This year you can see the stunning canola fields from the sky. Photo: Goldrush Ballooning, Paul Gibbs.
Time is running out for sightseers keen to catch a glimpse of the region’s golden canola fields.
Worth an estimated $4.5 billion to Australian farmers in 2021-2022, canola is grown for its seeds which are crushed to produce a rich oil low in saturated fat.
Fields literally spring to life in carpets of bright sunshiny yellow flowers in August and September, and generally look their best from mid-September until mid-October.
A tourism industry has sprung up around the photogenic fields, with documented drives through the Hilltops and Riverina regions.
The Hilltops Canola Trail starts at Young and meanders its way through Boorowa and Harden, while the Riverina Canola Trail includes Coolamon, Junee and Temora.
This year sightseers can experience the breathtaking beauty of the crops a number of ways – from cars, buses, trains and even a hot air balloon.
It’s not too late to book one of Goldrush Ballooning’s seasonal flights out of Temora. And after the flight you can celebrate with a delicious cool glass of Prosecco, juice and chocolates.
Canola fields in full bloom. Photo: Temora Shire Council.
If you’d rather do it yourself, a self-drive adventure can take in all the heritage of local towns, museums, restaurants and pubs full of local produce. Throw in a visit to the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory, the Coolamon Cheese Cooperative and the Temora Aviation Museum and make a weekend of it.
You can also detour to the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre to visit the memorial site of the World War II Japanese Prisoner of War camp.
If self-drive doesn’t appeal, hop aboard a bus or train operated by NSW Travelink NSW. A Country Pensioner (CPE) ticket is available to eligible pensioners and seniors from NSW and the ACT to travel to regional NSW.
You can learn how to capture images like this. Photo: Canberra Photography Workshops, Peter Reichstein.
But a word of warning for all the “Insta-addicts” from Australian Farmers Federation spokesperson Trevor Whittington.
“Muddy boots and tyres tramped from one farm to the next is a risk of triggering fungal and bacterial disease.”
Farmers also don’t appreciate you trampling their crops.
So enjoy yourself, take lots of photographs but respect the working farm boundaries and forgo that picture of yourself immersed in the blooms – you could be placing farmer’s livelihoods and the Australian economy at risk.
Original Article published by Danielle Cleary on Riotact.
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