Berrima

Berrima is a perfectly preserved Georgian village in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, just 90 minutes from Sydney. Its shady streets are lined with sandstone buildings dating back to the 1830s, when it was a major coaching stop on the road to the southern goldfields. Today, Berrima offers a serene escape into Australia's colonial past, with antique shops, cosy pubs, and the lovely Wingecarribee River meandering through the village.

Highlights & What to See

• Berrima Courthouse – One of Australia's oldest courthouses (1838), now a museum with original fittings and fascinating displays on colonial law and order.
• Surveyor General Inn – Claimed to be the oldest continuously licensed inn on the Australian mainland (1834). Drop in for a pint by the fireplace or a meal in the beer garden.
• St Francis Xavier's Catholic Church – A striking Gothic Revival church built from local sandstone, with beautiful stained-glass windows and a peaceful cemetery.
• Berrima Historic Walk – Pick up a map from the visitor centre and follow the self-guided tour past 30 heritage-listed buildings, including the charming Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the old gaol.
• Berrima Antiques & Galleries – Browse for vintage treasures at shops like Berrima Antiques and the Berrima Gallery, which showcases local artists.
• Wingecarribee River Walk – A gentle riverside trail perfect for a picnic or birdwatching, with platypus sightings possible at dawn or dusk.

Suggested Time to Spend

Berrima can be explored in a half-day, but to truly soak up its atmosphere and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Surveyor General Inn, allocate a full day. If you're a history buff or antiques enthusiast, you could easily spend two days poking into every nook. The village is compact, so you can park once and walk everywhere.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Bowral – Just 10 minutes north, Bowral is the Southern Highlands' main town, known for its upscale boutiques, the Bradman Museum, and the spring Tulip Time festival.
• Mittagong – A charming town with antique markets, the Mount Gibraltar Reserve for panoramic views, and the historic Fitzroy Inn.
• Moss Vale – A relaxed rural centre with a great farmers' market, the lovely Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve, and access to the Morton National Park.
• Fitzroy Falls – A spectacular 81-metre waterfall in Morton National Park, with easy walking trails and picnic spots, about 20 minutes south of Berrima.
• Bundanoon – A quiet village famous for its glow-worm tunnels and the Brigadoon Scottish festival, set among the sandstone cliffs of Morton National Park.

Please check official sources for current details.