Central Tilba Village
Central Tilba Village
4.4
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
WE MIGHT BE A LITTLE OLD FASHIONED Step into a postcard at Tilba District's National Trust villages - beautifully preserved and wonderfully rich in European and Indigenous history. Dotted with charming colonial timber cottages, Tilba District's two villages - Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba, provide a surprisingly exciting combination of boutique shops & galleries, a charming array of accommodation options, tasty regional fare and magnificent views - all packaged in a romantic heritage setting.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.4
234 reviews
Excellent
136
Very good
70
Average
17
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Jon U
8 contributions
Mar 2021
We visited Central Tilba today. Driving north from Bermagui and across the Wallaga Lakes Bridge (which itself is a lovely scenic drive), we came to the Pacific Highway T intersection. Turned right onto the Pacific Highway and drove about 1km to the left turn onto Corkhill Drive, It is a well-sign posted sign to Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba. This is a lovely scenic drive.
About 2km up that road is the town of Tilba Tilba but there is almost nothing there as it is not the main town. Drive further up the mountain to Central Tilba it is a left turn off Corkhill Drive into Bates Street and the main town.
Central Tilba is an historic village and well worth a walk around. Enjoy a coffee and cake at the Bakery.
Between the pub and the bakery is a small road that leads up the hill to the lookout. This is quite steep but easily walkable to a water tower on top of the hill allowing spectacular views of the areas.
Leaving Central Tilba, there are two ways back to the Pacific Highway:
(1) Quick way: Come out of the main street (Bates Street) and turn left onto Corkhill Drive. Go up the hill. It is a sealed road all the way for about 2km to the Pacific Highway.
(2) Long Scenic Way : Well compacted dirt road but suitable for all vehicle types in dry weather. Doesn't need 4WD in wet weather but need caution for slippery conditions in the wet. This is a beautiful drive, very safe and well worth it.
Continue on Bates Street which becomes Punkalla Trilba Road. Turn Right onto Ridge Road. Ridge Road will head you back to the Pacific Highway. Follow Ridge Road to the end (T-intersection). Turn right onto the Old Pacific Highway (still dirt road). Follow for about 1km where it hits the Pacific Highway.
About 2km up that road is the town of Tilba Tilba but there is almost nothing there as it is not the main town. Drive further up the mountain to Central Tilba it is a left turn off Corkhill Drive into Bates Street and the main town.
Central Tilba is an historic village and well worth a walk around. Enjoy a coffee and cake at the Bakery.
Between the pub and the bakery is a small road that leads up the hill to the lookout. This is quite steep but easily walkable to a water tower on top of the hill allowing spectacular views of the areas.
Leaving Central Tilba, there are two ways back to the Pacific Highway:
(1) Quick way: Come out of the main street (Bates Street) and turn left onto Corkhill Drive. Go up the hill. It is a sealed road all the way for about 2km to the Pacific Highway.
(2) Long Scenic Way : Well compacted dirt road but suitable for all vehicle types in dry weather. Doesn't need 4WD in wet weather but need caution for slippery conditions in the wet. This is a beautiful drive, very safe and well worth it.
Continue on Bates Street which becomes Punkalla Trilba Road. Turn Right onto Ridge Road. Ridge Road will head you back to the Pacific Highway. Follow Ridge Road to the end (T-intersection). Turn right onto the Old Pacific Highway (still dirt road). Follow for about 1km where it hits the Pacific Highway.
Written March 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean B
Perth, Australia276 contributions
Oct 2020
First time we had ever been to Central Tilba Historic Village, and so glad we took the time to visit recently.
Tuesday morning, a little overcast and drizzly, but even by 10am the place the bustling. I have heard that parking can be a challenge here, but we were fortunate and able to park on the main street.
Wonderfully preserved historic buildings, many with information plaques telling their story. Nearly every building in the street sells items of interest, and I would suggest you take the time to visit every store. We found everyone we spoke to in the stores to be very friendly, and the items available were wide-ranging in 'theme': clothes, soaps, jewellery, woodwork, candles, lollies, homewares, etc.
Then there's the delicious cheeses from the cheese factory; Devonshire Teas at the tea shop (over 200 teas to choose from); and many options for a coffee.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and made purchases at about half a dozen stores (this was with restraint, as we could have brought so much more if we really let loose).
Tuesday morning, a little overcast and drizzly, but even by 10am the place the bustling. I have heard that parking can be a challenge here, but we were fortunate and able to park on the main street.
Wonderfully preserved historic buildings, many with information plaques telling their story. Nearly every building in the street sells items of interest, and I would suggest you take the time to visit every store. We found everyone we spoke to in the stores to be very friendly, and the items available were wide-ranging in 'theme': clothes, soaps, jewellery, woodwork, candles, lollies, homewares, etc.
Then there's the delicious cheeses from the cheese factory; Devonshire Teas at the tea shop (over 200 teas to choose from); and many options for a coffee.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and made purchases at about half a dozen stores (this was with restraint, as we could have brought so much more if we really let loose).
