There is nothing quite like flouncing around in an orchard, picking your own apples, pears and plums.

My friend Holly’s family owns Pine Crest Orchard in Bilpin NSW and I had one of the funnest days ever running amok, picking their horticultural goodies and clambering down to their secret waterfall. Less fun was the large, thirsty leech that attached itself to my foot. GAH.

But seriously, Bilpin is gorgeous and there is something oddly satisfying about picking your own fruit.

What’s more, Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens is just up the road and you can pop into their café for lunch or a cuppa on the terrace.

Sweet little bakeries that sell everything from homemade fudge to freshly baked apple pies are scattered along the road so you can stop in for a sugar fix or pick up some goodies to take home.

Sometimes you need to escape to a world of sunshine, bellbirds and fresh, mountain air. Bilpin is a great place to do that.