A day out in the Riverina

Riverina Wineries

10–15 min by car

Griffith sits at the heart of one of Australia's great wine regions. Tour award-winning cellar doors just minutes from your door.

The vineyards around Griffith produce a huge share of New South Wales' wine, and the cellar doors are refreshingly unpretentious — you'll often be poured a tasting by someone whose surname is on the label. Names like De Bortoli, McWilliam's and Calabria Family Wines are all 10 to 15 minutes' drive from the motel, and the region is famous for its luscious botrytis semillon dessert wines. Ask the desk for a map and we'll happily suggest a loop.

Italian Tables & Banna Avenue

About 500 m · 5 min walk

The town centre — a short walk away — is packed with excellent Italian eateries, cafes and restaurants reflecting Griffith's rich food culture.

Griffith's Italian farming families shaped the town, and it shows on the plate: proper wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta and salumi, and espresso that would pass muster in Melbourne. Banna Avenue, the palm-lined main street, is about 500 m from your room — a flat five-minute walk — so dinner never involves the car. And if steak's more your speed, the Bull & Bell Steakhouse is about a kilometre from the motel.

Hermit's Cave & Scenic Hill

About 2 km · 5 min by car

Take in sweeping views over Griffith and the surrounding irrigation country from the lookout above town.

Scenic Hill rises right behind Griffith, topped by Sir Dudley de Chair's Lookout and its long views over the patchwork of vines, citrus and rice country. On the same ridge you'll find the Hermit's Cave, where Italian migrant Valerio Ricetti quietly built stone terraces and dwellings into the cliff face over two decades — one of the Riverina's strangest and most touching stories.

Pioneer Park Museum

About 2 km · 5 min by car

Step back in time at this open-air museum showcasing the history of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

Set on the hillside above town, Pioneer Park is a whole village of relocated and re-created buildings telling the story of 'Bagtown' and the canal-building era that turned dry plains into one of Australia's great food bowls. Allow a couple of hours to wander the sheds, shopfronts and machinery — it's an easy morning out, about 2 km from the motel.

Cocoparra National Park

About 25 km · 30 min by car

Bushwalk among wildflowers and rugged ranges a short drive from the motel — great for a day of exploring.

About half an hour north-east of town, the Cocoparra Range breaks the Riverina's flatness with red-gorged ridgelines, cypress and ironbark woodland, and walking tracks from short strolls to solid half-day climbs. In spring the wildflowers put on a show; pack water and a picnic, and you'll likely have a lookout to yourself.

Lake Wyangan

About 12 km · 15 min by car

Picnic lawns, birdlife and water views just north of town — Griffith's favourite spot to unwind outdoors.

About fifteen minutes from the motel, Lake Wyangan is where locals head for barbecues, playgrounds and sunset walks around the water. Birdwatchers do well here, and it makes a gentle end to a day of cellar doors before heading back for a swim in our pool.

Griffith Regional Art Gallery

Town centre · a short flat walk

Discover rotating exhibitions and local works at this well-regarded regional gallery in the town centre.

A short walk from the motel, the gallery runs a rolling program of touring and local exhibitions and is home to a celebrated collection of Australian designer jewellery. Pair it with the town's public art and the walk along Banna Avenue for an easy, air-conditioned afternoon.

Citrus Country in Season

Australia's citrus capital earns the name — orchards surround the town, and spring brings Griffith's famous citrus sculptures.

Griffith grows a huge share of the country's oranges, and the drive out through the orchards is worth it in any season — blossom-scented in spring, heavy with fruit through winter. Each spring the town celebrates with Spring Fest and its much-loved citrus sculptures. Roadside stalls sell fruit straight from the farm; bring an empty bag.