Things to do around Taralga

Things to Do Around Taralga – A Gourmet Escape with Scenic Views, Local Flavours, and Outdoor Adventures

In the fertile Southern Tablelands of NSW, there’s a wide range of things to do Around Taralga especially, for adventurers and food and people who enjoy the land. Whether you’re relaxing with a glass of local wine while watching the grass grow, trying your hand at gold panning, or indulging in the region’s delicious food and wines, there’s something here for everyone.

The Taralga region, including neighbouring Laggan and Crookwell, boasts highly fertile soils, and that means one thing: incredible produce! Known for its premium lamb, beef, berries, and the culinary talents of renowned Aussie chefs, Taralga has quickly become a gourmet hotspot. If you’re a foodie who appreciates great local wines (good enough for Justin Hermes), and award winning restaurants, Taralga is the place to be.

But it’s not just about food—Taralga also offers an array of natural wonders and exciting events. Explore the region’s caves, embark on a truffle hunt, or cheer on competitors in thrilling bike races. The annual Taralga Art Show is a must-see for art lovers, while the Agricultural Shows and the famous Australia Day Rodeo showcase the town’s lively community spirit. From local traditions to fun activities, there’s always something happening here.

Located just a half-hour drive from Goulburn, Taralga is situated on the traditional land of the Gundungurra people, making it a destination rich in history as well as natural beauty. Whether you’re here for the food, the events, or the peaceful countryside, Taralga promises a great time.

Taralga is about a half an hour’s drive from Goulburn and is the traditional land of the Gundungurra people.

Wellness & Pampering – Relax and Recharge

• Your Soul Wellness Studio: Day Spa for self-love offering yoga, beauty, and Reiki energy healing. 79 Orchard St, Taralga.
• Haus of Hair: Thermal Shield safeguards hair during styling, resists against humidity and helps prevent styling breakdown, frizz and flyaway. 165 Goulburn Street, Crookwell, NSW. (02) 4832 2541
• MoveAbility Massage: A small locally owned business that focuses on your individual needs. Offers remedial massage, trigger point therapy, vacuum cupping and dry needling. Situated on 236 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Snip Snip Hairdressers: Stylish cuts, trims and hair treatments for a fresh look. 46 Goulburn St, Crookwell

Explore & Discover – Local Attractions and Outdoor Fun

Historical & Cultural Attractions

• Taralga Historical Museum: Explore pioneering days in the former Methodist Church, complete with historic buildings and exhibits. The grounds contain interesting displays, demonstrations and archives.
• Outdoor Art: Take a walk to admire the murals of Thomas Jackson and Amy Curran. 

• Orchard St Gallery: A hub for art lovers with wonderful art for sale, printmaking classes, exhibitions, and year-round events.
• Tour Lindner Sock Shop – The weaving machines date back to the 1970s and run Mon to Fri, offering you chance to see high-quality, colourful socks being made. This family-run business is well-known for its handmade, beautiful socks and very friendly, welcoming ambience. The Lindners takes time off from Christmas to January, so visit before or after. It’s free to watch, and larger groups (up to 30) can call ahead for a tour (30-60 minutes). The factory is also wheelchair accessible. Shop online and mention Travellarks!

Outdoor Adventures & Scenic Spots

• Abercrombie Caves: 60 km northwest, these caves offer tours, swimming holes, and bushwalking opportunities.
• Wollondilly River & Cascades: Explore, fish, picnic, and swim in nearby national parks.
• Taralga Wind Farm: Take a scenic drive to the around the wind farm and witness the impressive renewable energy turbines.
• Wombeyan Caves: Located 40 km south of Taralga, these limestone caves offer guided tours of stunning caverns and formations, including the incredible Dennings Labyrinth (check reopening dates for 2025).

