Spreading the good news stories about agritourism in the Riverina

A showcase of Riverina gourmet food and fibre plus a collaboration with George the Farmer took out the Henty Machinery Field Days Exhibitor Award for Best Indoor Exhibit – Farm Gate Produce Area for emerging agritourism icon the Whitton Malthouse. 

Whitton Malthouse and Southern Cotton executive director Kate O’Callaghan had doubled the size of her site from last year with a vast array of produce from the Griffith, Leeton and Ariah Park and Wagga Wagga areas. 

Mrs O’Callaghan said the aim was to raise the brand recognition for the Whitton Malthouse located near the tiny village of Whitton in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

Founded in 2020, the tourism destination offers fine and casual dining featuring local cuisine, on-site accommodation, whiskey bar and production, an aquatic golf driving range over Lake Hulong, and an event, conference, and wedding venue with fields of cotton and crops as a backdrop. It backs onto the Southern Cotton gin which has regular tours for visitors. 

“We started off at Henty promoting the Whitton Malthouse and then decided to expand it to our whole agritourism experience with the cotton gin and regional tours where we talk about the cotton industry,” Mrs O’Callaghan said. 

“We also run children’s tours, so we partnered with George the Farmer’s range of books.

“Whitton Malthouse showcases regional produce both in its menu and retail stores. We also bought lots of small suppliers in the region to give them a presence at Henty. 

“We can partner with lots of different businesses so there is an awareness of how amazing our region is. We are excited to be doing that on behalf of the region – it’s a bigger mission than just being a restaurant or retailer, we are trying to be an agritourism destination.”

With Griffith’s Morella Grove being a key supplier to the Whitton Malthouse, there were artisanal chutney and oil products available for tasting at Henty. There was also the Lazidaze dressings made in Narrandera, PSD poppy seed dressing from Ariah Park, and toffee apples from Knights Deli, Wagga Wagga. 

“Tasting engages people and if you buy a bottle that is supporting a local producer out of a farm in our region. We’ll be back at Henty next year to continue the good stories,” Mrs O’Callaghan said.