Corowa sits on a bend in the river, just across the border from Wahgunyah and the Rutherglen wine region in Victoria. Plenty of award-winning wineries are in easy striking distance. World famous for sweet sticky varietals like port and muscat, there’s still plenty here for lovers of fine whites and reds.
The town boasts more modern Australian history per square metre than almost anywhere else in the country (it’s here lots of old men met to plan joining the states together into the Australian Federation), but it’s food, wine, whisky and chocolate that bring the travellers.
High art and pop art are on the agenda here too. The classic Tom Roberts painting ‘Shearing the Rams’ was inspired by a sheep farm in the area, and there’s a self-guided trail that takes in the important locations. Fans of Aussie movies should also take note: the Corowa Bowls Club was the setting for Mick Molloy’s lawn bowls classic, Crackerjack (2002).
If you plan your pit stop for a weekend, you can also check out Corowa’s popular farmers’ markets.