Last Saturday Silver Compass Tours partnered with Blind Freddy’s Bushranger Tours to take guests on a food and wine adventure with a historic bushranger twist.
The tour took people back in time and to the actual locations where the likes of Ben Hall, Frank Gardiner, O’Mealley and Johnny Gilbert roamed during the gold rush era of the 1860s.
Attendees travelled from across the Calare region to attend the event, which showcased the history of Canowindra and highlighted local businesses.
The day consisted of a guided walking tour through Canowindra; a visit to the Ben Hall gang’s Bald Hill lookout, where guests enjoyed an organic tasting from Wallington Wines ‘Bald Hill’ collection.
Margaret Wallington commented on the event, “These tours bring excellent tourism to small towns and is great for our economic growth.”
The tour then went over to the Escort Rock at Eugowra and was followed by drinks and a long lunch at Finns Old Store.
Owner of Blind Freddy’s Bushranger Tours, Craig Lawler, is an expert with bushranger history and he ‘brings the tales to life’ through these ‘bespoke’ tours.
Craig is very passionate about the local history of the Calare region, “We don’t have enough historic tourism in New South Wales.
So it is amazing that we are able to delve into history right here in the thick of the Central West.”
Organiser of the Silver Compass Tour, Kelly Picarazzi voiced that she has a true passion for showcasing these little towns as you can find ‘quite a lot of hidden gems.’
This was the first event where Silver Compass and Blind Freddy’s Bushranger Tours partnered together. They hope to continue working together to create more tailored packages for guests to explore the history and culture of the Central West.
By Kate Kiernan