Southern Highlands

Rolling green hills, cool-climate gardens, and a string of historic villages define the Southern Highlands, a bucolic escape from Sydney and Wollongong. Just an hour’s drive inland, this region is a pastoral playground of antique shops, cellar doors, and walking trails that feel a world away from the coast. The air is crisp, the pace is slow, and the local produce – from truffles to cool-climate wines – is exceptional.

Highlights & What to See

• Bowral – The Highlands’ hub is a handsome town of bookshops, galleries, and the famous Bradman Museum. Don’t miss the tulips at Corbett Gardens in spring.
• Morton National Park – Dramatic sandstone escarpments, waterfalls, and lookouts. The Fitzroy Falls walk is a must – the waterfall plunges 81 metres into a fern-filled gorge.
• Berrima – Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village. The historic courthouse, stone cottages, and the Berkelouw Book Barn are highlights.
• Wineries & Cellar Doors – The Highlands produce excellent cool-climate wines, especially pinot noir and chardonnay. Bendooley Estate and Tertini Wines offer tastings with a view.
• Southern Highlands Farmers Markets – Every Saturday in Bowral, these markets are a feast of local cheese, artisan bread, and seasonal fruit.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two to three days allows you to explore the main villages and a national park. With a car, you can base yourself in Bowral and day-trip to Berrima, Mittagong, and the waterfalls. If you’re pressed for time, a long day trip from Sydney or Wollongong is possible, but you’ll miss the region’s slower rhythm. A weekend is ideal – spend one day on wine and antiques, the other on bushwalks and gardens.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Sea Cliff Bridge – A dramatic ocean-side drive on the scenic Grand Pacific Drive, linking the Illawarra coast to the Highlands’ foothills.
• Nan Tien Temple – Australia’s largest Buddhist temple, in Wollongong, offers a serene contrast to the Highlands’ colonial charm.
• Kiama – Famous for the Kiama Blowhole, this coastal town is a short drive east and pairs well with a Highlands itinerary.
• Morton National Park (Bundanoon side) – The sandstone cliffs and glow-worm tunnels near Bundanoon are another spectacular part of this park.

Please check official sources for current details.