The vibe
Founded in 2011, Bilpin Cider Company is situated on a 10-acre farm in the picturesque Blue Mountains, just a 90-minute drive from Sydney. Here, Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples grow in the orchard, which the team crushes to make a range of fresh, award-winning ciders (and cracking apple pie).
Open daily from 10am to 4pm, Bilpin Cider is also home to a kitchen, cellar door, scenic gardens to roam and friendly farm animals including alpacas and miniature donkeys – making it a perfect spot to stop for lunch and a drink when you’re exploring the region. Every third Sunday of the month, there’s live music – order a picnic hamper ahead of time, roll out a rug on the lawn, and bask in the sunshine. Oh, and your furry friends are welcome too.
The food
A kiosk menu is available from 10am-4pm daily. On the line-up you’ll find double-smoked ham and cheddar toasties, as well as charcuterie and cheese boards loaded with cornichons, olives, seasonal fruit, farm-picked cherry tomatoes and lavosh crackers. On weekends and public holidays, there’s a bigger menu featuring juicy burgers, fish tacos and kid-friendly offerings. Our pick is the Archie burger, made with premium Wagyu beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, barbecue sauce, mustard and mayo. You won’t be hungry after that.
The drinks
Bilpin Cider is made from 100 per cent freshly crushed Aussie fruit, with no added sugar, and they’re all gluten-free. Plus, they’re really bloody good – which makes sense, given Bilpin Cider Co is surrounded by World Heritage-listed national parks, with fertile soil, mountain elevation and a cool climate. There are around 14 different drinks on offer, spanning crisp, fruity ciders to drier sips and even a ginger beer. First time? Go for the tasting paddle, which comes with four 200ml glasses so you can sample whatever takes your fancy. Driving? The good news is there’s also non-alcoholic cider – so you don’t have to miss out on the fun.
Time Out tip
Whatever you do, you gotta order a slice of the fresh, house-made apple pie. It arrives with a perfectly golden, crumbly base, dusted with icing sugar and served with a fat dollop of cream. The inside is both tart and sweet – and tastes like something your nan would make.
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