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Newsflash
• It's a Girl! Western Plains Zoo welcomes Asmara the giraffe The second female calf born to the zoo's breeding program since 2003, has been named Asmara after a city in Africa. Please contact Shallon McReaddie on 02 6881 1400.
• Bathurst Spring Spectacular 2006 For the second year in a row, Miss Traill's House and Garden the elegant National Trust home built in 1824 will be transformed from colonial Georgian bungalow to ‘The House of Flowers'. Featuring carpets and curtains of roses, and bedspreads of spring flowers it's not to be missed. 28-29 October, 321 Russell St, Bathurst.
• New country fitness retreat FreshStart Australia takes health enthusiasts from Sydney to Foster on 4 or 7-day fitness overhauls, Celebrity Overhaul style. They also offer on-going personal training sessions in Sydney upon your return. www.freshstartaustralia.com
• Eric, Australia's most loved crocodile turns 60! The Australian Reptile Park in the Central Coast will be celebrating the birthday of their infamous crocodile, Eric. As part of the celebrations, from 30 September-15 October, kids will be treated to complimentary showbags, special workshops and birthday cake with Eric. Special accommodation packages will be available. www.reptilepark.com.au
• Experience Ripples on the Creek You'd be hard pressed to find an Alpaca farm and luxury accommodation on the same property, but Ripples on the Creek located near Kyogle has launched this unique experience. www.ripplesonthecreek.com.au
• Mantra Aqua opens to a Stella applause Stella Resorts' newest property at Nelson Bay has 110 two and three bedroom apartments with expansive views of the bay. Special deals from $52 per person in a 3-bedroom pool room (sleeping 6 people) are available. www.stellaresorts.com.au
• Photographic Alpine Safari Take a tour of the Perisher Valley Alpine surrounds with professional photographers who share their expert tips and knowledge. Tour includes transfers from Sydney, accommodation and meals. October long weekend only. Limited numbers. snowsafari@nikon.com.au
• Blue Mountains restaurants have their cake and eat it too The Restaurant and Catering Awards held in Orange last month solidified the high standard of local restaurants and cafes in the Blue Mountains, with the region taking 18 awards - including Restaurant and Caterer of the Year. Contact BMTL on 02 9489 9783 for more info.

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Fly and Drive
The North Coast of NSW offers this flexible and perennially popular travel combination due to both the accessible regional airports, and small towns scattered all the way up the coast. Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar include destinations such as Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Ballina/Byron and Gold Coast in their flight plans, with various car-hire companies located in each airport to complete the combination of a fly/drive holiday. Here are a few itinerary ideas to whet your appetite:
• Fly to Coffs Harbour, drive to Sawtell Check into Sawtell on the Beach, a new property of three luxurious beach houses, and unwind with the sound of breaking waves. Over the next few days drive inland and explore the lush hinterland - visit the creative hub of picturesque Bellingen, take the famed Skywalk in the Dorrigo National Park among the canopy of the forest or swim underneath the stunning Dangar Waterfalls. www.sawtellonthebeach.com.au
• Fly to Newcastle, drive to the Hunter Valley The Hunter Valley offers an array of local vineyards, restaurants and activities. Peppers Convent in the Pepper Tree Vineyard offers the best of each Hunter experience in one locale. Savour the Pepper Tree wines at the cellar door, dine at the renowned Roberts Restaurant and relax in the unique luxury country accommodation that the Convent has to offer. After you've experienced as many vineyard treats as possible, take a drive south-east to the coast of Swansea and marvel at the beautiful sandy beaches, sandy inlets and open lake foreshores at Caves Beach. Explore the sea caves at low tide and breathe the salt air. www.peppers.com.au
• Fly to Ballina, drive to Byron Fly in, drive north to Byron Bay, and check into the new East on Byron resort on Belongil Beach. Drive through the picturesque hinterland towns of Bangalow, Nimbin, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah, crossing the World-Heritage listed Border Ranges. Head further north to Kingscliff, home to new luxury resort Peppers Salt and Spa which includes the biggest Golden Door spa in Australia. ww.peppers.com.au ; www.byronstyle.com.au

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Spring Racing Carnival Fever
The NSW Heart of Country region celebrates in true style the biggest racing days of the season - Epsom Day, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Derby Day, Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day. So start planning your racing wardrobe, study the form and head out to the following big race days around the regions.
• Epsom Handicap Day - Saturday 7 October
Bundarra - Bundarra Jockey Club on 02 6723721
Scone Scone Race Club on 02 6545 1607
Forbes - Forbes Jockey Club on 02 6581 1818
• Caulfield Cup Day - Saturday 21 October
Gunnedah - Gunnedah Jockey Club on 02 6742 0093
Wagga Wagga - Murrumbidgee Turf Club on 02 6921 2151
Corowa - Corowa Race Club on 02 6033 1184
Other meets - Inverell, Bowraville, Bombala, and Narromine
• Tattersall's Cox Plate Day - Saturday 28 October
Albury - Albury Racing Club on 02 6025 1333
Armidale - Armidale Jockey Club on 02 6772 3102
Mudgee - Mudgee Race Club on 02 6372 6035
• VRC Derby Day - Saturday 4 November
Berrigan -Berrigan and District Race Club on 02 5885 2233
Other meets - Queanbeyan, Tumut, and Balranald
• Melbourne Cup Day - Tuesday 7 November
The Melbourne Cup will be celebrated at the following locations:
Muswellbrook, Tamworth, Moree, Armidale, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Corowa, Dubbo, Orange and Wentworth.
• Oaks Day - Thursday 9 November
Albury - Albury Racing Club 02 6025 1333

