National Trust’s Dundullimal Homestead on the outskirts of Dubbo is believed to be the oldest sophisticated slab house in Australia. Built sometime in the 1840s as the homestead for a 6,500-hectare station, the furnished house still retains much of its ambience. The wallpaper in the sitting room has been reproduced from an 1850 patent and there are enough audio interpretations if there isn’t a National Trust volunteer guide at hand to fill in the gaps. Wander the grounds through the renovated stables, blacksmith’s forge, coach room, sunken cool room, and stores. A small 1870s timber church from a nearby township now resides where the original church once stood, and no doubt makes Dundillimal Homestead the perfect property for a wedding. Take tea at The Shed Cafe that’s housed in the refurbished machinery shed, and set up as a cafe/function room. The scones remind me of CWA scones – small (the right size) and creamy. The strawberry jam is average but the thickly whipped cream is exactly what I’d expect to be served with my CWA-style scones. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Admission to the property is $9.50.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A range of loose-leaf teas served in a teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: A superb historic property well worth the linger.

Location: Dundullimal Homestead, L/23 Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 Ph: 02 6884 9984
nationaltrust.org.au

Reviewed in April, 2017

As far as plant nurseries go, Magnolia Nursery is on the small side. I don’t see any burly men with wheelbarrows carting pot plants and saplings, actually there’s no one working the plants while I’m there. All action is in the cafe with groups of women happily chatting away. Scones are on the menu; so don’t despair if you can’t see them in the cake cabinet. The small scones are baked on the premises and taste a bit chewy today, rather than light and fluffy. That’s not to say they won’t be different tomorrow. The jam is average in quality but what I like about it is it’s jelly like rather thin and syrupy. The cream is the best of all; thickly whipped. There’s indoor seating for when it heats up during the summer, but the courtyard is a lovely sun catcher and would be ideal for the cooler months.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of loose-leaf teas served in a small pot.

Price: $$

Overall: It doesn’t look feminine but it feels like a popular meeting place for ladies.

Location: 73 Wheelers Ln., Dubbo NSW 2830 Ph: 02 6884 5997 facebook.com/MagnoliaCafeDubbo/

Reviewed in April, 2017

The Savannah Visitor Plaza is where visitors without a zoo entrance ticket can linger for as long as they like. The view over Savannah Lake is lovely, as it’s brimming with turtles, and Black Swans glide serenely amongst them. It’s prime real estate, with private islands commandeered by Black Hand Spider Monkeys, and a couple of Lemurs share another. Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the flip side of its sibling in Sydney. Set on the dry Central NSW Plains, there are no harbour views here. I don’t visit the zoo this time round, but I think it’s probably changed a bit since I pedalled the 6km circuit on a rusty old bike in 2001. In 2017, the bikes at the rental shop are all shiny and new, and look a lot more pleasant to ride. If cycling to each animal exhibit is too much like hard work, hire an electric cart, or drive your own car, or walk. Unlike their city slicker cousins, these animals have space – and that’s the beauty of this zoo – space to roam. At the entrance, alongside the ticket office and the Zoo Shop, is Bakhita’s Cafe that has seating that takes in the views towards Savannah Lake. While I queue at the cafeteria-style eatery, I read the blackboard sign that says “fresh scones”. The scones definitely taste like they have been baked on the premises, but probably early this morning. They’re not bad and have luckily been removed from the microwave just in time. The Diary Whip cream (97 per cent fresh cream from a can) is super light, and I’m not even going to mention the sachets of jam!

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A basic variety of Sir Thomas J Lipton teabags served in a paper takeaway cup.

Price: $$

Overall: A zoo cafe with a zoo view.

Location: Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 Ph: 02 6881 1437 taronga.org.au

Reviewed in April, 2017

Warners Bay shopping precinct is just across the road from the Lake Macquarie shared walking/bike path that hugs the lake from Croudace Bay to Speers Point and beyond.  It’s a fine way to experience the lake, which is the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia. Whether you are starting or ending here, or just passing by, Warners Bay is worth a linger. Lena’s Lakeside Cafe is conveniently located on the Esplanade and is a popular old school style cafe. There’s plenty of seating; inside, in the alleyway, or out on the footpath – although seats, like elsewhere on a Saturday morning, are tight. We try one of each of the plain and date scones. Both scones are tough and taste as though they were fresh a few days ago. The plain scone is more like a bread roll, and the date scone tastes of onions. The strawberry jam is sweet and syrupy, and the cream is super light. To be honest, the whole shebang tastes cheap and I don’t enjoy it, but if it’s a Devonshire Tea you are after then go for it.

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of tea bags served in a small pot. It says Dilmah tea on the menu, however I receive an Aurora tea bag.

Price: $$

Overall: Friendly staff and a prime position on the Esplanade.

Location: 444 The Esplanade, Warners Bay NSW 2282 Ph: 02 4965 7171 lenaslakesidecafe.com.au
Reviewed in April, 2017

I’m back visiting Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld, but this time the Warners Bay store. It feels more established and compact compared to the Ourimbah outlet, but the stock looks the same (or thereabouts). If you’re not here for the plants, then wander the gift shop for garden ornaments, homeware, wallets, costume jewellery, and gardening implements. The Gardenia Cafe shares the same building as the gift store, with tables spilling out into a small courtyard overlooking the nursery. If you prefer to stay indoors, the high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows gives the cafe an airy feel. The single serve scone is definitely made to order, and arrives crisp and out-of-the-oven fresh. The strawberry jam is better than average, and the cream is impressive; slightly sweet and thickly whipped. My tea arrives promptly and before my scone, unlike the sister cafe in Ourimbah.

