Recently, we embarked on an invigorating roadside forage in the picturesque Southern Highlands, accompanied by the exceptionally skilled filmmaker Rob Macdonald from The Butterfly Armoury. This collaboration added a dynamic visual layer to our adventure, capturing the essence of our foraging journey.

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We dedicated most of our day to foraging along the Illawarra Highway, where we discovered a plethora of roadside apples and plums. These fruit varieties, many of which have disappeared from commercial availability, offered us a unique taste of the region's agricultural heritage. As the daylight waned, we found ourselves in Burrawang, where we gathered Barberries and Blackberries, ripe and ready for culinary use.

In an effort to creatively utilize our harvest, we initiated several projects. The Barberries have been set to ferment into a robust vinegar, employing natural wild yeasts—a key step in crafting flavorful shrubs. Meanwhile, the apples harvested have been incorporated into batches of homemade Kombucha, providing a delightful twist with their fresh, crisp notes. The blackberries, bursting with flavor, were transformed into refreshing cocktail blends. These concoctions were notably enhanced by the subtle spicy notes of locally-foraged Lilly Pillies, creating uniquely flavored beverages that captured the essence of our foraging session.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rob from The Butterfly Armoury for his outstanding videography work, which not only documented but also stylishly showcased our foraging excursion. We eagerly anticipate more collaborative ventures in the future.