TIPTOE THROUGH THE HILLTOPS

Dear ghosts of gold-mining past, I reckon you were short-changed because there’s phenomenal treasure still to be found in these hills. Midway between Sydney and Melbourne, the rural NSW Hilltops region and surrounds await as a brilliant destination for retreat and discovery. A handsome collection of historic townships, wineries and lashings of country-style hospitality guarantee an overflowing food-basket, ripe for the picking.

BOUNTY HUNTING

Semi-confidently striding for some time through a paddock of kind-eyed Angus lawnmowers, I balk at a creek too wide to straddle in my strappy slip-ons. Desperate to meet