5 reasons why Rylstone, NSW is well worth a visit
Small country towns like Rylstone, previously little-visited by tourists, are seeing a spike in interest as travel-hungry Aussies seek out exciting travel experiences and adventures closer to home.
Located around three and a half hours from Sydney, the historic town is flanked by the Cudgegong River to one side and the Wollemi National Park on the other. It’s a part of the Blue Mountains region which is further off the tourist trail than the mainstays of Leura and Katoomba.
But now, areas like Rylstone are seeing a rise in visitors in search of new destinations within their own state. So, what is the appeal of this previously-overlooked heritage village?
It’s a great base for foodie adventures
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a gourmet, then you’ve found your new happy place.
Stock up on award-winning olive oil at the Rylstone Olive Press, perfect to fry up some of the gourmet sausages from the Rylstone Butchery.
Prefer to eat out? Then be surprised by incredible dim sum and quirky pots of tea served up in quaint surroundings at 29 Nine 99 or go Mexican at Pepino’s.
If you need even more options, you’re nice and close to the restaurants of the Mudgee wine region like the acclaimed Zin House.
There’s lots to appeal to wine-lovers
The Rylstone Wine District is part of the greater Mudgee Wine Region and is dotted with great wineries which specialise in cooler climate wines. Among them, De Beaurepaire’s Wines, a family -owned operation known for its French-style wines. Taste them at the historic cellar door located in 170 year old stables or take in the beautiful views across the lawns and vineyards.
There are a number of other vineyards in the area which are also well worth a visit. For example, Naked Lady Wines where you can taste award-winning wines and munch on freshly made pizzas.
Of course, if you use Rylstone as your base and travel slightly further afield, you will have access to all of the vineyards and cellar doors of the Mudgee Region. Be sure to pay a visit to Lowe Family Wines, where you can book in for a tasting experience.
It’s surrounded by pristine natural beauty
The gateway to the World Heritage Wollemi National Park on the edge of the Blue Mountains, Rylstone is surrounded by natural beauty spots. The national park itself is vast and is the location of the Wollemi Pine, a relic plant which is considered to be a “living fossil”.
Dunns Swamp and Ferntree Gully are just a couple of the spectacular wilderness areas that any visitor to the area should put on their to-do list. Teeming with wildlife and unusual plants, the area is best discovered on one of the bush trails which cater to a range of fitness levels.
Within, you will discover a wide range of unusual plants like the Pandora Panoreana, large fig trees, lush ferns and striking orchids.
It’s home to a wide range of wildlife
There are plenty of rare and endangered animals that have made their home in the local wilderness. While exploring the area, keep on the lookout for possums, wombats and Eastern grey kangaroos. If you’re lucky, you may come across a brush-tailed rock wallaby or a broad-headed snake.
If you’re staying at one of the Rylstone accommodation options on the outskirts of town, chances are you’ll awake to find kangaroos nibbling on the grass just after dawn or come across a resident wombat or echidna. It’s a pretty magical view to accompany your morning coffee.
There’s lots of history to discover
The town of Rylstone dates back to the 1820s and you’ll still find many of the original buildings made from the local sandstone in very good condition.
Set off on the Rylstone Heritage Walk which covers 19 stops dotted around this quaint little town. These include buildings like St Malachy’s Church and the Flour Mill. There’s also the School of Arts and Memorial Hall which is now a community centre.
Learn more about the area’s Indigenous history in the beautiful surrounds of Dunns Swamp, known as Ganguddy to the local Wiradjuri people. Here, you can visit an Aboriginal art site which features markings which are believed to be over 7,000 years old.
Check our our great selection of Rylstone accommodation options by clicking here.
