and market activity with regional food.

The Batlow Community Swimming Pool has a 25-metre swimming pool, a learn-to-swim pool, an accessible ramp and a wading pool. The different pools and the ramp are specific features of the facility; they offer a helpful overview if you’d also like to consider a swimming option when planning your trip.

Forest trails and art in Bago State Forest

Near Batlow is the Alpine Ash Walk in Bago State Forest. This one-kilometre trail is easy to walk, follows a one-way forest route and features sculptures along the way. Its length and route make it a clearly defined option for a walk; remember to take the one-way layout into account.

Bago Sculpture Forest is located between Batlow and Laurel Hill in Bago State Forest. There, public artworks by local, national and international artists bring different artistic perspectives to a forest setting. The Sculpture Forest and the Alpine Ash Walk offer two distinct ways to experience art in the forest: along the trail or through public works in the landscape.

History and local character

Batlow emerged in connection with the 19th-century gold rush. In 1854, gold seekers came to Reedy Creek, the name Batlow was then known by. Another historical milestone followed in 1923, when the first cold stores in New South Wales were built in Batlow. These dates mark different stages in the town’s history, from the gold rush to the cold stores.

Batlow Museum is run by the Batlow Historical Society and is located in the former St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church building. Visitors can learn more about the region there. If you’re interested in Batlow’s history, you can plan a visit to the museum as a cultural highlight alongside experiences focused on the landscape and local produce. The Big Apple is described in Batlow as the town’s biggest attraction.

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house in Batlow, you can consider which aspects of the town matter most for your trip: orchards and local produce, cider, forest and art, or history. Find more places at the same destination level under Yarrangobilly, Gocup and Adelong.

For the wider travel overview: Tumut Council.