Tag: Bilpin

  • The Bilpin Apple Pie, Bilpin, NSW

    Crumb one, crumb all to see a true work of tart – the Bilpin Apple Pie! The sweet treat rests on the back of an old truck, a few kilometres north of the sleepy township of Bilpin. He’s certainly not a short crust, in fact he’s quite tall!

    My encounter with this homemade hottie proved to be a pie-opening experience. The round rascal is certainly odd, and the only Big I know of who drives a vehicle. He’s perfectly placed for a strudel-icious photo – and that’s pudding it mildly.

    Honestly, anyone who says nice pies finish last doesn’t know what they’re on about.

    Bilpin is famous for its apples, cider, and baked goodies, and is a lovely place to visit when the weather’s pie and warm. On the way through, you’ll also drive pastry the iconic Fruit Bowl. There are plenty of trees around, so Bilpin’s certainly not out in the dessert or anything.

    If you prefer the apple without the pie, trot on over to Tallong or Yerrinbool. I’m sure you’ll find them both (red) delicious!

    The Cottage Orchard Cafe is right next to the Pie, and the friendly owners serve a range of sweets and savouries to suit any palate. I like my pies stuffed with meat and swimming in tomato sauce, but decided to turnover a new leaf and test the local produce. My verdict? Un-quiche-lievable!

    The Bilpin Apple Pie is worth baking the trip out to see, but the question remains; where’s the Big Dollop of Ice Cream to go with him?

  • The Big Fruit Bowl, Bilpin, NSW

    The Bilpin Fruit Bowl, Bilpin. New South Wales

    Aussies are berry much in love with giant fruits, with the Big Banana, Big Melon, Big Pineapple and Big Mango currant-ly amongst the country’s most popular roadside attractions.

    Consider Bilpin’s Big Fruit Bowl to be a sort of grape-est hits collection. There’s a wide variety of fresh produce all in one place, and some sub-lime sculpting skills on display.

    Despite looking a little tired and in need of a lick of paint, the Bilpin Fruit Bowl is exquisitely designed, detailed, and easy to take a photo with. At two metres tall it’s big enough to take one’s breath away, without being too large to appreciate the finer features.

    Whilst I visited with my platonic friend Gordon, I can imagine it would be a wonderful place to take a date.

    The Big Fruit Bowl is plum by the side of the main road as you cross the Blue-berry Mountains. The adjacent fruit shop and the sprawling peach, apple and nectarine fields behind it have been owned and operated by the Tadrosse family since 1985, and this Big Thing sprouted around that time.

    It’s possible to pick your own fruit on a weekend – the perfect souvenir of a delicious day out. Needless to say, a trip to Bilpin will be a fruitful endeavour!

    And then one grapeful day…

    Tragedy struck in 2019, when ferocious bushfires roared through the region and destroyed a large portion of the Fruit Bowl’s farmland. More than 6000 fruit trees were razed, causing $3 million damage.

    The Bilpin Fruit Bowl, thankfully, was saved from a flaming fate. Small mercies for some big fruit!

    Bilpin is a beautiful village surrounded by natural wonders. It’s possible to go hiking, camping and traipsing through award-winning gardens in a single afternoon. Or trot up to The Bilpin Apple Pie for a slice afternoon!

    The local cider is apple-solutely scrumptious! The pink blush variety will (fruit) bowl you over, and there are non-alcoholic options for the kiddies… or a tiny alien companion!

    Pull up a chair, citrus in the shade, and admire Bilpin’s Big Fruit Bowl!