_{In partnership with Forbes Shire Council}

Every year, at the changing of the seasons, the Amazing Forbes township in New South Wales is deluged by travellers either heading north for warmth, or going south when the temperatures gets too hot ‘up there’.

Forbes puts on its most magnificent displays at this change of seasons, as the earth awakens after its winter slumber. It’s springtime – when a drive to Forbes takes you through a landscape of deep green crops and grasses, the blazing yellow of contrasting canola, and the newest generations of lambs and calves playing and finding their feet.

The mighty Lachlan River is a life force that many towns have been built upon over the centuries, and Forbes is one of them. This mighty watercourse forms one of the key bases of life for this area – nourishing the agricultural, economic, tourism and leisure industries. Some days are fearful, like the historic flooding of late last year, but to paraphrase John Denver, most days are diamonds.

This tranquillity, this oneness with the beautiful natural environment, forms the backdrop to one of Forbes’s flagship events – Grazing Down the Lachlan – where guest ‘grazers’ are ferried to the start of the degustation on location at Forbes’s iconic Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail. They are then treated to fine food and matched beverages at stations dotted along the banks of the Lachlan.

Forbes made good friends with caravans long ago – boasting four well-appointed caravan parks, stays at the showground and free camping options. You can also reset your travelling soul with retail therapy. Take home something special from any of Forbes’s boutique shops and fill your fridges – and bellies – with fine fare from supermarkets, local producers or restaurants.

Don’t be fooled by the thought that you are driving into a small country town – Forbes is a vibrant place full of fun, laughter and community spirit.