A taste of country life in the Southern Highlands
Robyn Kennedy loves to explore and photograph Sydney and surrounds. Her blog Life Out & About has become a passion, sharing ideas for outings in and around Sydney - charming gardens, bush walks, art galleries and inspiring places to eat!
Connecting the historic towns and villages of the Southern Highlands is a network of quiet country roads. Rolling hills, tree lined farms and boutique wineries make the Highlands an idyllic place to explore by car, bike… or on foot! Also, with an impressive selection of fine dining restaurants and quality accommodation it’s easy to appreciate why many Sydneysiders find the Highlands a perfect destination for a weekend or day trip getaway, only 90 minutes’ drive south west of Sydney.
What to see and do
There is plenty to love in the Highlands! If you enjoy walking a country lane, exploring historic villages, art galleries and antiques stores… or dining al fresco in the vineyards, the Southern Highlands is for you! Also, during the Autumn and Spring many of the private gardens are open to the public… even if you don’t visit the gardens, the nature in and around the villages is uplifting.
For suggestions on galleries, quirky antique shops, boutique stores and cafés, check out my blog Creatives of the Southern Highlands.
Southern Highlands – Country Life – Drives – Walks – Eats – Arts – Antiques. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy.
1. Bendooley Estate – Lunch in the Vineyards
Just a five minute drive from Berrima is the impressive 200-acre property, Bendooley Estate. This is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch in the countryside. On our last trip we had a balcony table where we could appreciate the beautiful estate grounds… and a glass or two of their very drinkable Pinot Gris. The interior also looked inviting, with a huge open fireplace and walls lined with hundreds of books, this is the iconic Berkelouw Book Barn and café.
2. Berrima Village
Berrima has all the quaintness you would expect to find in an historic village. Besides the historic buildings, there are a number of good cafés and restaurants, as well as some quirky gift and homeware shops.
For café food, try Josh’s Café or The Courtyard Café . Also, the Bendooley Estate mentioned above is only 5 minutes away.
3. The Pines Pastoral – Cottage Accommodations
About a 10 minutes’ drive from Moss Vale is one of our favourite farm stay accommodations, The Pines Pastoral… home to six very comfortable farm cottages with open country views. We’ve stayed in two of the cottages, ‘Possums’ and ‘Sugar Glider’ and loved them both.
4. Sutton Forest
Sutton Forest Village – Country Life Southern Highlands. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy.
The village of Sutton Forest is at the southern end of the Highlands, on the way to Bundanoon. One of the tiniest and most historic of all the Highlands’ towns and villages, definitely worth a visit. The old pub is great for a drink or two on the back veranda… lovely rural views.
Sutton Forest is home to the Red Cow Farm private garden, one of the most visited in the region. Also close by is the historic Peppers Manor House, accommodation that allows you to indulge in life at a grand country house.
When we visited a number of years ago we enjoyed staying at the little cottage at Montrose House and Berry Farm, just a 10 minute walk to the village. At various times throughout the year you can even pick your own berries! I have fond memories of our walk along the country road, to and from the local pub… especially the brilliant starry nights after a few glasses of wine.
Just up the road from Sutton Forest is Exeter with its English style estates, leafy laneways and trimmed hedges. The old General Store is a working post office, store and café with homemade food and gourmet goodies.
5. Fitzroy Falls
Fitzroy Falls – Southern Highlands. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy.
Magnificent Fitzroy Falls plunges over 80m to the valley below. The walk through the bush to the falls is beautiful.
6. Country Drive
Taking a ‘mystery drive’ along the back roads, discovering hidden valleys and tiny villages is very much a part of visiting the Highlands. On my last trip with a good friend, we finished our day of ‘indulgence’ with a drive through Kangaloon and Robertson, then down Jamberoo Mountain to the coast. With the late afternoon light bathing the countryside, the colours and vistas were brilliant! What a pity we didn’t have an appetite for more coffee and cake as I would have fancied a stop off at the Robertson Cheese Factory.
7. Visit the Open Gardens
I love Autumn and Spring in the Highlands when many private gardens open their gates to the public, and when the streets are filled with seasonal colours. Also, a number of gardens are located out of town so you get to enjoy a drive through the rural landscape… an inspiring way to spend a few hours!
8. Walks
It’s surprising that I’ve not done more walks in the area, especially when there are so many places to explore by foot!!! This is a list of walks that have been recommended… let me know if you have any other suggestions.
- Morton National Park – there are a number of worthwhile bushwalks, including Fitzroy Falls mentioned above. There is also the Bundanoon 14km cycling track… a trail that weaves through open forest of banksias and flowering shrubs, until you come to the edge of the escarpment formed by Bundanoon Creek.
- Bong Bong Track – a 10-kilometre walking/cycling path linking Bowral and Moss Vale… the track runs beside the Wingercarribee River.
- Box Vale Track – follows the formation of an historic railway line and passes through cuttings, along embankments and through a tunnel 84 metres is length.
- Berrima River Walk – as the name suggests, a walk by the river!
Have you ever been to the Southern Highlands?
Hero image credit: Robyn Kennedy