• Crookwell Garden Festival: Tip toe through beautiful established gardens every November.
• Taralga Rodeo: Sporting gymkhana, usually held every January. Lots of family fun with dog trails and games.
• Fossick for Gold & Gemstones: Try your luck at Tuena Creek, Parson’s General Store in Tuena can provide panning equipment and advice. Also visit Grabben Gullen Creek for sapphires and Abercrombie Gold Trail for gold in quartz rocks.
• Crookwell Show: An action -packed weekend with sheep and cattle shows, pavilion exhibits, thrilling horse events, and Sports Shear and Wood Chop comps. You’ll see the snazzy vintage cars and bike show, the Junior Showgirl Comp, enjoy great food stalls and admire the beautiful work of locals at the handmade stalls and more. Kids love the SideShow Alley, patting reptiles and getting to know resident animals at the petting zoo. Music fills the air with rising star and singer/songwriter local, Harriet Lowe, and the rambunctious group, ‘Loose Surface.’ They call themselves, “beer-devouring demons that will rock you to your core.” It’s all a great fun climbing the rock wall too, or witnessing the “fastest potato peeler in Australia!”
• Discover Historic Buildings & Landmarks in Taralga, Crookwell and Goulburn, including the Courthouse, St. Saviour’s Cathedral, and the Big Merino in Goulburn – a famous Australian landmark built in 1985 as a celebration of the regions fine wool industry.

Wineries & Local Flavours

• Hatherleigh Wines: Taste Nick Bullied’s award-winning pinot at this very successful local winery.
• Kingsdale Wines: A boutique winery, vineyard, and cellar door, just 5 minutes from Goulburn.
• Lochani Vineyard – a family run winery producing miniscule quantities of superb hand crafted wines from a low yielding vineyard located in a demanding meso-climate. Located at 888 Jerong Road, Taralga

Good Eats

• Paul’s Takeaway, Crookwell: Regardless of obviously competitor reviews, this place is a must. For many years now, we have always received consistently beautiful service and great food. The owners daughter works tirelessly, always with a big smile. Service is quick, it’s a very popular spot, and the food is everything an iconic fish and chip shop should be. Burgers are stacked with taste, and plates are always generously filled should you wish to sit down. And yes, bread and buns have always been super fresh!
• The Coffee Palette: Make a beeline to the new kid on the block, churning out the best cinnamon donuts and melting moments you’ve ever tasted! Two bubbly ladies are serving up delicious treats and coffee from a little black mobile van on the corner of Cooper and Orchard Streets, Taralga. Great prices too!

• Trappers Bakery next door to the Big Merino, Goulburn. It’s another family owned business and a must visit for hot pies and baked treats. Owner Keith, known as The Trapper, was out in the bush with his father Bill, trapping rabbits many years ago. As dusk fell, Bill lit a campfire and baked a damper in a camp oven he’d bought from a swagman. Little did Bill know, this moment planted the seed in young Keith to one day become a baker. That dream came true with the creation of the Bakery of Goulburn, followed by The Braidwood Bakery.
• Cafe Zestt – Serves anything from steaming hot coffee and warm scone to a hearty winter lunch. 87 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Crookwell Potato Festival: Held every October long weekend. Go head on down for some spuds, entertainment and some great buys and support made in Australia products at the markets and shops.
• Watch a yabbie or pig race at The Laggan Pub. Built in 1924, the Laggan Hotel has an ol’ school pub atmosphere, with restaurant and secret gardens out back with tennis court. It’s a popular restaurant with head chef Marcia Branson and the icy cold beers go down well under a summer heatwave. But the best part? Meeting the locals at their annual (highly unusual events) which are always great community fund raisers.
• Join the Annual Ferret Race Fundraiser for CMRI: A hilarious event in its fourth year all for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Hosted by Simon Greig and the Taralga village community at Taralga Sports Club.

