La Bonne Vie!: Stepping Back in Time at Central Tilba

Located approximately 18 minutes away from Narooma, Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba are two beautiful countryside villages. The latter, unfortunately, has been rather deserted but is still worth dropping by for a quiet village walk, especially to view or trek up Mount Dromedary, an ancient volcano in Gulaga National Park.

Shy horses at a farm in Tilba Tilba

Idyllic scenes of countryside at Tilba Tilba

It was the former, Central Tilba, that really captured our hearts that summer's day. It's a perfectly preserved heritage village which allows visitors to step back in time, to amble along the cobblestone lanes, delight in the interesting stores and to relax in the many eateries. Both Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba enjoyed a time of prosperity during the gold rush of the late 1800s. But when gold mining dwindled in the early 1900s, these two villages turned to the dairy industry and added tourism to its income later on. For any visitor to the southern coast of New South Wales, I would highly recommend a stop at Central Tilba.

Now serving heavenly smells, but this was once someone's house.

Hubby and I arrived there late morning. I was thrilled to bits, popping into the quaint village shops, especially Bath Patisserie. Anyone looking for sweet treats there would be sorely disappointed as what looked like slices of heavenly cakes were, in fact, delectable homemade soaps! The affable owner allowed us to take photos here and there. Needless to say, I did not leave Central Tilba without a delightful memento so I bought a Persian Lime and Lemongrass Body Scrub from Bath Patisserie.

"Cake slices" and "cupcakes", anyone?

With my Central Tilba loot

TripAdvisor reviews pointed us in the direction of Tilba Teapot Cafe and true enough, it was enjoying a booming business. We managed to get a table (fashioned from an antique sewing machine) outside the cafe, where we could share our Devonshire cream tea and enjoy the lovely view of the village at the same time.

Step in for some heavenly treats

Derrick and I shared this Devonshire cream tea and cappuccino

After devouring all the calories, we continued our walk in the village. At the top of the village street was a general store cum post office. It really felt like time had stood still. The bearded guy who runs the place was so amiable and we had a great time chatting with him. He recommended that we venture up the lookout on the hill, which we did, and were rewarded with great views of the valleys down below. And there was a very friendly horse, who refused to let Derrick leave her!