Red Earth Estate Winery – Dubbo – NSW From $15

Red Earth Estate

We got to Red Earth Estate Winery about 10am not knowing that gates do not open till 11am. We had a bit of a drive and turned up not long before opening. This was going to be a one night place before we moved on. We thought it looked nice and peaceful so made it two nights when we booked in.

Please excuse the quality, we are still learning using our drone 🙂

Turning up at The winery

The owners mentioned we had to have our own shower and toilet but we could put our grey water on the ground. A bin was also by the main gate and they tell you how to get in and out when they lock up.

If you want power and water you need to book in advance or chance your luck that they are not booked. If you do not want power and water I’m sure you will be fine. they’re not open on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wine tasting

The first day we sat and had cheese and a wine tasting with eight other couples also camped there. They kindly invited us to join them. Some bought boxes of the wines they had tasted they enjoyed them so much. The cheese and nibbles plate was $22 the wine tasting was free. They had red, white, sparkling and desert wines.

Ken the owner bought out each wine, telling you what flavours etc. are in it. I’m not one bit a wine connoisseur but he made each wine sound so interesting and delicious.

They close at around 5pm but we were all relaxing and talking so much it was way passed that when we got back to our van… Nice we didn’t have to call a taxi 😉

Around Dubbo

The next day we had a drive to Dundullimal homestead at the end of the road. I noticed they had a cafe and thought it would be a lovely place to look around and have a coffee. Built in the 1940s it’s believed it’s the first sophisticated slab house in Australia. Unfortunately it’s not open until about the 1st March 🙁

Next door to the Winery is an Observatory. The gate weren’t open but I guess looking at the stars, its open at night.

We totally relaxed on the second day. Enjoying the peace and the passing hello’s of our fellow campers so we booked for a third night.

Helping out

Larry had a chat with Ken the manager about our past jobs and his jobs as a Mechanic and Utilities manager on Hayman Island. The next day Ken asked if Larry was bored and said he was welcome to do some mowing on the tractor. As Larry is missing his big boys toys I’m sure, he was happy to oblige.

Although Larry was happy to get amongst the vines and wasn’t expecting anything for it Ken was good enough to give us some wine. Sad that Larry’s not really a wine drinker like me :p

At the Zoo but not in it!

Two minutes down the road is Taronga West Plains ZOO. We had already looked at costs to get in to the zoo (about $50 each). On our budget it was a no no, But, We had a drive in and had coffee and a pie each at the cafe ($18). I’m so glad we did as you can see Ring Tailed Monkeys in the middle of the lake opposite the cafe. Black Swans and loads of turtles come over to see if you have something to feed them. If you have children or big kids 😉 you can take them on the cool play area. We even stopped at the fence at the side of the zoo and had a good look at the Rhino’s, so cool!

As you drive into the zoo on your right is a large dirt area, it has Dump point and water to fill your tanks.

You have so many more things to see in a short drive to Dubbo, like the Gaol and shopping centres if you are in need of groceries or chain stores.

Red Earth Estate is one you arrive at and start to feel at home, quicker then you think you will when you arrive our two night stay ended up as four nights.