Day 126: Willows Campground to Whitton Malthouse









 


Having had our dose of serenity over the past few days, we decided to move up market a little for a couple of our final days on the road. The Whitton Malthouse came to my attention and with their newly opened caravan park seemed can obvious choice. Located just out of Darlington Point and the Whitton road, Southern Cotton, operators of a massive cotton gin next to this site decided to enter the agri tourism industry and have built this impressive complex.

It all started with 4 local farming families deciding to build a cotton gin locally, frustrated by having to transport local cotton 800 km for ginning. In May 2011, engaging with 60 local growers keen to support such a venture they went ahead and had the gin running within 12 months. It has been a huge success and that led to their next venture alongside the gin, the Whitton Malthouse. Partnering with Voyager Craft Malt, they developed small batch malting facility on site using locally grown barley adding value in the region and supporting Australian brewers, distillers and bakers.

It is now a major agri tourism business, with accommodation in the form of Lakeside Villas and a caravan park.




Lakeside Villas


Our van in their modern, roomy caravan park


Very modern park amenities

There is a large central building and a separate functions area near the lake. 


The main building

Inside is a large restaurant showcasing local produce on their menu. We intend eating there tonight.


There is a dedicated whisky bar where they run tastings of 5 craft whiskeys that utilise their malted barley



The Whiskey Bar

There is also a gift shop



The man made lake, stocked with Murray Cod features catch on release fishing, and aqua golf.


It is 35 C here today and the only thing missing is a swimming pool.

After we had set up camp we drove into Whitton, only about 5 km away, to get some lunch. We quickly discovered that there is not much happening in Whitton. The pub was closed, and only store we could find, the general store, fortunately did offer some food options. A local hamburger seemed the safest and it wasn't bad. I am not sure what the people of Whitton make of this massive tourist investment down the road.

Dinner was very good, even though the numbers in the restaurant were pretty small in the scale of it.


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