3862 - Stratford/dargo

The Age

Tuesday October 10, 2006

BOB HALDANE

Rustic Stratford in Gippsland straddles an Avon River and each year the village resonates with the sounds of a Shakespearean festival. Known to travellers as a highway whistlestop, it makes a pleasing spot for a repast. Dargo, about 100 kilometres distant, is bush-poet country, noted for its mountain cattlemen, walnuts and high-country hospitality.

10 of the best

1 Molly's Lolly Shop, 23 Tyers Street, Stratford. Brightly painted Molly's looks just like a lolly shop should, and it's jam-packed with sweets and treats from around the world. All-time favourite is a house-made lemon meringue fudge.

2 Stratford Bakehouse, 35 Tyers Street, Stratford. Everything is baked on the premises and no preservatives are used. Rye and flavoured breads are a speciality, and for something different try a Viel Korn loaf baked using a mix of flours and kibbled mung beans.

3 Shaw's Butchers, 37 Tyers Street, Stratford. Shaw's award-winning house-smoked smallgoods are a gourmand's delight. Using only local stock, smoked products include fish, chicken, ham, bacon, Strasbourg sausage, kabana and kransky.

4 Peppercorn Cafe, 39 Tyers Street, Stratford. Free visor cleaning for motorcyclists is the one unusual offering from this otherwise traditional country-town cafe. The menu and service are family-friendly and the big brekkies are worth a break in your journey.

5 Tranquil B & B, 4 Merrick Street, Stratford. Surrounded by native bush and an organic garden, this riverside historic home is a tranquil spot in which to sojourn. There's a cosy fire and the option of a gourmet breakfast served on a sun-drenched veranda.

6 Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door, 76 Tyers Street, Stratford. Specialising in Gippsland wines and produce, this cafe-deli is also a factory outlet for Maffra Cheese. The "winemaker's lunch" of cheese, bread, smoked meat and pate is a great way to sample the range.

7 East Coast Eels, 29 Princes Highway, Stratford. Gippsland's principal eel fisher nets long- and short-finned eels in the Gippsland Lakes and exports them live to Asia. Wood-smoked whole eels and eel fillets are available for purchase at the factory door.

8 Dargo Hotel, 108 Lind Avenue. Established in 1898, this classic high-country pub exudes a welcoming yesteryear feel and has food to match. Big steaks, a mixed grill and lamb's fry with bacon head a menu that offers lots of choice and good value.

9 Dargo Valley Winery, 1 Lower Dargo Road. Hermann and Pam Bila battle late-season frosts to produce a range of earthy wines at this remote mountain vineyard. Also available are light lunches, Devonshire teas and local produce.

10 Dargo River Inn, 13 Lower Dargo Road. Formerly the site of the town's timber mill, this modern tavern built from recycled local timber has picturesque views and comfortable accommodation. The basic pub menu and wine list are well-priced. -- BOB HALDANE

© 2006 The Age

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