Shop, sip and stay at this hidden farm and cottage on NSW’s South Coast

22 Apr 2026

Just minutes from the coast, this hinterland gem may just be NSW’s best-kept secret.

As most great finds do, it starts with a spontaneous pit stop just outside of town. My partner and I are cruising down the Princes Highway on NSW’s South Coast when my second caffeine craving hits. Pulling over, I punch “nearby cafes" into Google Maps and absent-mindedly select the top result.

Milk Haus, — A quick detour into the South Coast hinterland reveals a hidden gem. (Credit: Milk Haus)

Little do we know, this seemingly quick detour has much more in store for us. While waiting for our order, my ever-curious mind (or lack of patience) sends us wandering – and what we find revives my senses faster than any good coffee could.

Just beyond the back door, a full-blown hinterland escape unfolds. Here, guests wake up to views of rolling hills. Breakfast, and the kitchen garden it’s sourced from, is just steps away. Simple pleasures wait around every corner. Hidden in plain sight, this pastoral paradise proves that those who venture a little further will always be rewarded.

Milk Haus: the cafe

Housed in a 19th-century converted cheese factory on sprawling farmland, Milk Haus sits on the outskirts of Milton, a heritage town on NSW’s South Coast. Owned and operated by local couple Kitty and Nat, the country-style cafe and restaurant is built on the belief that good food starts with good produce.

Milk Haus, Milton — The eatery is housed in a converted cheese factory from the 1930s. (Credit: Milk Haus)

Upon arrival, we’re welcomed by three fat chickens lazing in the sun, before entering a spacious courtyard shaded by wild wisteria. Heading inside, we find rustic wooden tables spread among antique furniture and fresh flowers in full bloom.

Soft rugs are slung over chairs. Jars of jam line the shelves. Books penned by local authors are stacked proudly alongside tables. And friendly staff are ready and waiting to take our order. Caffeine cravings forgotten, we decide to settle in for brunch instead.

Underscored by a farm-to-table philosophy, the hyperlocal menu evolves around whatever is growing outside, designed to shift gently with the seasons. At the time of our visit, most dishes centred around ingredients like fennel and fig, peaches and pomegranate, almonds and alto olives.

I opt for the autumn galette, a buttery pastry filled with roast pumpkin, leek, goat cheese, sage and pine nuts. But the few forkfuls of slow-cooked lamb I manage to steal from my partner tempt me to order seconds.

The kitchen garden provides Milk Haus with an abundance of fresh produce. (Credit: Milk Haus)

Full to the brim but not ready to leave, we take our self-titled ‘digestion walk’ through the kitchen garden. Here, vines are weighed down by plump cucumbers, herbs grow in abundance and tomatoes ripen in a rainbow of greens, yellows and reds. It’s enough to convince me that I’ve stumbled upon one of Australia’s true hidden gems.

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Farm Haus: the stay

Beckoning just beyond the veggie patches is Farm Haus, the property’s adorable onsite accommodation offering. Overlooking the kitchen garden on one side and dairy farm pastures on the other, the 1930s weatherboard cottage epitomises country charm.

Farm Haus, Milton — Natural light fills the cottage interiors. (Credit: Milk Haus)

It may date back to the 1930s, but Farm Haus is fully equipped for a comfortable stay. Four spacious bedrooms draped in earthy hues sleep up to eight guests, complete with soft linens and wooden fixtures.

The open-plan kitchen is any cook’s dream come true, while two bathrooms mean no waiting around for the shower. A fireplace in the living area makes curling up with a good book easy, where bay windows let in natural light and trees on all sides ensure complete privacy.

Outside, a neat little patio is the perfect spot for a morning coffee – or a glass of local wine later on. Admire butterflies and birds as they flit about the garden during the day, before watching the sun dip below the hinterland hills come evening. Barbecue facilities, board games and a record player (impressive vinyl collection included) put this cosy cottage up there with some of the country’s best farm stays.

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But wait – there’s more

Just when it feels like we’ve seen it all, we stumble upon the retail barn. Tucked towards the back of the property, this thoughtfully curated space is a hub for the region’s talented makers, including florist Fred Made and ceramics brand, Motion.

Both local labels bring a unique style to the table, showcasing (and selling) custom pieces and handcrafted wares. Though closed at the time of our visit, we made a note of the opening hours, vowing to return for a proper browse.

Back in the car, I check my phone – shocked to discover that two hours have passed and we’re late for our hotel check-in. But as we pull out of the car park to continue our coastal road trip, it’s hard to feel anything but happy.

Usually one to stick to the itinerary, I find myself embracing small acts of spontaneity throughout the rest of our trip. Coincidentally, it turns out to be one of my favourite holidays yet.

Address: 170 Woodstock Road, Milton NSW

Overnight stays can be booked via the Milk Haus website, starting at $500 for a minimum of two nights.

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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.

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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

Carla Grossetti

07 May 2026

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With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.