Enjoy a day in the Southern Highlands

This delightful region about 90 minutes south of Sydney is known for its heritage villages and old-world charm. Good food is on offer throughout the Southern Highlands at country inns and fine dining restaurants in Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong. This beautiful region is perfect for relaxing and unwinding among rolling green hills, where a cool climate and rich soil have produced excellent wines and pretty gardens.

Morning

9 am: Tuck into a wholesome breakfast

Start the day with a healthy breakfast at Raw & Wild Market & Cafe in Bowral. It specialises in organic wholefoods (the buttermilk pancakes with poached pear are a winner), with a grocery store attached so you can pick up snacks for later on. 

10:30 am: Walk the Box Vale Track

Drive 10 minutes to Mittagong and walk the 4.4-kilometre (2.7-mile) stunning Box Vale Walking Track. The route follows a historic railway line, once used for mining, from Welby to the Nattai Gorge Lookout. Stop at one of the scenic spots along the way for a picnic lunch and some bird spotting. If you’re a keen bushwalker, make a day of it and walk all the way to Lake Alexandra via the Nattai River and Forty Foot Falls.

Early Afternoon

1 pm: Tempt your taste buds at Tractorless Vineyard

The urban-style Tractorless Vineyard embraces a combination of old-world knowledge with new world techniques, all guided by biodynamic principles. Settle in for a guided wine, beer, and cider tasting, or book on to one of the winery’s unique experiences. From barrel tasting with the winemaker to meeting the woolly workers who are integral to their sustainable philosophy — there’s plenty to keep you entertained at this quirky vineyard.

2:30 pm: Explore the charming town of Bowral

Stroll through the streets of Bowral to admire the gorgeous manor houses before checking out the town’s excellent antique shops. Start at Dirty Janes, an antique emporium of more than 60 shops, with everything from cane furniture to old signage and taxidermy. A few minutes away, Barbaras Storehouse has affordable outdoor furniture, assorted ceramics, baskets, kitchenware, and many other treasures for those with a keen eye.

Late afternoon to evening 

4 pm: Relax at PepperGreen Estate

Drive 15 minutes to PepperGreen Estate, an elegant cellar door located in an iconic building that once operated as an antiques store. Enjoy a relaxed tasting of their cool-climate wines, favourites including the pinot noir, shiraz and sparkling. For something extra special, try the PepperGreen Estate Wine & Canapés Experience led by a sommelier in the winery’s private cellar.

6:30 pm: Wine and dine at Birch Restaurant

Try Birch for dinner, one of the newer restaurants in the Southern Highlands, which serves contemporary Australian food influenced by local produce. The menu often changes week-to-week, offering seasonal cocktails and wines from the surrounding area.