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Twitting around NSW
If you're a bird-watching beginner, it can be a challenge tracking down Australia's many feathered friends. Likewise, if you're visiting a new area and are keen to spot species of bird you haven't seen before, doing a little research or joining a tour can be a good way to start. After all, birds of a feather flock together, and people who've been there and ‘spotted' before can provide valuable knowledge.
Regional options for bird-lovers:
• Follow That Bird Organised bird-watching tours across the state - choose from the Myall Lake Bird-watching Weekend, Honeyeater Migration in the Blue Mountains or Lyrebirds at Minnamurra Falls. www.followthatbird.com.au
• Lord Howe Island World Heritage-listed in part for its extensive seabird colonies - 14 species breed on the island in hundreds of thousands. See them at Ned's Beach, Muttonbird Point and Mount Eliza. The Island's forests and pastures have an additional 18 landbird species such as the rare Woodhen. Contact Ian Hutton's Lord Howe Island Nature Tours: www.lordhoweisle.com.au
• Newcastle and Hunter Valley The Parrot Tour is just one of several specialist tours for bird lovers. On this tour, see large sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets and King Parrots www.birdingtours.com.au
• Pilliga Forest, Central NSW This area is home to over 230 species of common and rare birds such as the apostle bird and white-winged chongu. Use Camp Cypress as your base, where tours can also be arranged www.campcypress.com
• Cowra Bird Routes Pick up a brochure from the Cowra Visitor Information Centre to follow the eight specified bird routes in the area. Ph 02 6342 4333

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Postcard from Berridale
Located between Cooma and Jindabyne, Berridale is known as the 'Crossroads of the Snowy' and is noted for the historic row of poplars running along its main street. The town provides easy access to the family ski resort of Selwyn Snowfields or the larger ski resorts like Thredbo and Perisher Blue. A popular summer base for fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, boating and other activities, Berridale is close to both Lake Jindabyne and Lake Eucumbene.
Other highlights:
• Cool-climate wine tasting at Manfred's Last Vintage Head out to Manfred's Last Vintage near Berridale to sample and purchase wine with the distinctive taste of the Snowy Mountains. Only available at the cellar door, the 2003 vintage is one of the best on record. Ph 02 6456 5041
• Visit the Eucumbene Trout Farm Learn the art of trout farming and see Rainbow Trout at all stages of growth during a guided tour. Go fishing or just relax and enjoy a picnic. BBQ facilities are available to cook your freshly caught trout or buy fresh or smoked trout to take home. www.jindabyne.com
• Be Part of the Alpine Adventure Explore the rugged beauty of the Snowy Wilderness, a 7,200 acre wilderness property adjoining Kosciusko National Park in the heart of Australia's High Country. Snowy Wilderness offers you a multitude of activities including, brumby watching, fly fishing, horse riding, guided quad biking, 4WD, trekking and camping. info@snowywilderness.com.au

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Country Fare
It's straight from the farm to you when you pick your own (PYO)
Pick-your-own farms are cropping up throughout NSW. Simply take a drive and buy from the farm itself, or make a day of it and PYO with friends and family.
• Capital Country:
Young - Allambie Orchard Cherries. Mid-November to December. Ph 02 6384 3243
Murrumbateman - Blueberry Farm Blueberries. Late-December to mid-January. Ph 02 6230 2346
• Central NSW:
Orange - Hillside Orchard and Craft Centre Cherries. Early-December to early-January. Ph 02 6365 2247
Huntley - Huntley Berry Farm Strawberries, raspberries, currants, youngberries. November to May. Ph 02 6365 2247 Mudgee - Menah Orchard Peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, olives, pecans, almonds, apples, quinces and pears. December to March. Ph 02 6372 1059
• Blue Mountains:
Bilpin - Pinecrest Orchard Apples, peaches, plums and pears. December to April. Ph 02 4567 1143
• New England:
Bulga - Hillsdale Orange Orchard Oranges. Ph 02 6574 5173
Niangala - Koolkuna Berries Raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, currants, blueberries, brambleberries and jostaberries. Late November to May. Ph 02 6769 2221
• Southern Highlands:
Sutton Forest - Montrose Berry Farm Asparagus, strawberries, gooseberries, currants, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. October to late-March. Ph 02 4868 1544
• South Coast:
Ulladulla (South Brooman) - Clyde River Berry Farm Blueberries, youngberries, boysenberries, blackberries, raspberries and marionberries. December and January. Ph 02 4478 1057

