Just like the thrill that comes from destination dining, there's a joy and excitement that comes from visiting a farmers market, especially in the scenic Blue Mountains. This little farm gate market just might be the foodie adventure you didn't know you needed.
The magnificent Megalong Valley, engulfed by lush ferns, is around a 2-hours drive west of Sydney. The winding road closely follows rugged cliffs, quickly turning into a meander through twisting curves into a tranquil rainforest, resembling a scene from a fairytale. Traveller note, have your camera at the ready.
The scenery quickly opens out into vast farm fields and the scenic cliffs of Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Katoomba can be seen peaking high above, providing a platform of vantage points that are ideal for a sunset picnic.
The first sign of life in the valley is the inviting Megalong Valley Tearooms, which is also the home of the best-kept produce secret in the Blue Mountains. The Lot101 Farmgate is a cornucopia of locally grown produce that is not to be missed.
This is an authentic farmer's market that lets seasonality shape what kind of produce is available to purchase. One look at the ruby red and golden chard stalks and a whiff of delicate dill will have those creative culinary clogs turning.
Lot101 is a 600-hectare precinct that combines native bushland with farming, dining experiences and luxury accommodation, all with a focus on sustainability and putting the Blue Mountains on the culinary map.
The farm uses regenerative farming principles, with various vegetable crops growing amongst the cattle, sheep, chickens and ducks that play a part in the sustainability circle.
It's home to the fine dining Megalong Restaurant and the family-friendly Megalong Tearooms, two different venues that each bring a unique menu to sample the taste of the mountains.
On a foggy early spring morning, the market was overflowing with baskets of emerald green kale and bunches of radiant baby carrots, a mountain of free-range eggs from the nearby Kanimbla Valley, green garlic and Pink Fir potatoes just to name a few.
But no market is complete without bread, so freshly baked at the nearby Megalong Restaurant that the loaf was still warm, providing comfort and aroma that demanded butter, homemade jam and a cosy spot in the sun to savour the moment.
Held every Saturday between 9 am and 3 pm the Lot101 Farmgate Markets are a foodie adventure that should not be missed. Why not let the produce decide your menu for the weekend? Explore what is in season and try something you have never tasted before.
It’s a feel-good experience too, knowing that you’re not only buying high-quality produce that is grown in the next field but you’re supporting a local small business too.
Whether you’re a nearby local, travelling through or staying up in the mountains, add this farmgate market to your to-visit list.
Where: Lot101 Farmgate Markets, Megalong Valley Tearooms, Megalong Road, Megalong Valley, 2785 NSW
When: Saturdays 9 am-3 pm
Website: www.lot101.com.au
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