Listing the many attractions of The Poacher\u2019s Way is like leafing through a small-business guide from the ideal \u201ccharming country town\u201d: galleries, craft shops, caf\u00e9s, restaurants, quaint B&Bs, perhaps a few wineries. The difference is that these businesses are spread out over a wide area, from Bowning to the northwest of Canberra, all the way to Bungendore on the eastern fringe of the national capital. This collective, formed to highlight Canberra region, is a series of places with seemingly little in common aside from small-town charm. Since its founding in 2005, many businesses have applied to join The Poacher\u2019s Way. Not all have been accepted. \u201cYou know one when you see it,\u201d says Sue Bruce, who sits on The Poacher\u2019s Way committee and is the owner of one of its original members, Poachers\u2019 Pantry.<\/p>\n\n
The Poacher\u2019s Way has promoted the collective well, attracting tourists from around the world, even posting suggested two- and three-day itineraries on its website, www.thepoachersway.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Next time you\u2019re in the national capital, it\u2019s worth spending a weekend (many of these places are closed for most of the week), exploring the area.<\/p>\n Several Poacher\u2019s Way businesses are based in Canberra itself, albeit nestled safely in the suburbs. Pialligo Village, near the airport, is an incongruous rural scene of fruit sellers and artisans. In this area, Podfood caf\u00e9 and restaurant, the brainchild of chef Andrew Haskins (formerly of Canberra\u2019s late, lamented The Fig restaurant) is as notable for its location \u2013 a 1930s cottage surrounded by the gardens of Pialligo Plant Farm \u2013 as for its fine food. Pialligo Estate winery (with cellar door and caf\u00e9\/restaurant) also makes its home here, and is quite possibly the only vineyard in the world with views of its national seat of parliament.<\/p>\n\n The restored farmhouse now provides hot-smoked meat to Tetsuya\u2019s and the business class menus of Qantas.<\/p>\n\n The Silo Bakery & Cheese Room is in Kingston, one of Canberra\u2019s oldest suburbs, where \u2013 apart from the crowds \u2013 the 1920s-style shopping area (the one-time town centre) still has the feel of Canberra when it was a small town. The Silo, even after more than a decade, can still claim to be one of Canberra\u2019s trendiest caf\u00e9s and bakeries, but its true allure can be seen in its extensive selections of wine and cheese.<\/p>\n\n The suburb of Deakin, meanwhile, is the home of Beaver Galleries, Canberra\u2019s largest privately owned gallery, showcasing the work (paintings, sculpture gardens, glass and ceramics) from a generous number of mostly local artists.<\/p>\n\n Podfood<\/a> (02) 6257 3388<\/p>\n Pialligo Estate <\/a> (02) 6247 6060<\/p>\n Silo Bakery & Cheese Room <\/a>\u00a0(02) 6260 6060<\/p>\n Beaver Galleries<\/a> (02) 6282 5294<\/p>\n\n For lovers of handicrafts, The Poacher\u2019s Way has plenty to reveal. In Bungendore, 40mins due east of Canberra, the largest and most familiar building is the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, which acts as both a gallery and a retail centre for many of Australia\u2019s top woodworkers.<\/p>\n\n Off the road to Gundaroo is the far quieter and more secluded gallery of Old St Lukes Studio, a church and school in the 19th Century that now houses the work (and workshops) of acclaimed potter Ian Jones and his partner, Moraig McKenna. Their pottery, all produced onsite in a giant kiln, is difficult for most visitors to tell apart \u2013 but Jones notes that McKenna\u2019s work is \u201ccleaner and more subtle\u201d, while his own is shamelessly \u201cin your face\u201d.<\/p>\n\n Northwest, not far from Bowning, the Crisp Galleries showcase the astounding glasswork of Peter Crisp, using the ancient Egyptian style of \u201cslumped glass\u201d. Crisp\u2019s work has been sold at Harrods in London and commissioned for Prince Charles. It\u2019s perhaps fitting that the gallery includes a performance space, in which audiences of up to 200 can enjoy regular classical concerts. The Strauss Ball, executed by a 40-piece orchestra, is held here twice a year.