Penrith is located 55 kilometres east of Sydney at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Most of Penrith Valley is located east of the Nepean River and west of Ropes Creek. Penrith Valley covers an area of 407 square kilometres and has a population of approx. 172,000.
With semi rural areas, market gardens and a thriving local cottage industry, Penrith Valley is the perfect place to pick up organic, gourmet or farm produce. Visitors to the area can follow the Penrith Valley Food and Wine Trail.
One must stop on the trail is Penrith Valley Oranges. Penrith Valley Oranges only sell direct to the public, so the oranges are guaranteed to be fresh and the prices very reasonable. Visitors can either pick their own fruit or buy a box from the farm gate or shed.
Another unique stop on the Food and Wine Trail is the Sun Masamune sake brewery. It is the first and only sake brewery in Australia. The quality of the sake is so good that the brewery exports 80% of it's produce back to Japan. Sun Masamune's Go-Shu Australian Sake Products are pure rice wines that respect the traditions of finest quality sake, but enjoy the benefits of Australian Japonica rice and pure water from the Blue Mountains. Sake is preservative free, making it virtually hangover free!
Blue Mountains Honey is an Australian product generated by a company owned by Genevieve and Steven Craig. Blue Mountains Honey Company has grown substantially, exporting its goods to other countries and finding its niche in the gourmet foods market. Among the company's many specialty items is a wide range of fruited honey, such as apricot, mango, and ginger.
A food and wine trail would not be complete without wine and that's where Vicary's Winery comes in. Vicary's is the oldest continuously operating winery in Sydney. When Cecil Vicary took over the property in 1916 he converted the woolshed to a dairy and planted the vineyard in 1918. The first wines were made in 1923 and the winery opened for business. These days visitors can drop by and sample the wine or buy a bottle to take next door to the woolshed for the famous Woolshed Dances.
The Dinner and Dance night commences at 7:00 pm at the Wine Cellars for wine tasting until 8:00 pm. There are also full bar facilities available in the Woolshed. Dinner is served and everyone can sing along and dance to the fantastic bush band.
If you feel like a special treat you can't go past a Krispy Kreme doughnut, and their signature doughnut: the Original Glazed! Penrith was the first location outside of North America to sell these iconic doughnuts.
Further information:
Qantas will fly you one way to Sydney from $120 ex Melbourne, $126 ex Brisbane, $179 ex Adelaide, $197 ex Hobart, $271 ex Perth and $273 ex Darwin.
Prices available online only & include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply.
Prices correct 14/3/05.
Rooms at the Holiday Inn Penrith Panthers start from $120 mid-week and $150 on weekends, twin share.
Subject to availability.
Holiday Inn Penrith Panthers: Ph. 1300 666 747.
For more on the Penrith Food and Wine Trail, contact Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre.
Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre: Ph. 1300 736 836.
Prices correct at 18/4/05.
