Fernbank Creek: Wine, Horse Riding and Water Access

Fernbank Creek offers several distinct reasons to visit: Cassegrain Wines is a destination for wine tasting, dining, events and outdoor spaces; horse rides across the Cassegrain grounds and surrounding bush trails are also available. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide what your trip will focus on. This lets you assess the destination based on specific activities and interests, rather than choosing accommodation solely on the basis of a general impression of the scenery.

Boat ramp, watercraft access and fishing

The Oakes Crescent Old Ferry Ramp is a boat ramp at the end of Oakes Crescent in Fernbank Creek. The Fernbank Creek Old Ferry Ramp is a different ramp: a 2025 council plan lists it as an example of a local area with watercraft access and fishing. The first reference identifies a specific ramp location; the second places the ramp in a local classification. Since classifications can change, check local conditions before launching.

Horse rides on the Cassegrain grounds

The Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre offers rides across the Cassegrain grounds and along the surrounding scenic bush trails. Booking is required to participate. The combination of winery grounds and bush trails gives the ride a different focus from a wine tasting alone. If horse riding is a deciding factor for your trip, take the booking requirement into account when planning.

Wine tasting and dining

Visitors can taste the full range of Cassegrain wines at the Cassegrain Wines Cellar Door. The restaurant is right next door and also offers Cassegrain wines. For planning purposes, these are two distinct stops: the Cellar Door offers tastings of the full range, while the neighbouring restaurant offers Cassegrain wines. If you are considering both, you can plan wine tasting and dining as separate interests rather than treating them as the same offering.

Events at the amphitheatre

The natural amphitheatre at Cassegrain Wines is regularly used for corporate events, entertainment events and private ceremonies. Its use therefore spans both business and private occasions. If a particular event is the reason for your trip, check its date before travelling.

Picnic area and roses

The picnic area at Cassegrain Wines has barbecue facilities and is set between rolling lawns and rose bushes. There are more than 2,000 rose bushes at the entrance. For travellers interested in scenery and outdoor spaces, these are two distinct details: the picnic area's specific setting and the roses at the entrance. This means that, in addition to wine tasting and dining, picnicking and roses can be considered as separate interests.

A special connection to wine-growing history

Cassegrain was the first winery in Australia to commercially grow and produce Chambourcin. This distinction relates specifically to the commercial growing and production of Chambourcin. For wine enthusiasts, it adds a historical perspective to wine tasting and dining and gives the winery another connection, distinct from its visitor offerings.

Wine and horse riding as shared interests

Cassegrain is a shared connection for wine and horse-riding enthusiasts: the rides cross the Cassegrain grounds, while the Cellar Door and restaurant are part of Cassegrain Wines. If you are interested in both, you can take this connection into account when deciding whether Fernbank Creek is the right destination for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Belbora, Bywong, Toukley, Wisemans Ferry, Lochinvar, Leconfield, Coledale, Shoalhaven Heads

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.