<\/p>\n Bungendore Wood Works Gallery<\/a> (02) 6238 1682<\/p>\n Old St Lukes Studio <\/a> (02) 6236 8197<\/p>\n Crisp Galleries <\/a>(02) 6227 6073<\/p>\n In the fast-growing town of Gundaroo, 25mins northeast of Canberra, a restaurant with the unusual (but fitting) name of Grazing specialises in organic ingredients \u2013 even the flour. Owner and head chef Tom Moore eagerly showed me the garden, inviting me to sample whatever took my interest. The fact that the food is homegrown is impressive, but even more intriguing is a glance at what they grow: not only the obvious fare (pumpkin, asparagus and the like), but thriving beds of quince, cavolo nero, lemon balm, even stinging nettle. The less-common ingredients reflect the innovative menu \u2013 wonderful renditions of pithivier (vegetable pie) or charcuterie \u2013 and the service is impeccable.<\/p>\n\n Alternatively, a visit to Gundaroo would require a trip to the old police stables, converted into the Cork Street Gallery Caf\u00e9, where the 30 flavours of gourmet pizza might impress the kids more than charcuterie. Once again, the emphasis (frequently mentioned by the owners) is on fresh ingredients.<\/p>\n\n If you are taking the western route, the road past Hall reveals Poachers\u2019 Pantry. This was first purchased as a tree change for its entrepreneurial owners Sue and Robert Bruce, who converted the restored farm cottage into a gourmet smokehouse, providing hot-smoked meat to Tetsuya\u2019s and the business class menus of Qantas. There was space on the property, so the business expanded to include a busy caf\u00e9\/restaurant and a winery, the Wily Trout Vineyard.<\/p>\n\n Grazing<\/a> (02) 6236 8777<\/p>\n Cork Street Gallery Caf\u00e9 (02) 6236 8217<\/p>\n Poachers\u2019 Pantry <\/a> (02) 6230 2487<\/p>\n The Canberra region has only recently started to flourish as a winemaking centre, which is perhaps surprising. The mild summers and notoriously cool winters make it far more naturally suited to vineyards than the thriving Hunter Valley region. The region\u2019s densest cluster of vineyards is around the town of Murrumbateman to the north, where one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries, Clonakilla, has been a favourite of connoisseurs since it was founded 1971 (especially its flagship Shiraz Viognier).<\/p>\n Some of the newer kids on the block have already won multiple awards, but just to be on the safe side, they include gourmet restaurants next to their cellars. Shaw Vineyard Estate, opened a mere three years ago, looks like an Italian villa, complete with outdoor dining in its Cello Cuisine restaurant. Further afield in Wamboin, Lambert Vineyards\u2019 scenic, 40-acre vineyard can be viewed over a gourmet meal at the frequently busy restaurant.<\/p>\n\n Clonakilla Winery<\/a> (02) 6227 5877<\/p>\n Shaw Vineyard Estate<\/a> (02) 6227 5827<\/p>\n Lambert Vineyards (02) 6238 3866<\/p>\n Most experiences along The Poacher\u2019s Way equate more with relaxation than athleticism. Hence, Burnelee Excursions on Horseback, exploring the trails near Murrumbateman, is a comparatively heroic activity. Also off the beaten track, but providing perhaps the most relaxed experience of them all, is Geranium House, a day spa at Hall that offers sustainability, even using recycled water and incorporating a tree-planting program.<\/p>\n\n Burnelee Excursions on Horseback<\/a> (02) 6227 5850<\/p>\n Geranium House<\/a> (02) 6230 9220<\/p>\n The Poacher\u2019s Way includes a few stylish guesthouses \u2013 \u00a0The Globe Inn in Yass, Mallee Gum Cottage in Gundaroo \u2013 that nicely suit the other country-style businesses in the collective. One of the newest members, The Old Stone House in Bungendore, is a perfect example. Two years ago, the current owners decided to double the established B&B place as an antique gallery. The furniture is authentic: Victorian-era beds, a 1910 upright piano, a 1920s Bakelite radio, two gramophones and a collection of 78s to play on them. The result is a cosy and popular B&B, a suitable place to stay after touring The Poacher\u2019s Way.<\/p>\n\n Ginninderry Homestead<\/a> (02) 6254 6464<\/p>\n The Globe Inn<\/a> (02) 6226 3680<\/p>\nIn the Capital<\/h2>\n
Where to see true artistry<\/h2>\n
Galleries to visit in Canberra:<\/h3>\n
Where to see the Fresh Fare<\/h2>\n
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Where to find the best Wineries<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Other added experiences<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Where to find the best accommodation<\/h2>\n