The streets become lined with marquees and vendors sell everything from fresh cut flowers through to organic purple carrots. While the farmers’ market and the Town Hall market are well worth a visit in themselves, it’s when the markets are over for the day, or on every other weekend that you can experience the full taste of Talbot.

A walk along the sweeping Scandinavian Crescent lined with ‘Instagram-able’ heritage buildings will lead you to a meandering brick pathway, welcoming you into the London House Community Garden. Wander the rosemary-bordered paths and discover a beautiful and productive garden lovingly tended by a group of talented and dedicated volunteers. Apple, quince and olive trees stand above ornamental grapevines and a flowering lippia lawn buzzing with happy pollinating bees.

Adjacent is the Talbot Provedore and Eatery, its long north-facing verandah flanked with espalier fruit trees overlook the garden and makes a perfect spot for coffee, or to share a ‘Provedore Platter’ and glass of local wine, or two.

Proprietors, Christopher and Jayne, are passionate about supporting their local food and wine producers and providing visitors with ‘a taste of the region’. Together with French-born chef Stephan they do this exceptionally well as evidenced in the numerous Golden Plate Awards adorning the walls. The aged patina of the heritage building creates a warm and inviting space, which is equally matched by the welcoming wait staff. At the front of the establishment, you will find shelves laden with local food.  The wine store to the rear, is well provisioned with regional wines, beers and cider.  Sit and enjoy or take away. Be sure to make a booking for one of the Provedore’s Saturday night dinners.

Make your way to the end of the Provedore verandah and look up to see a bright orange door high up on the second floor, a beacon to explore the Corridor Gallery within the Fyffe Street Emporium (open on weekends). If you’re up for taking the stairs, the view over the rooftops is worth the climb, or you can enter the cluster of art and craft stores via Stuff n’ Nonsense on the ground floor. Inside you will find quirky crafts, Barefoot Annie’s stylish pre-loved clothing, elegant handmade pottery by Felix Ceramics, and eclectic upcycled treasures from Crest Hermitage. Have a chat to the lovely vendors who are each a wealth of local knowledge and can point you in the right direction to fill up your whole afternoon of sightseeing. A visit to Slightly Bent Books across the road, The Shed, Talbot Bazaar and the Railway Station Nursery, and exploring nearby Amherst Winery, Possum Gully Gallery and natural sights such as the Aboriginal Shelter Tree will be more than enough to build up your appetite for dinner at the Talbot Provedore and Eatery.

Following dinner, take a short walk down the road and open the ruby red door to your luxurious resting place for the night, Pretty Cottage Talbot. Twelve years ago, Gina Francis was on a road trip to nearby Dunolly, on a quest to trace her husband’s family history. A glimpse of heritage buildings from the main road sparked Gina’s curiosity, so she pulled in to explore the town. You could say it was love at first sight, Gina simply adored the quaint heritage village and would regularly visit for many years with her husband Peter before they settled on an acreage of their own. Gina had always dreamed of opening a BnB, so when a miner’s cottage came up for sale a year ago, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to share her love of Talbot with guests. Built in the 1880s, the cottage has all the charm of the gold mining era, and Gina has ensured her guests also have every comfort of the modern-day. Drawing upon her own travel experiences around the world, and a love of unique and eclectic design, Gina has stylishly furnished the cottage and added her personal touch with knick-knacks sourced from local antique and second-hand ware stores.

Step inside the cottage, slip on the fluffy bathrobe, run a spa bath and pour yourself a glass of wine or just relax, tuck in for the night and prepare for another full day ahead exploring Talbot.

Talbot Farmers’ Market  talbotfarmersmarket.org.au

Talbot Provedore and Eatery talbotprovedore.com.au

Visit Talbot instagram.com/visittalbot

Possum Gully Gallery possumgullyfinearts.com.au

Felix Ceramics felixceramics.com.au

Amherst Winery amherstwinery.com

Pretty Cottage Talbot prettycottagetalbot.com

Main photo: Slightly Bent Books. Photography: Ewen Bell