The Southern Highlands of New South Wales offers a slice of serenity akin to the English countryside.
Think rolling green hills dotted with historic villages, and clean country air that will refresh and invigorate you. This idyllic region is conveniently located one-and-a-half hours’ drive from both Sydney and Canberra, and just an hour from the Illawarra Coast. Bowral is the heart and soul of the area, and makes a great base for wide ranging exploration. Other charming villages to include in your itinerary are Mittagong, Berrima, Moss Vale, Bundanoon, and Exeter.
There are so many great reasons to spend some time in the Southern Highlands. Love nature? You’re close to three national parks and two state forests. Is fine food and wine your thing? You have cellar doors and local providores to discover around every bend in the country road. Want to get cultural? Follow the gallery trail or bliss out at Berkelouws — the Southern Hemisphere’s largest book barn.
If you need more convincing, here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in the Southern Highlands.
1. Learn about the life of ‘the Don’
Bowral was the childhood home of cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman, and it’s well worth visiting the Bradman Museum. It’s open daily and offers a wonderful insight into not only the life of arguably Australia’s greatest sporing hero, but also the defining moments that have shaped the game itself. The interactive exhibits will keep most age groups entertained. Younger fans will love the cricket-themed playground next door.
2. Enjoy a local tipple or two
There are over 60 vineyards in the region, which produce a range of grape varieties including chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot noir. Drop by Bendooley Estate in Berrima and enjoy a glass of one of their fine drops in front of the welcoming fireplace. If you’re not a wine-lover, check out the boutique beers and ciders crafted at Eden Brewery or Southern Highlands Brewing.
3. Step back in time in Berrima
Established in 1831, Berrima is one of Australia’s best-preserved towns from days long gone by. Sellers of antiques and old wares line the Georgian-era streetscape, while an engaging audio visual presentation and evening ghost tour bring the dramatic past back to life at the old Berrima Courthouse (circa 1838). The heritage listed Post Office dates back to 1886 and replaced what was originally a tollhouse.
4. Admire gardens galore
The Southern Highlands’ cool climate gives rise to gardens bursting with floral colour. The region is famous for its annual Tulip Time festival in September and Open Gardens season in October, but just wandering along quiet village backstreets will reveal cottage gardens to rival Downtown Abbey. Think lilacs, daffodils, and peonies flowering in glorious profusion.
5. Down an award-winning meat pie…
You can’t beat a freshly baked meat pie, and pie-lovers will be overjoyed to hear that the Southern Highlands boasts more bakehouses per square kilometre than anywhere else in Australia! Treat your taste buds to a flaky feast at award-winning Gumnut Patisserie in Mittagong.
6. … and a great latte
The Southern Highlands could also be Australia’s caffeine-consuming capital based on cafes per capita. With around one hundred barista-operated coffee outlets across the region, you’re spoilt for choice for a good brew. Bowral, for example, boasts an astonishing 33 different spots to order a latte! Check out the cafe listings on Destination Southern Highlands’ website and sample some great bean juice during your stay.
7. Chase waterfalls
Need to burn some calories after that pastry-fuelled party in your mouth? Trek to one the area’s three highest waterfalls — Belmore, Carrington, or Fitzroy. Everyone who visits towering Fitzroy Falls walks the 200 metres to the viewing platform. From there, you can gaze down at the falls and try to spot the mountain parrots that inhabit this lush landscape. If you’re feeling extra energetic, the escarpment tracks on either side are well maintained and worth doing — and will reward you with complete solitude in a very short space of time. Take care, and carry water and something warm to put on.
8. Climb every mountain
Another option is to hit the trails around Mount Gibraltar (the highest peak in the region), or tackle the steep two-kilometre Erith Coal Mine Track in Morton National Park. It offers a welcome opportunity to cool off at the end beneath shaded cascades.
9. Shop for treasures of yesteryear
Shopping for antiques and period paraphernalia is big business in the Southern Highlands. The top spot for some retail rummaging is Dirty Janes in Bowral. This warehouse-size venue houses over 75 independent vendors of antique furniture, vintage clothing, kitsch homewares, and much more.
10. Go below in Wombeyan Caves
To get a completely different perspective of the lay of the Southern Highlands, plan a day trip out to spectacular Wombeyan Caves. Situated 50 minutes’ drive north-west of Bowral, this system of limestone and marble caves has been thrilling visitors of all ages for many decades. There are four main show caves to see — some of which can be explored on a self-guided basis, and some which can only be seen on a guided tour. You’ll need the best part of a day to do this wondrous natural attraction justice. Please note: Wombeyan Caves Road is currently closed due to storm damage. It is scheduled to reopen in late September 2026.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of top things to do in the Southern Highlands? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Cover image: Destination NSW. Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato
About the writer
Susan Hinchey is a freelance travel writer who, even as a teenager growing up in country New South Wales, knew she wanted to see the world. A couple of years out of high school Susan embarked on an eight-week European Contiki tour. Since then she has visited Alaska, Canada, Thailand, Vanuatu, Fiji, Greece, parts of North America, and Britain several times. Susan’s go-to getaway is a camping trip anywhere along the Australian coast. Her favourite travel moments have included sailing the Mediterranean and visiting Denali National Park in Alaska.
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
