Hillbilly Cider Shed, Bilpin Cider Co welcome guests amid eased coronavirus restrictions

Hillbilly Cider Shed and Bilpin Cider Co - both located on Bells Line of Road - are two of our local tourism gems, so why not pop on up the hill and help support local businesses these school holidays?

Tessa McLaughlin, co-owner of Hillbilly Cider, said the brewery was encouraging bookings for two-hour timeslots on weekends, making it easier for everyone to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

"We highly recommend booking at weekends as we are of course maintaining a number count," Mrs McLaughlin told the Gazette.

"On a Saturday and Sunday we offer two-hour slots at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. All seating is outside to meet Covid requirements - and whilst we do have an outside fire - it's still advisable to dress for mountain weather!

"We're well set up with lots of open grass for kids to run around, people can enjoy their own space and dogs are very welcome too."

They offer tasting paddles allowing people to choose from a range of ciders, and they also offer beer, wine or coffee.

Hillbilly Cider Shed is at 2230 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin. Phone 4567 0965 for bookings.

Bilpin Cider owner, Sean Prendergast, said his brewery also offered a bunch of space for kids to run around on the grounds.

"Come up the hill and enjoy the countryside - it's a beautiful part of the world," he told the Gazette.

"We've got sheep and alpacas on the farm as well, as well as lambs - it doesn't have to be over complicated for people to enjoy the wide open space and the countryside on our 10 acres."

He said the business was maintaining social distancing as per government regulations, and punters could go up there and enjoy a cider as well as some nosh.

"Every day of the week we offer apple pies and cheese platters, and on weekends and public holidays we have a range of picnic hamper offerings, including a grazing plate picnic and a vegetarian picnic," Mr Prendergast said.

Mr Prendergast said it was important for the business to adapt during the COVID pandemic. While cider tastings had always been popular, now due to restrictions, Bilpin Cider was offering cider tasting paddles.

He said Bilpin Cider would be launching a new Bilpin apple raspberry alcoholic cider in the coming weeks.

Bilpin Cider Co is at 2369 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin. They encourage people to book for picnics by calling 4567 0704.