Struggle to relax? We’ve found the perfect reset just a few hours from Canberra
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A stone’s throw from Tumut, you’ll find Nimbo Fork Lodge and Three Blue Ducks restaurant tucked into a picturesque valley and framed by the beautiful Tumut River.
A weekend away can be a much-needed reset if you’re able to get your mind to settle down and relax. Luckily, we’ve found the perfect solution – and it’s just a few hours from Canberra.
Meet Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork Lodge – a collection of luxury cottages, brimming birdlife, river frontage, a lodge, and a nose-to-tail restaurant that serves up some of the best views and food you’ll find in NSW – all sourced ethically from the surrounding lush farmland.
From the moment you turn onto Nimbo Road, lazily surveyed by cattle on the adjoining properties, you get the sense you’re somewhere special. Passing through the gates and turning the final bend, you’ll be greeted by the stunning Nimbo Lodge and six luxury cottages.
The passionate team set the scene immediately upon arrival – relaxed, smiling and eager to help you settle in. I’m usually the type of person who takes a day or two to get into the swing of a holiday (usually just in time for our weekend to end!). Still, at Nimbo we couldn’t help catching the vibe – shoulders relaxing, steps becoming slower, gentle breaths of fresh air, and quickly letting weekday-life slip away.
The beautifully situated Lodge and cottages look over the Tumut River.
Whether you pick a room in the Lodge with a view from up the hill, or a romantic getaway in one of the cottages, you’ll enjoy high quality finishes, stunning views from your porch or deck, and soft furnishings that envelope you.
Entering our cottage, we were taken aback by the thoughtful details – a breakfast hamper for the next day, tips for exploring the region, speedy Wi-Fi, abundant toiletries and even complementary bug spray.
We began our weekend with a leisurely stroll along the riverbank where wombats, echidnas and platypus are often spotted, before heading to the bar for a quick drink whipped up by the brilliant bartender Lucy (the Nimbo Spritz was a great, light pre-dinner option).
Watching the sun set slowly over the surrounding hills, Nimbo’s Manager Gemma shared with us the hikes, fly fishing and kayaking options available close by. She said we were just in time to catch the beginning of her favourite time on the property, with some of the leaves already starting to signal the change to autumn.
We soon headed into the Three Blue Ducks restaurant, ready to kick off our Chef’s Selection menu ($95pp for five amazing courses) matched superbly with wines from across NSW. Nimbo is Three Blue Ducks’ most regional of their five locations, and is a place focused on modern, memorable, sustainable cuisine.
The bright, modern dining room at the Three Blue Ducks.
Set in a clean, bright dining room with six-metre ceilings, we began with a standout starter of slow braised mince on house-made brioche followed by refreshing pickled zucchini and spiced mascarpone – a feast for every one of our senses.
Next was the highlight of the night: burnt orange gin cured Snowy Mountain trout with delicious quinoa crackers, caviar and lemon myrtle aioli.
The mains celebrated local produce, with sumptuous Gundagai lamb rump paired with a Tumblong Hills ‘J Block’ Shiraz. The second was slow roasted beef cheeks with burnt leeks and the creamiest potato puree we’ve ever eaten.
For dessert, a burnt Basque cheesecake was the final stroke of genius in Chef Francesco Mauro’s Selection menu, paired with a lighter-than-expected ‘dessert style’ Semillon from Thomas Wines in the Hunter Valley.
A fisherman and gatherer since he was a child, Francesco spent years honing his skills with renowned chefs in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Sydney, and Melbourne, before escaping big city life and moving to Tumut two years ago to head up Three Blue Ducks Nimbo. His expertise and passion for sustainable fine dining make for a phenomenal food experience.
Approaching our first wedding anniversary this month, we walked (or waddled) back to our cottage agreeing Nimbo would be the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, or even for a wedding in and of itself (on check out we found out they do elopements for small groups, or you can hire the full site and set up a marquee riverside).
Whether you’re passing through and want to grab a memorable meal with a magical view, or enjoy a weekend of relaxation, nature and a reset, may we suggest Nimbo?
The author was a guest of Three Blue Ducks Nimbo but their opinions remain their own.
