Where to eat, drink, stay and play on your weekend away in the Southern Highlands.
The colder weather makes Sydneysiders crave weekends away from the city, preferably inland with a toasty fireplace and a top-notch bottle of red. New South Wales has no shortage of wine countries that are perfect for cruisy weekends away and one of our favourites has to be the Southern Highlands. Just a short 1.5-hour drive southwest of Sydney CBD, the region holds charming accommodation, quaint cafes, finer dining restaurants and not to mention beautiful wineries where you can spend hours looking out onto fields of vines, with a picturesque backdrop of mountains. Home to towns including Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Berrima, and more, here are the absolute must-visit on a weekend away in this stunning region.
Eschalot, Berrima
With its heritage charm, quaint dining room, and friendly service, it’s easy to see why this restaurant is adored by Berrima locals. Head Chef Matty Roberts puts up fresh, seasonal dishes made with produce from the surrounding lands. The restaurant has won many awards and the cuisine can best be described as French/Australian. It’s hard not to feel right at home from the moment you step in the door and drinks are served by an open fire. Find out more here
Paste, Mittagong
This internationally recognized restaurant is known for its exception Thai cuisine. Chef Bee Santongun has a way of respecting tradition in every dish, while still presenting it in a modern way. Paste was listed again as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2020, which means it’s a must-visit when in the Southern Highlands. Find out more here
Birch Restaurant, Moss Vale
Birch Restaurant opened in the historic Moss Vale post office in late 2017. Evident from the outset though is the passion owners Glenn and Renée Wallace have for great food and hospitality, translating into a menu both refined and incredibly abundant. Head Chef Ben Bamford’s close ties with local producers and suppliers result in a constantly evolving menu. Do yourself a favour and put Birch on your radar. Find out more here
Bendooley Estate, Berrima
This grand estate is a spectacular destination to eat, drink and stay. Once you explore Bendooley’s very own book barn, step into the restaurant and feel comfortable with a cottage-style layout and a huge open fireplace in the middle of the room. Savour flavoursome cuisine inspired by the seasons of the Southern Highlands and sip the estates best drops. If you need somewhere to stay, their luxurious accommodation within a beautifully preserved 200-acre property will make it hard to leave Bendooley at all. Find out more here
Centennial Vineyard, Bowral
Offering breathtaking views across the vineyards, no wine tour of the Southern Highlands is complete without a visit to Centennial Vineyards. The cellar door is open daily giving you the opportunity to sip your way through their range, with a focus on cool climate grape growing and winemaking. The restaurant offers a relaxed alfresco dining experience, made all the more appealing by a big open fireplace. Find out more here
Gumnut Patisserie, Bowral
It’s not uncommon to see a lengthy line of people waiting outside this bustling patisserie. With three locations (all conveniently located in the Southern Highlands), take your pick from a selection of lovingly made cakes, tarts, slices, biscuits and more. You might have to wait for your cake, but once you eat it, you’ll know it was worth every second. Find out more here
Flour Water Salt Bakery, Bowral
If your looking for the best sausage rolls and pies in Southern Highlands, we’ve got you covered. Flour Water Salt uses organic, local ingredients to produce food that tastes home-cooked in, the best possible way. You won’t find any pain sausage rolls or pies on the menu, but you will find gourmet combinations like beef bourguignon, lamb and pinenut, or chicken and leak. We would recommend always grabbing a freshly baked artisan sourdough on your way out as well. Find out more here
Berida Hotel, Bowral
Originally built as a private home in 1925, the Berida Hotel comes oozing in history and charm. Here you’ll notice exceptional attention to detail, with everything from the eclectic wallpaper to the vintage chandeliers and European artwork all working in perfect harmony. Boasting 43 recently resorted rooms, the Berida Hotel is the place to book for when you feel like all the comforts of a hotel, minus the generic cookie-cutter hotel feels. Find out more here
Dirty Janes, Bowral
Vintage lovers, this one’s for you. From pre-loved records, 1970s Danish furniture, and antique trinkets, you can’t leave Bowral without something from Dirty Janes. You could spend hours in the maze time traveling and revealing long-lost memories of many collectors. Find out more here