Visit Collector: How to spend a weekend in Collector – Part 2

So you’ve read Part 1 of our Visit Collector guide and you’ve got your accommodation sorted. Now it’s time to find out where to eat and drink! You’ll need two days just to eat and drink your way through everything that Collector has to offer.

Where to Eat and Drink in Collector

Some Collector

This café has been on my ‘to eat list’ for quite some time so I was happy to finally dine here. It didn’t disappoint and it was bustling with people enjoying a bite to eat and a hot drink. One of the things I loved most about visiting Collector in winter was that every place I visited had a roaring fire and it was magnificent. The fire at Some Collector was warm and comforting. There were two sitting areas to choose from. One was a larger room by the fire and another was a smaller room where you order you food and drinks.

The menu is small but satisfying and their cakes and pastries looked divine. I went with the shakshuka. The soft egg was baked in a rich tomato sauce topped with feta. It was an enjoyable dish and they make a really good cup of coffee too. Some Collector is open for breakfast and lunch. It’s also a great spot for coffee and cake.

Visit their website to find out more https://www.somecafecollector.com/

Lake George Winery

I’m constantly amazed by Canberra’s incredible wine region. We are surrounded by award-winning wineries with many now dishing up delicious food, and Lake George Winery is one of them. Take a short 10-minute drive from Collector and you’ll find Lake George Winery.

Sarah McDougall and her husband Anthony, who previously owned the Summer Hill vineyard in Bywong, are the owners of Lake George Winery. Sarah has recently been nominated for the 2019 Australian Women in Wine Awards.

Lake George Winery was one of the first wineries in the Canberra region and was first established by Dr. Edgar Reik in 1971. You can visit Lake George Winery for a wine tasting and enjoy a cheese platter or a meal while you’re there. They also host different events like art classes and cupcake decorating for the kids during school holidays. Sit out on the verandah during the warmer months and enjoy the beautiful view.

Visit their website to find out more https://www.lakegeorgewinery.com.au/

Kiki’s in the Grove

Kiki’s in the Grove is another sign that I always see when I travel between Canberra and Sydney. It’s another venue that’s been on my ‘to eat list’ for a while. From Collector, it’s just a short 5-minute drive up the Federal Highway and it’s only a 45-minute drive from Canberra CBD.

This gorgeous café is surrounded by Fedra Olive Grove so you have a beautiful view overlooking the olive trees and the surrounding landscape. It’s a café, bakery and gift shop in one. You can also enjoy olive oil tasting and they’ve just started running some special events like a Mexican night and spring high tea.

It’s the perfect spot to meet your friends and family for breakfast or lunch. You can pick up a gift or two while your there, take some baked good and homemade pies home with you. You can even pick up some cheese, cured meats and a bottle of Canberra region wine or two to enjoy in the afternoon.

I enjoyed the delicious mushroom dish, a few picolos (the make a great coffee) and Kiki gave me some of her amazing homemade pies to takeaway!

Visit their website to find out more http://www.kikisinthegrove.com.au/

Lerida Estate

You’ll find Lerida Estate just down the road from Lake George Winery so make the most of the proximity and stop in at both. Visiting both wineries would be the perfect way to spend your afternoon while staying in Collector. You’ll be able to pick up a few bottles of wine to add to your collection or to enjoy back at your accommodation.

The view at Lerida Estate is absolutely stunning as it overlooks Lake George. I enjoyed the wine tasting with the fun and friendly staff and one of their incredible platters. You can sit amongst the barrels inside or make the most of the view in the other seating area. Make the most of the beautiful view and grab a seat outside if the weather is nice.

Lerida Estate were just awarded the Best Restaurant in a Winery for ACT at the Savour Awards.

Visit their website to find out more https://www.leridaestate.com.au/

The Historic Bushranger Hotel

The Historic Bushranger Hotel is a country pub with lots of character. It’s open from 11am until late 7 days and you can enjoy a beer in their beer garden or at the bar. Their bistro is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday-Sunday. It’s the only place open for dinner on a regular basis in Collector so stop in and enjoy a pub meal in their bistro.

You’ll get to meet some of the locals and you can sit in one of the many dining areas and check out the walls and shelves that are filled with historical photos and memorabilia.

I enjoyed a delicious meal of bangers and mash. The sausages we full of flavour, served on a bed of creamy mash, smothered in a rich gravy with peas on the side. Every mouthful was delicious and it was the perfect dish to enjoy by the fire with a glass of red on a cold winter night. Their meat is purchased from a butcher in Queanbeyan and their menu includes typical pub meals as well as a range of pizzas.

They can also cater for group bookings, functions and parties. They had a big booking of 40 people from a car club who were stopping in for lunch on the weekend that I visited.

Visit their website to find out more https://thebushrangerhotel.com.au/

Collector Wines

The Rose Red City Sangiovese by Collector Wines has been a favourite of mine since I visited Yazzbar in Yass. We enjoyed a bottle with a delicious platter while soaking up the sunset in the outdoor area. My love for Collector Wines doesn’t stop there. I’m yet to meet a wine from Collector Wines that I don’t like.

Their wines are hand-made for balance, character and depth of flavour and they have a range of unique wines to choose from.

Alex McKay is the winemaker behind Collector Wines and he’s played a big part in putting Canberra region wine on the map. He was the winemaker for Hardys’ short-lived Kamberra venture in the late 90s. Hardy’s Kamberra winery was the first medium-sized winery established in the region. SInce then, Alex has continued making wine in the district.

You’ll also find a range of handmade products for sale at their cellar door.

Collector Wines cellar door is in the same building as Some Cafe so stop in for a wine tasting before or after your visit to Some Cafe. If you stay at the Collector Cottage you can walk home after your wine tasting and maybe a glass or two!

Visit their website to find out more https://www.collectorwines.com.au/

What else?

Selah Gardens

If you’re looking for a unique venue for weddings or events then you might want to check out Selah Gardens. The gorgeous three acres of country gardens include a wood fire pizza oven, fire pit and bbq, enclosed outdoor pergola, studio conference room, Queen bed studio apartment and many beautiful intimate garden spaces. There’s also a large oval for marquees and sports such as volleyball and croquet! You can use any or all of these facilities to create your perfect wedding or event.

Visit their website to find out more https://selahgardens.com.au/

You’ve probably heard of the annual Collector Village Pumpkin Festival that’s held on the first Sunday in May each year. The festival celebrates rural life and the harvest season, using pumpkin as the theme. The 2019 festival featured more than 100 stallholders so you might want to add this event to your calendar. Enjoy pumpkin scones, pumpkin soup, shopping, activities, entertainment and lots of eating.

Go for a drive or a walk around Collector to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy nature. There’s also an art gallery and some interesting sculptures to check out. Check out this article to find our more about the large sculpture that can be seen from The Bushranger Hotel.

Did you miss Part 1 of our Visit Collector guide? Check it out so you can book your accommodation and start planning your visit to Collector.

This is a sponsored post but all opinions are the authors own. Photos (except for the Selah Gardens wedding photo) are by Amelia Bidgood.