We’d been hoping to catch the tail end of the apple picking season at Pine Crest Orchard but families more adept at waking up early had cleared them out of the last of their apples by the time we’d arrived leisurely around noon.

But not one to leave empty-handed, we pick up a tub of apple pie ice cream ($3.00) before heading off to The Grumpy Baker.

The ice cream tasted exactly as one would expect of an apple pie-flavoured ice cream with a sweet, fruity apple flavour that’s gently spiced with cinnamon. While it lacked the smoothness or creaminess of more artisanal gelaterias, it was enjoyable for the price and would’ve benefited from chunks of fresh apple mixed through.

Pine Crest Orchard is located at 2549 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin NSW 2758.