Wildbrumby Lunch

27 October 2025 / Words: Simon and Cathy Trickett. Photos: Cathy and Simon Trickett, Donna Sharp, Rob Wilkins & Rod Nicholas

We were early, yet we were late? Arriving before the designated meet time, we were the sixth car to arrive. I’m sure a lot of the Canberra Chapter members exist in a different time zone! After a chat and briefing we were off under cloudy skies.

There’s not much to be said of the drive between Canberra and Cooma on the Monaro Highway except that it’s pretty boring but sometimes a necessary evil.

Arriving in Cooma in relatively close formation we parked up before heading in a couple of directions to seek out coffee, tea or some yummy treats.

Back in our trusty steeds, most people dropped the top for the next leg and it was a good choice; it was still cloudy but the forecast rain stayed away. Departing Cooma, we headed for Church Road which would put us on Maffra Road and then The Snowy River Way. These roads could not have been any more different to the Monaro Highway. They were designed for an MX-5. Sweeping bends, undulating hills, clear visibility, good condition and almost devoid of other road users. Pure driving pleasure.

We stopped briefly at Dalgety as we were hoping to see a platypus, alas not today, although the view across the Snowy River was still spectacular. Heading towards our lunch stop, we saw snow-capped mountains in the distance, before we skirted Jindabyne and parked at Wildbrumby, four minutes ahead of schedule!

If you are a fan of schnapps, Austrian inspired food or a fusion of both then Wildbrumby Distillery is the place to go. A wide selection of tipples, great food and all in a picturesque location. To top it all off, the service was exceptional.

By this time the rain had started as it had threatened all day. With the formalities over a number of members took off the direct way home (maybe they wanted more time to go to the Christmas shop at Bredbo?), while a group of eight cars went on some roads less travelled to make the drive to Cooma a bit more interesting. Given the wet conditions and my fear of ‘is it a puddle’ or a ‘pothole full of water’, a sedate pace was set on these interesting but uncommon roads. It added around 30 minutes to the drive, but was well worth the detour. We came across some interesting rock formations, not to mention a kangaroo playing chicken! Better still, the roads were in generally good condition and allowed a bit more time to enjoy our cars through the bends.

We stopped briefly in Cooma while waving on others who just continued through. It has been six years since the last lunch visit to Wildbrumby, but given the fun time that was had I don’t think it will be another six years before we do it all again.

With thanks to Rob Wilkins for the Relive, Wildbrumby. Rob has posted heaps more photos on our Facebook page.

Simon & Cathy

Notes from a participant: This was a most enjoyable run. The rain kept away (mostly) and was not too much bother (the cars are waterproof after all) and the company—as always—was warm and friendly. Simon and Cathy’s planning work was top notch, and the roads—especially the slice from Cooma to Jindabyne—were SO MUCH FUN! (Even the Monaro Highway to/from Cooma was kinda enjoyable.) The little excursion we made from Jindabyne to Cooma, scooting carefully along narrow ‘back country’ roads, was (as promised) scenic, and promises to be great on a warm dry day. I hope we make it back there soon.