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A small range of loose-leaf tea served in a plunger pot.

Price: $$

Overall: A basic and small range of loose-leaf tea served in a plunger pot.

Location: Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld, 381 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay NSW 2282
Ph: 02 4954 6999 leerowans.com.au
Reviewed in April, 2017

Poppy’s Garden & Homewares is exactly that; a garden centre that probably sells as much homeware as it does foliage. So by the time you reach Poppy’s Verandah Cafe after perusing furniture, cushions and candles, and the rest – you’ll be ready for a cuppa. Bright and airy, the cafe feels large, and although there’s lots of seating, the table configuration of twos and fours allows the space to still retain some intimacy. The scones are hard to beat; crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and so ridiculously fresh that they must be straight from the oven. It’s a shame about the sickly sweet raspberry jam, it’s okay, but these scones deserve better. The cream is way too light, that I can barely taste it. It’s a real shame when cafes can’t get the three components right. Why have perfect scones watered done with below average jam and cream? I’m yet to find out! A couple of petty gripes – the lip of my coffee cup is cracked/chipped, and the teeny tiny plate that doesn’t give me much room to dress my scones. Gluten free scones are available.

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A handful of choices, all loose-leaf, and served in a small pot.

Price: $$$

Overall: Top rated scones and shopping – not a bad combination.

Location: Poppy’s Home & Garden, 83 Oakdale Rd, Gateshead NSW 2290
Ph: 02 4947 8255 poppysgc.com.au
Reviewed in March, 2017

Only a few minutes walk separates Toronto’s cafes and the shores of Lake Macquarie. From the outdoor seating area of Doubletake Cafe, the lake and it’s well-manicured shoreline beckon, promising a chance to walk off sweet indulgences. By the time I arrive at the cafe (lunchtime), the scones have already sold out, even though they are on the menu. Luckily, the kind kitchen staff whips up a couple just to keep us customers happy, and we settle in to the lake view. The scones, fresh out of the oven, have a delicate creamy taste that pairs exceptionally well with the rich berry preserve and double thick cream. Overall, this combination is a winner – now for that walk!

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of loose-leaf teas and a few specialty teas served in a small pot.

Price: $$

Overall: Alfresco dining with friendly service.

Location: 4 The Boulevarde, Toronto NSW 2283 Ph: 02 4959 9888
facebook.com

Reviewed in April, 2017

As far as plant nurseries go, Wyee Nursery is up there with my favourites. Ignore the mostly kitsch giftware in the shop; the cosy nursery is big on personality. Not here are the sterile rows of greenery, but a collection of exotic (does a Venus Flytrap count?) and native plants, flowers of every hue, and healthy herbs. The open-plan cafe is virtually embedded within the nursery, which adds to the convivial atmosphere. I hear some talk of a bird aviary, but I leave that to a bunch of kids who trots off down to the bottom of the nursery. The date and plain scones are fresh, wholesome and more-ish. I choose the pain, but stop at one. Sensational: fluffy with a creamy texture. The Chantilly cream is sweet and slightly overpowers the vanilla beans, but it’s truly an added bonus. The only downfall is the strawberry jam – nothing more than average – but with scones and cream this good, I’m happy to overlook it.

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A small selection of Pickwick silk tea bags served in a small pot.

Price: $$

Overall: A quirky plant nursery serving sensational scones.

Location: 103 Wyee Rd, Wyee NSW 2259 Ph: 02 4357 1335 wyeenursery.com.au

Reviewed in March, 2017

Just a few minutes off the M1 (Sydney to Newcastle motorway), is Ourimbah. A sleepy Central Coast town that sees a few drive throughs from the motorway or locals doing business. Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld is easily accessible, and if you are looking to stock up on garden plants and bags of soil, and the odd piece of costume jewellery, then this place is as good as any. The large and slightly sterile Gardenia Cafe is embedded within the nursery, so like me, you’ll probably enter and leave via the gift shop. There is lots of seating indoors, with some tables outdoors lining two sides of the building. After I order at the counter and settle, my scone promptly arrives – but where is my tea? Hence the lack of silver tea plunger in the photo. There’s at least a 10-minute wait for my tea after my scone arrives. Due to the buzzing flies and my scone cooling down, I give up the wait and dig into the scone. The scone tastes as though it has been baked to order, but has a distinct ‘scone batter’ flavour – but I could be wrong. It’s good but not great. The average strawberry jam is coupled with super light cream that’s been whipped up (but not enough) in a cream canister, and both don’t do the scone any justice. However, with a scone and a cuppa under your belt, why not peruse the nursery and the gift shop before hitting the motorway?

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A handful of standard teas served in a plunger pot.

Price: $$

Overall: Large and slightly soulless, but handy for plant or giftware shopping.

Location: Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld, 72 Pacific Hwy, Ourimbah NSW 2258 
Ph: 02 4362 2822 leerowans.com.au
Reviewed in March, 2017