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Mini-break to Leura
Leura in the Blue Mountains offers pretty tree-lined streets, picture-perfect homes and English and European-style gardens. Visitors can browse in beautiful galleries, bookshops, antique stores and enjoy chic eateries and tea houses. Whilst there, a visit to the Everglades Gardens (created by renowned Danish landscape designer Paul Sorenson) is a must with 13 acres of terrace gardens and stunning views over the Jamieson Valley.
Other Leura highlights:
• Wicked indulgence at Café Josephans - This Blue Mountains chocolate café is a MUST for the die-hard chocolate lover. A winner at the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Show at the 2006 Royal Easter Show for its range of hand made chocolates. Ph 02 4784 3833
• High Tea at Bygone Beautys - Enjoy traditional afternoon or Devonshire Tea, or visit the Antiques Emporium that houses the Blue Mountains' largest private collection of antiques and collectables. www.bygonebeautys.com.au
• Book into a cheese-making class - Learn the art of making quality cheese in the beautiful surrounds of St Raphael's College. Ph 02 4784 2839.
• Meander through the gardens after too much food, food, food... Leura Gardens is just the place to work off a complete food indulgence. The internationally acclaimed annual Leura Gardens Spring Festival is on from October 1 to 9. Ph 02 4757 2539.
• For shopping in Leura, stop in at Moon Tree Studios, a cottage store which receives international orders for their unique candles. Leura Whisk is a unique destination for quality kitchenware and stylish gift ideas. www.leurawhisk.com.au
• Check-in to the luxurious Old Leura Dairy - For a totally unique experience, stay at the Old Leura Dairy, choosing from six available lodgings - Moo Manor, The Milking Shed, The Worker's Cottage, Straw Bale House, Buttercup Barn or The Studio. www.oldleuradairy.com.au
• Keen golfers will love to tee-off at Leura Golf Club as the 14th hole is one of Australia's most scenic.
• Train and toy buffs will love the Toy and Railway Museum with an amazing collection of antique toys in the grounds of Leura House.

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Sleepovers in NSW for less than $100
We've found some great accommodation for under $100 per person per night for couples or families:
• Carrango Homestead in Tumut was built in 1895 and provides comfortable rustic cottages from $45 per night (low season). www.currango.asn.au
• The Carriageway Resort at Dungog in the Hunter Valley has four converted railway carriages which the kids will love. Carriages are from $80 per night (Mon-Thurs) including breakfast. www.carriagewayresort.com.au
• Lake Edge Resort on the Lake Mulwala offers two-bedroom rooms and condos with resort facilities including indoor heated pool and spa. The Spa Suite starts from $132 per night, accommodating 2-6 people. www.lakeedgeresort.com.au
• Country Roads in Nabiac is a rural farm escape set on 89 acres giving guests the chance to live the country life. Roast marshmallows around the campfire or milk the cows. Cottages start at $155, accommodating 5-7 people. www.countryroads.com.au
• Tugalong Station in the Southern Highlands sits on 5340 acres and offers horse-riding, four-wheel driving, canoeing, bushwalking and kangaroo safaris. Rooms start at $95 per person per night, in the Old Wing of the property. www.tugalongstation.com.au
• Trilby Station situated on the Darling River is a working sheep and cattle station. You can lay your swag and camp under the stars or stay in the old Shearer's Bunkhouse and workers cottages. From $95 per person, including dinner, bed and breakfast. www.trilbystation.com.au

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What's on in September to November
Deni Ute Muster, 29-30 September Deniliquin is known as the Ute Capital of the World since its induction into the Guinness Book of Records in 1999. Every year a new record bid is attempted, on this long weekend. www.utemuster.info
Albury Wodonga Region Wine & Food Festival, 29 September-1 October Indulge in a bonanza of gourmet food and wine from around the region. www.hmfb.org
Griffith Festival of the Gardens, 13-16 October A 2006 Tourism NSW Regional Flagship Event, each year 12 private gardens are open to the public from stunning small cottages gardens to large acreage creations. www.griffith.nsw.gov.au
Batlow Apple Blossom Festival, 21-22 October Batlow is famous for its apples, cherries and stone-fruit orchards - a festival of cooking, art and craft making, wine tasting, animal viewing, flora and fruit-picking. www.tumut.nsw.gov.au
Jazz in the Vines, Pokolbin, 28 October More like a picnic in the vineyard with good friends, fantastic food and Hunter Valley wines. www.jazzinthevines.com.au
Eden Whale Festival, 2-5 November A 3-day community event celebrating the annual migration of whales through the waters of Eden. www.edenwhalefestival.com
Land of the Beardies Festival, Glenn Innes, 4-12 November Experience several Celtic flavoured events to celebrate the Scottish, Welsh and Cornish folk who settled in the original Glen Innes area working as sheep graziers and miners. See the Bearded Stockman competition, street parades and market stalls. www.gleninnestourism.com
Snowy River Festival, Dalgety, 17-19 November A celebration of Snowy River heritage and Snowy River Recovery including the RM Williams Stockman's Challenge, novelty races, bush poetry competition, dancing and Snowy River Food Fair. www.snowyriverfestival.com

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NSW Uncovered Archive
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For more information about travelling in New South Wales go to www.visitnsw.com.au