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz Man
Cleveland, Australia193 contributions
May 2021
Beautiful historic little village in the mountains. All the little shops and cottages are quaint with lots of character, and we found a few things to relieve us of some money. Very much enjoyed a Devonshire Tea with scones the size of sponge cakes (1 is definitely enough). A Thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a few lazy hours just pottering around the street.
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce M
Sydney, Australia809 contributions
May 2021
Just a few kilometres off the main highway, its a detour that shouldn/t be missed.
All the buildings in the village are historic and seem to be well maintained-not a modern feature to break the magic of this gem.
Tilba Tilba just a few kilometres further down the road is tiny and doesn't have anywhere near the charm
All the buildings in the village are historic and seem to be well maintained-not a modern feature to break the magic of this gem.
Tilba Tilba just a few kilometres further down the road is tiny and doesn't have anywhere near the charm
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon D
Central Tilba, Australia61 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Food, drinks, shopping and accommodation.
House of Alijon has recently opened, offering a quality selection of Australian women’s fashion labels, textiles, jewellery and accessories.
Sweetwater, on the corner is a favourite 1800’s saloon bar with a wonderful menu and incredible atmosphere.
House of Alijon has recently opened, offering a quality selection of Australian women’s fashion labels, textiles, jewellery and accessories.
Sweetwater, on the corner is a favourite 1800’s saloon bar with a wonderful menu and incredible atmosphere.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chicken Kebab
Australia2,746 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
How disappointing was Tilba. A lovely group of old historic stores and home’s turned into commercial tourist attractions selling mostly imported rubbish. Most labels were Made In China, Indonesia or Vietnam. The only place that contained mostly locally made items was the Australian Owned and Operated Tilba Real Dairy. Well done! It was great to see the dairy in operation next door to the retail outlet. We purchased a heap of locally made cheeses, and gave every other shop on the street a very wide berth. The post office was also worth a visit, having remained almost the same for decades.
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb L
Newcastle, Australia132 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We spent about two hours wandering through shops selling homewares, clothes, and food. The standouts are the dairy selling local cheeses (yum) and bakery selling freshly made bread, pies, sausage rolls and do on. Not too far if the Princes Highway (about 1k) and we’ll worth the detour.
Written May 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RohloffP
Brisbane, Australia36 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Town has extremely poor/ non-existent parking management. Do not bring a caravan into the town. There is no parking and you may cause a traffic jam as nearly nowhere to turn around. We were lucky our caravan is only 18ft. There should be warnings coming into town. As their is nowhere to park, us and other caravanners who managed to turn around didn't stop and the town lost valuable tourist dollars.
Definitely not RV friendly town.
Definitely not RV friendly town.
Written January 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony W
Sydney, Australia4,624 contributions
Oct 2020
You drive up the main street and go back in time. Its got the bakery, tea shop, lolly shop, petrol station and general shops. Classified by the National Trust it is worth getting off the highway to visit this quaint little village. Stop, walk around and enjoy the shops.
Written October 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trueblue71Wollongong
Wollongong95 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
I recently visited Central Tilba for my birthday. We stayed 3 nights at Historic Henkley Farm stay cabins. It was a wonderful and relaxing visit with my friend. Being a farm stay the atmosphere was picturesque with green rolling hills, chicken's, sheep, and lots of trees.
We popped over to the shops at Central Tilba village. It was lively to wander around the shops. There were a variety of different types of shops to browse, from giftware, niknaks, clothing and jewellery, candles, tea shops, toys, The Tilba Dairy shop, a hotel and general store and much more. There is plenty of off-street parking and also plenty of parking along the street, too. We had a lovely Devonshire tea at Euman-tea. We also picked up some meat pies for dinner from the Bakery. On the day that we were leaving, we called in to the shops again to have some lunch before we headed up the coast. We stopped in at The Tilba Tea shop and had a lovely lunch of homemade chicken, leek and bacon pies served with chips and salad.
There is so much to see and do at Central Tilba. Add it to your list of places to visit this year.
We popped over to the shops at Central Tilba village. It was lively to wander around the shops. There were a variety of different types of shops to browse, from giftware, niknaks, clothing and jewellery, candles, tea shops, toys, The Tilba Dairy shop, a hotel and general store and much more. There is plenty of off-street parking and also plenty of parking along the street, too. We had a lovely Devonshire tea at Euman-tea. We also picked up some meat pies for dinner from the Bakery. On the day that we were leaving, we called in to the shops again to have some lunch before we headed up the coast. We stopped in at The Tilba Tea shop and had a lovely lunch of homemade chicken, leek and bacon pies served with chips and salad.
There is so much to see and do at Central Tilba. Add it to your list of places to visit this year.
Written July 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The photo you have on Central Tilba is actually Pam’s Store ( La Galette now) in Tilba Tilba. These two are separate villages both historic. It would be better to change the photo to a Central Tilba picture of the Main Street. Tilba Tilba should be mentioned separately as they also have several unique places to visit.
Written June 21, 2018
Thanks for the note! I loved that area, while my relatives lives near by and they are always taking me to near by places. Only as I use to visit so many of them and sometimes, when returning back to Latvia, I use to forget the name of the place :(
Written June 22, 2018
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