The Australian town on Lonely Planet's list that tastes like my grandmother's home

When people think about places to visit around Canberra, popular coastal towns such as Kiama and Gerringong are often the first to come to mind.

But less than a 30-minute drive from Canberra, there is a century-old storybook town that made it onto Lonely Planet’s list of Australia’s Top 500 destinations—Gundaroo.

Founded in 1847, the town is still home to only a little over 1,000 people. Along its main street, you will find preserved 19th-century cottages, old pubs, general stores and churches. Wandering through the town can sometimes feel like stepping back into Australia’s gold rush era.

Here are some of the best places to eat and explore in Gundaroo.

Cork Street Gallery Cafe

Almost everyone who visits Gundaroo seems to stop by this gallery cafe for its pizza.

The entrance is tucked away along a small garden path, and the cafe itself has been converted from an old house. It has a warm, rustic and homely atmosphere. Besides the dining area, there is also a tiny gallery in the courtyard displaying pottery and hand-painted artworks, which you can browse while waiting for your meal.

Pizza is the cafe’s speciality, and the ingredients are incredibly fresh. I ordered a seasonal vegetable salad, and the flavour immediately reminded me of childhood—the kind of cucumber salad made from vegetables freshly picked from my grandmother’s garden.

The cafe is not open every day and only operates from Thursday to Sunday, so it is a lovely weekend destination for anyone looking for a short trip from Canberra or Sydney.

Here are two dishes worth trying.

Mediterranean Pizza

Despite the name, this is essentially a seafood pizza topped with prawns, mussels and baby octopus. We ordered a medium, which was enough for two people.

Pizza is clearly the star of the menu. I believe it is baked in a wood-fired oven, because every time a fresh pizza came out of the kitchen, the scent of burning wood drifted through the cafe.

The food can take a little while to arrive, so this is best enjoyed when you are not in a hurry—somewhere to sit in the sunshine and let the afternoon pass slowly.

Greek Salad

The vegetables and ingredients here are genuinely fresh. While waiting for our meal, we could even see some of the produce being picked and prepared.

The cucumber, capsicum and celery were crisp and full of moisture, and each ingredient tasted distinct and full of its natural flavour. I had not tasted vegetables like that in a very long time. The closest memory I had was eating produce freshly picked from my grandmother’s garden as a child.

The serving was also very generous. It was the kind of salad that could leave you completely full on its own.

Grazing Restaurant

Grazing Restaurant is located inside the historic Royal Hotel, built in 1865.

Its chef previously worked at Courgette, a well-known fine-dining restaurant in Canberra. Grazing has now been operating for more than 20 years and is a good choice for anyone looking for a refined multi-course meal.

Locals particularly recommend the lamb rump and ribs.

Alongside its food, Gundaroo is also known for the historic buildings lining Cork Street.

There are 25 heritage-listed buildings along the town’s walking trail, including an old post office, church, bakery and several former shops. Each weathered wall carries traces of the families who lived and worked here over the past two centuries.

Gundaroo Colonial Inn

This building was constructed in 1873 and is easy to spot along the main street.

It originally operated as a commercial hotel under a man named Noah. Later, the Crowe family transformed it into the Star Wine Saloon and Gundaroo Wine Bar.

The name Matt Crowe can still be seen on the building today. He continued working behind the bar until the age of 92, and his name eventually became part of the town’s identity.

For generations, stopping here for a beer has been a familiar part of local life.

Sally Paskins’ Store

This tiny shop on the main street looks like a little European cottage from a storybook.

The building was constructed from local materials in 1870. Sally began operating the store in the 1880s and was known for keeping a cockatoo near the front counter.

Today, the shop is still full of character. It immediately catches your eye from the street, and inside, it is filled with vintage ornaments and nostalgic objects.

Anyone who enjoys browsing antiques and second-hand treasures may find it difficult to leave.

The Gundaroo Store

Built in 1893, this brick building was constructed using bricks made on site.

It once formed part of Gundaroo’s small commercial centre and housed several local businesses over the years. Today, it is a private residence.

The Caledonia Store

This building was constructed in 1880 by William, one of the town’s early pioneers.

It operated as a general store and was once a thriving local business.

The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel was built in 1865 for the same William mentioned above.

After changing hands several times, its liquor licence was transferred to a hotel in Queanbeyan in 1928.

Today, the building has been transformed into the award-winning Grazing Restaurant, where many Canberra locals come for wine and dinner.

Soldiers’ Memorial Hall

When it was first built in 1890, the hall was used as an elite skating rink.

Today, it hosts community meetings, trivia nights, weddings and film screenings.

I especially love the colour of this building. It is also a beautiful spot for photos.

Spring is probably the best time to visit Gundaroo, when the flowers are in bloom and Canberra has plenty of seasonal events taking place.

Gundaroo is also located near Lake George, making it an easy stop for people travelling from Sydney to Canberra for Floriade or Tulip Top Gardens.

A lovely afternoon road trip could follow this route: Gundaroo → Lake George → Tulip Top Gardens → Canberra.