Warren is quietly situated along the Oxley Highway, making it an easily accessible destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Located 525 kilometers northwest of Sydney, it's a place where the Macquarie River's gentle flow and the tranquil ambiance of rural New South Wales await to welcome travelers.  

The best route to Warren is a six and a half hour drive via Katoomba (or Bilpin, if you opt for Bell's Line of Road), Mudgee and Dubbo. But the fastest way to get there is a one-hour flight to Dubbo, serviced by Qantas or Rex, followed by a rental car for the 108 kilometre journey northwest via Narromine. Alternatively, you can choose the train by catching the XPT from Sydney to Dubbo, which takes approximately six and a half hours, followed by a bus ride to Warren, which is a further two hours. 

If you leave Sydney at lunchtime, be sure to stop in Dubbo, home of the Taronga Western Plains Zoo on your way through.

The Warren Golf Club, or the ‘golfie’ as it’s affectionately known, will be a welcome sight after your drive from Sydney. There are actually no pubs left in Warren so the club is your best place for a meal at the Capricornia Bistro. It’s a predominantly Cantonese-style menu featuring mongolian beef and crunch spring rolls, with some ‘Aussie’ staples including grilled barramundi and a t-bone steak thrown in. Enjoy a cold beer as you watch the final holes of the day play out before retreating to your accommodation for the evening.

One thing you will notice about Warren when you step inside some of its shops is that they could be directly swapped out for a boutique found in Double Bay or Paddington. One of those shops is Ellerslie Lane. Run by a local farming family, who live about 60 kilometres outside the town, Ellerslie Lane not only has a fabulous collection of clothing, gifts and homewares - it also has great coffee and food and is the perfect place to start your day. 

Grab a sandwich and supplies form One One Seven bakery before heading out on an adventure to the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve. Flood waters help to create this 200,000 hectare wetland which is known to be home to hundreds of kangaroos and emus and an estimated 80,000 breeding pairs of colonial waterbirds. Tourists can experience the marshes with the 'Burrima' boardwalk, located on the western edge of the Northern Nature Reserve. 'Burrima,' a privately managed property dedicated to wetland and floodplain conservation, welcomes interested visitors to explore this unique ecosystem.

Here, a two kilometre boardwalk meanders through River Red Gum forests, mixed marsh, and dense reeds, offering an immersive Macquarie Marshes experience. From the observation tower's pinnacle, take in the sweeping views of the vast Northern Marsh reed beds, the largest in southern Australia. 'Burrima' is conveniently situated 128 km north of Warren on Carinda Road. Access is well-marked from the entrance. Plan for a leisurely 1 to 2-hour exploration of the boardwalk, ensuring you bring along some water for your adventure.

The recently restored Warren Museum and Art Gallery, is a great place to spend the afternoon when you return from the Marshes. This state-of-the-art facility finds its home within a meticulously restored 1899 building. The lower Macquarie River serves as the overarching theme that unites the diverse exhibits and collections within the museum and gallery. It’s open Saturday until 4pm.

From here you can make your way out to Nevertire for dinner at the local pub, a small rural village with around 200 residents. It’s just a short 15 minute drive southwest of Warren. Travel past the Auscott Cotton Gin on your way. It is possible to take a tour of a cotton gin, but you must call ahead to book on (02) 6847 4631. However, during picking time the gins are strictly out of bounds to the casual visitor.

Your Saturday is not complete until you’ve watched the sunset over the western plains at the Nevertire Hotel. Built in 1882, the thriving Nevertire Hotel stands at the crossroads of the Mitchell and Oxley Highways. Despite its remote location, the busy Mitchell Highway accommodates a constant flow of traffic, including trucks and tourists. The hotel has firmly established itself as an essential stopping point, conveniently situated across from a spacious rest area. Given its distinct quality and offerings, the hotel enjoys a somewhat exclusive audience, as it stands as the only venue of its kind in the nearby vicinity. This draws patrons from neighbouring towns and beyond. After dinner and sunset drinks, make the 15 minute journey back to Warren to your accommodation.

Jen grew up in Bathurst in central west NSW but now calls Gilgandra home. She lives on a mixed enterprise farm with her husband and two young children.