The Ultimate Weekend Away in Camden

The beautiful historic township of Camden is rich in history. The area has charming streets filled with heritage buildings, hinting at the town’s historical signficance. There are lovely restaurants, pubs as well as artisinal bakeries along the main drag, Argyle Street. For nature lovers, theres an abundance of mountain bike tracks and gardens surrounding the area.

Saturday

Morning

• Pick up some local fruit and vegetables at the Camden Valley Produce Market, held every Saturday from 7am-12pm. Everything you’ll find here is grown within the Macarthur and Sydney Basin, and the people at the stalls are the authentic growers and producers.
• Afterwards, explore more of the surrounding Camden Town Farm, a 52-hectare working dairy farm with public art trails and peaceful gardens.

Afternoon

• Wander through the tranquil Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan (free entry), the largest botanic garden in Australia and the official repository of native plants for the Royal Botanic Garden. Discover more than 400 hectares of green lawns, bushland, colourful gardens, waterways and nurseries.
• Grab afternoon tea at B85, Camden’s artisinal bakey on Argyle Street. The bakery makes stunning Bow Tie shaped croissants (only available on the weekend) filled with Gianduja Custard and Hazelnut Prailine. Their burnt Basque cheesecake is also popular with the locals. Grab your pastries to go as they close at 2pm.

Night

• Head to the Plough and Harrow for dinner which serves up modern pub classics. They have Guiness on tap and have just added Kilkenny Irish Ale to their collection. You’ll find the usual schnitzels, parmis, lamb cutles=s, steaks as well as an extensive menu, designed by the chef.
• On Argyle Street, visit Dive Bar, a cocktail and whisky bar hidden from the main drag. Serving mulled wine in winter, settle back into their comfy chesterfield chairs and try their negronis and array of martinis. You won’t need a reservation – they take walk-ins only.

Sunday

Morning

• Wake up early for an unforgettable experience – a sunrise flight above the bucolic landscapes of the Macarthur region with Balloon Aloft (from $299 per person). Taking off in darkness, you’ll watch the world light up as the sun rises, then finish with a celebratory champagne breakfast at the Camden Valley Inn.

Where to stay

Camden Valley Inn – this elegant Tudor-style pub and hotel began life as Camden’s local milk bar in the 1930s. Today it has 40 boutique rooms surrounded by five acres of beautiful gardens and rolling farmland. From $190 per night.