Foodies

• The Argyle Inn hatted (awarded a hat in The Good Food Guide 2020) due to talented chef Hugh Wennerbom. Only open for dinner Thursdays and Friday which offers a small bistro menu & Saturday is a 5-course set menu. Book ahead. Bread made in house – delish! You can also ‘Shop our Menu’ Saturday mornings 8-10am: bread, pastries, charcuterie, ferments, prepared proteins as well as local vegetables from Glenbrae Produce and Holmbrae free range eggs.
• Laggan Pantry – A unique little restaurant with kitchen garden and greenhouse, set in the grounds of the old police barracks c1837. It’s a personal dining experience here focusing on direct farm to plate ingredients. They don’t cater for walk ins, book ahead. Laggan Pantry sells its own produce and has a ‘Pop-Up’ style taproom with a paddock to pint philosophy here too. During January ‘25 you can relish their house smoked and cured gourmet platters, beer, ciders and hard lemonade from their Meyer lemons.
• Crookwell Country Markets: 1st Saturday of the month, try some tasty baked goods, fresh produce, flowers and vegetable seeds, jam and chutneys. There’s BBQ breaky or lunch. Goulburn Crookwell Railway, Colyer Street, Crookwell from 9 till 1pm.
• Taralga General Store and Tourist Info: Offers guide books on the area, hiking trails and local products – including Hannafords award winning olive oil, superb hand-crafted wines from Lochani vineyard, jams, honey and artisanal goods.
• Laggan Village Markets: Every third Saturday of the month (except Dec – when it’s the Laggan Christmas Village Markets and no markets in January). Housed in the Laggan Memorial Hall with an astonishing array of goods – books, plants, gifts, sculptures, ornaments, signs, ceramics, hand knits, leather goods, fine arts, collectables, second-hand tools and pre-loved toys. Plus you’ll find decadently delicious sweets, local honey, fantastic olive oil and olives, all sorts of jams, jellies, preserves,  pickles and home-baked cakes. Walk around, admire, drool, buy something wonderfully local, and warm the soul with a country Devonshire tea.
• Crookwell Christmas Street Festival – It’s a day of fun, festivities and community spirit, featuring a fantastic line up of activities and entertainment for all ages. Meet Santa, Mrs Claus and Elves at Santa’s Grotto. Savour delicious food and shop unique local products too. 2024 will be the unveiling of a new street art installation by renowned artist Carl Valerius.
• G Hills & Co Butchers – good quality meat – award winning snags, and friendly service – 127 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Meats a Treat – These guys have exceptionally good meats (best bacon ever!) and don’t miss their super delish in-house sauces at 95 Goulburn St, Taralga

Retail Escapes in and around Taralga

• Taralga General Store – It’s not just groceries and fresh produce, head down the back of the store and you’ll find exquisite little hand knits and gourmet goodies. christmas goodies, jams, chutneys, meats, pates, candles, homewares, body oils and more.
• Universal Books and Old Wares: Second Hand Books and Antiquarian. Located at 84 Orchard St, Taralga NSW
• Bushrangers Clothing C0: 137 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Ensemble & Co: Delicious food and coffee. Enjoy wandering around looking at all the pretty things for sale and just soaking up the relaxed ambience. Located at 75 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Lindner Quality Socks: 10^th generation sock weaving shop. You’ll love the quality and colours!
• Laggan Village Markets: See above.

• Top Paddock Crookwell -65 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Crookwell Country Retailer – 7 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Crookwell Footwear & Workwear – Family orientated & locally minded, supporter of local charities and stocking a range of products from R.M Williams, Thomas Cook, Ringers Western Pure Western, Akubra, Ariat, Redback, Goondiwindi and more.
• Vinnies Crookwell – vintage and recycled wears and accessories – 59 Goulburn St, Crookwell
• Crookwell Country Bunch – seedlings, the freshest floral blooms & carefully curated gifts
• Orchard Street Gallery and Taralga Art Show- – plenty of art work, and/0r gift a friend some art.

If you think the Southern Tablelands sounds like an amazing holiday destination, why not see our Stays with a WOW accommodation.