This is a personal favorite of mine – not only has it been kept in a perfect time warp (except for, thankfully, the toilets which have been upgraded in the last 10 years) but it’s a bit of a hidden gem.  Fabulous verandas surround the gorgeous old tea rooms (built in 1908) where you can sit and watch rowers travel up and down the river as well as marvel at the bush surrounds and birds.  There is also seating outside in the garden.  Inside at the counter, you can order teas, coffees, milkshakes, spiders, cakes, scones and many other old-fashioned favorites.  Breakfasts and lunches are prepared on the open-air BBQ – yum.

Travel downstairs to hire a boat or buy a bag of duck food.  We had lots of fun rowing with the kids, even if I did end up covered in river mud (thanks Charlie for pulling out that submerged tree branch while we were moving) and managing to drop my phone into the bottom of the boat where there was some water (you’ll notice there aren’t quite as many photos as usual!).  A truly glorious spot to spend a morning or an afternoon.

Visit the website: fairfieldboathouse.com

NB – just as a footnote I should add that a trip to the Boathouse is more about the experience of the outing as opposed to finding the best coffee in town…. if you know what I mean ;-p