In the Southern Highlands, spring announces itself like the vibrant pages of a pop-up picture book. Thousands of bright tulips burst into bloom, cherry blossoms create a pink and white canopies, and seemingly endless towering hedges of verdant green creating winding corridors joining up the towns and villages.
Heritage-listed stone and wooden cottages line the streets, winding country lanes brim with stores and cafes, old character-filled pubs are packed with locals and tourists, and the scent of food being produced and enjoyed is always in the air.
Begin with an exploration of Bowral
Only 1.5 hours from Sydney, and with a growing population of 13,500 people, Bowral is the largest town in the Southern Highlands. Surrounded by rolling green countryside, Bowral is on the land of the Gundungurra and Tharawal people, and is known for its rich cricket legacy, grand heritage gardens, and popular vintage shopping.
Speaking of cricket, Bowral is the home of legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, who as a young man, sharpened his skills repeatedly hitting a rebounding golf ball against a curved brick and corrugated iron water tank stand with a single cricket stump.
Bradman went on to achieve a test batting average of 99.94 (twice the score of the next closest player) which is a a statistical dominance in sport that has never been equaled. Today the world-class Bradman Museum celebrates his extraordinary achievements, and those of others who shaped cricket into the sport it is today, with original match equipment, footage and memorabilia on display.
Learn the basics of cricket with an the interactive display, and give it go yourself. Next door, the historic Bradman Oval is popular with practicing cricketers, and is also the last stop on the self-guided Bradman Walk, which takes visitors to Bradman’s childhood home, school and more.
Bowral’s abundance of English-style landscaping give the town its distinctly European look and feel. Located in the town centre on Wingecarribee Street is the beautiful Corbett Gardens.
One of the region’s oldest and most beautiful parks, it’s also the location of the popular Tulip Time Festival each Spring (this year from September 11 to October 5) , which features more than 75,000 blooming tulips and 15,000 annuls, as well as markets, food trucks and hands-on workshops.
If you fancy a quick and delicious bite to eat, stop by much-loved The Press Shop Cafe – a light-filled, welcoming cafe behind a distinctive blue curved door. The seasonal menu is constantly changing to celebrate the best local ingredients from small batch producers. Think Belgian waffles with coconut parfait, mango compote and mango sorbet, crispy flathead tacos served with chilli mango salsa, guacamole and slaw, or a Reuben sandwich with shaved pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, pickles and a house-made dressing.
Explore the fresh outdoors in Bundanoon
Bundanoon is a charming village with Scottish roots, that’s home to around 3,000 residents, and more adventure activities than you can pack into a weekend.
Experienced hikers can test their mettle in the rugged mountain peaks of the Budawangs, with prominent summits including Mount Budawang (1,129 metres above sea level) on an 8-kilometre trail that will take 7-8 hours, or try the seven-kilometre, Grade 4 Pigeon House Mountain that rewards hikers with amazing panoramic views.
Or gear up for the gruelling trek up The Castle – a relentless vertical scramble that will push you to the edge and reward you with views you’ll never forget. Considered one of the most challenging and rewarding strenuous day hikes on the east coast of Australia, the 13.8-killometre hike is strictly reserved for experienced adventurers.
For those wanting to spend the night in nature, pitch a tent at Gambells Rest campground in Morton National Park. Whether you want the comfort of a drive-in campsite to unpack and unwind, or a remote walk-in wilderness camping experience, Gambells delivers an exciting overnight escape.
Nature- and science-lovers should visit the Glow Worm Glen at night, which is a free, two-kilometre return trail leading to a damp rock recess where thousands of fungus gnat larvae emit a brilliant, starry blue light. Bring a torch and sturdy shoes and you might also catch a stunning sunset before the glow worms become the main attraction.
If you visit on October 24 and 25, 2026, check out the Bundanoon Garden Ramble – a vibrant spring event where visitors can tour eight private cool-climate gardens on a free shuttle.
Experience beautiful Fitzroy Falls
A twenty-minute drive from Bundanoon will have you at the award-winning Fitzroy Falls Visitor Information in Morton National Park. The centre provides helpful information on local wildlife and Indigenous history, and you can browse the selection of Australian-made souvenirs to find a keepsake.
From there, a wheel-chair friendly signposted boardwalk takes visitors to the beautifully dramatic Fitzroy Falls, which plunges 81 metres into pristine Yarrunga Valley. It has to be one of the most stunning waterfalls in Australia.
The West Rim walk is a popular 3.5-kilometre return track that includes Jersey Lookout, Richardson Lookout and Twin Falls Lookout – all with epic views of the mountains and valleys.
