Photo: Photohome_UK / CC BY 2.0
Just a two-hour drive from Sydney, the Southern Highlands offer a cool-climate wine region that feels a world away from the city. Here, rolling green hills, historic villages, and cellar doors with mountain views create a relaxed, sophisticated escape. This is a place where you can taste award-winning pinot noir and chardonnay, chat with winemakers, and wander through gardens and galleries between tastings.
Highlights & What to See
- Bendooley Estate – A standout cellar door set in a stunning barn with a bookshop and lake views. Their pinot noir and sauvignon blanc are superb.
- Centennial Vineyards – One of the region's most acclaimed producers, with a sleek tasting room and a restaurant overlooking the vines. Try the sparkling and the reserve chardonnay.
- Artemis Wines – A boutique, family-run winery known for elegant pinot noir and a lovely garden setting. The tasting experience is intimate and personal.
- Southern Highlands Winery – The oldest vineyard in the region, with a charming cellar door in a restored cottage. Their rosé and pinot noir are local favourites.
- Bowral – The main hub, with antique shops, cafes, and the famous Dirty Janes market. Perfect for a lunch break between wineries.
Suggested Time to Spend
Plan for at least a full day to visit four to five cellar doors at a relaxed pace. Many visitors stay overnight in Bowral or Berrima to enjoy dinner and a second day exploring more wineries or the nearby Morton National Park. If you're self-driving, the loops are easy and scenic, with most wineries within a 30-minute drive of each other.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Berrima – A beautifully preserved Georgian village with historic pubs, galleries, and the Berrima Cheese Shop.
- Morton National Park – Offers dramatic lookouts and bushwalks, including the Fitzroy Falls and the Belmore Falls.
- Kangaroo Valley – A picturesque valley with a historic bridge, kayaking on the river, and the Kangaroo Valley Cheese Company.
- Mittagong – The northern gateway to the Highlands, with the charming Joadja Distillery and the Mount Gibraltar Reserve.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Bowral — Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Berrima — Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Morton National Park — Baltimike / CC BY 2.0
- Kangaroo Valley — user:Grahamec / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mittagong — Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 4.0