Southern Highlands

Rolling green hills, misty mornings, and a crispness in the air that feels a world away from Sydney – the Southern Highlands is a genteel escape into colonial charm and cool-climate beauty. This highland plateau, dotted with heritage villages, gardens, and vineyards, offers a serene counterpoint to the coast, where you can wander antique shops, taste award-winning cool-climate wines, and hike through national parks blanketed in temperate rainforest.

Highlights & What to See

• Bowral: The Highlands' hub, famous for its antique stores, bookshops, and the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame. In spring, the streets explode with tulips during the Tulip Time festival.
• Morton National Park: Home to the spectacular Fitzroy Falls, where water plunges 81 metres into a eucalypt and rainforest gorge. Walk the rim trail for sweeping views.
• Berrima: A perfectly preserved Georgian village with sandstone buildings, a historic courthouse, and the acclaimed Berkelouw Book Barn. Stop for lunch at the legendary Berrima Bakehouse.
• Cool-Climate Wineries: The Highlands are one of NSW's best wine regions for pinot noir, chardonnay, and sparkling. Visit cellar doors like Bendooley Estate or Tertini Wines for tastings with a view.
• Gardens: The region is a gardener's paradise – don't miss the manicured hedges of Retford Park or the rhododendron-filled Greenbrier Park in Bundanoon.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two to three days is ideal to soak up the Highlands at a leisurely pace. Spend a day exploring Bowral and Berrima, a second day on a winery tour and a bushwalk, and a third visiting gardens or the Kangaroo Valley. The region works perfectly as a weekend break from Sydney (just 90 minutes' drive) or as a stopover on a drive between Sydney and Canberra.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kangaroo Valley: A lush valley with the historic Hampden Bridge, canoeing on the river, and the Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum. Just 30 minutes south.
• Southern Highlands Wineries Trail: Extend your wine explorations to the neighbouring regions of Shoalhaven Coast or Canberra District.
• Morton National Park (Bundanoon): The sandstone cliffs and glow-worm tunnels at Bundanoon are a short drive and offer excellent walking trails.
• Canberra: The national capital is about 90 minutes further south, making an easy add-on for museums and galleries.

Please check official sources for current details.