If you’ve built up an appetite or need a caffeine hit, head to The Burrow Cafe for a premium Gabriel coffee, or tuck into a wonderful meal made from the finest local produce. The Burrow Cafe is owned by Graze Catering, which also hosts weddings on the adjoining, beautiful site where the church-high ceilings, bundles of dried flowers and towering forests make for a magical venue.
Become a history buff in Sutton Forest
Only five kilometres from the busy town of Moss Vale, is Sutton Forest – the oldest town in the Southern Highlands and one of the first settlements outside of Sydney, that was named by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1820. Home to a smattering of boutique cellar doors, antique stores and quaint cafes, it oozes colonial charm.
For nature-lovers and foodies, Red Cow Farm is a 2.5-hectare cool-climate garden with 20 distinct gardens including an Abbess’ Garden, Woodland, Beech Walk, Lake, Bog Garden, Orchard and Kitchen Garden. Linger longer in the walled Monastery Garden, which features artworks and statues of saints, (including the patron saint of gardens, St Fiacre) and a gorgeous display of roses. Enjoy a piece of fresh fruit from the established trees abundant with apples, pears and a huge range of stone fruits.
Sutton Forest is also home to three historic churches and lovely boutique cellar doors such as Cherry Tree Hill – a vineyard owned and run by the Lorentz family for over thirty years that produces a delicious sparkling rosé. Or over at the homely Sutton Forest Estate Wines, Italian-style wines are paired with fabulous antipasto platters.
Visitors have excellent local options for overnight stays. Fantoosh, hosted by Cathy, offers a cozy cottage experience for two, located right in the heart of the village. Alternatively, Peppers Manor House provides an old-money luxury feel with garden views, a tennis court, and close proximity to the classic Mount Broughton Golf and Country Club.
Discover Berrima – a Georgian colonial town with fine dining
Berrima is a heritage-listed village founded in 1831, that is widely celebrated as the mainland’s best-preserved example of an intact Georgian colonial town.
The village features striking sandstone buildings constructed by convict labour, with iconic historical structures including the grand Berrima Courthouse (1838) the imposing Berrima Gaol (1839), and the Surveyor General Inn – Australia’s oldest continuously licensed hotel.
Berrima is an exceptional stopover for food and wine lovers. For those with a sweet tooth, Gumnut Patisserie is an award-winning bakery offering some of the region’s best cupcakes, mini tartlets, incredible cakes and wickedly good flans. You can even order a high tea to take away and enjoy in a lovely location.
Sample award-winning syrah at the PepperGreen Estate Cellar Door and Tasting Room. While its grapes are grown at a vineyard in Canyonleigh (a 25-minute drive west) the tasting experience is hosted in the heart of the village in a former antique and collectibles store with a deck that guests can sit upon while enjoying a wine, a cheese and meat platter or a meal.
For fine dining, in the heart of Berrima in a gorgeous heritage-listed building you’ll find hatted Eschalot Restaurant, led by Chef Matty Roberts. Matty’s paddock-to-plate dining approach focusses on elegant, seasonal dishes crafted with ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s garden. Smoke, flame, and embers are then used to create unforgettable meals.
If you need to get those steps up, Berrima has beautiful walking trails that combine nature with historic sightseeing, such as the Berrima Heritage Walk and the Berrima River Walk. The Heritage Walk is an easy, self-guided village loop that passes preserved 1830s sandstone buildings and by local boutique shops. From there, you can easily access the flat riverside trail featuring informative historical plaques.
Sip, stroll, and slow down in Mittagong
Mittagong is the more laidback sibling of Berrima and Bowral, but there’s still plenty of amazing things to do, see and taste. Eden Brewery, is an independent craft brewery in Mittagong founded in 2017 by Jacob and Deb Newman. The eco-conscious venue operates on 100 per cent green renewable energy, donates 10 per cent of profits to Oxfam for clean water, and serves unique tree-themed beers alongside some great rotating food trucks whipping up awesome meals.
Wine lovers can enjoy a premium wine tasting at Artemis Wines – a family-run cellar door renowned for its exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir and range of high-end spirits such as gin, brandy and whiskies.
After your tasting at either of these local favourites, head to the historic Box Vale Walking Track for an unforgettable hike. This 4.4-kilometre return trail follows an abandoned 1880s coal railway line, leading you directly through an impressive 84-metre hand-hewn rock tunnel before finishing with sweeping bushland views at the Box Vale Lookout.
To complete your trip, stop by the historic Fitzroy Inn for a relaxing lunch or afternoon tea on the grounds. Built in 1836, this beautifully restored sandstone inn offers a fascinating glimpse into early colonial life alongside excellent local food.
If you loved our story on the Southern Highlands, you may enjoy our story: Recharge in Robertson | The tiny house experience.
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