LIFE & CULTURE

48 Hours In The NSW Southern Highlands: Where To Sleep, Eat, Drink And Play

Your next weekender, sorted.

The NSW Southern Highlands is a go-to for many Sydney-siders when it comes to a cute weekender. Being around one-and-a-half hours out of the city, it’s easy to get to via highways and filled with plenty to do, from foodie experiences to wineries and bushwalks.

We visited the NSW Southern Highlands, staying in Mittagong and traversing the area through Berrima, Bowral, Fitzroy Falls and Bundanoon. Here are our tips for your next getaway, whether it’s a romantic weekender or a girls trip to vineyards.

STAY: Airbnbs

The best places to stay in the NSW Southern Highlands are at Airbnbs. The area is filled with gorgeous cottages, modern barn conversions and other quaint accommodation just begging for a cheeseboard and bottle of wine in front of a fireplace (or al fresco, if the weather is warm). 

We stayed at The Cottage At Leicester Park, a stunning timber cottage situated on a working horse stud, surrounded by green pastures and trees. Just minutes from Mittagong, it made the perfect base for exploring the area. Oh, and we could bring our puppy, because it’s pet friendly!

Mittagong Airbnb

EAT: Birch

With a produce driven, modern Australian menu, Birch is one of the best spots for dining in the Southern Highlands, and prides itself on creativity and impeccable hospitality. Try the Grower’s Dinner Menu, which changes frequently. Just be sure to book in advance – places are limited and the venue is often booked out weeks prior.

birch

DRINK: The Boston 107

An adorable cafe on Mittagong’s main strip, The Boston 107 does delicious, well-made coffee (using Campos beans) as well as nourishing meals. The real drawcard is the cute courtyard and beautiful old sandstone building, which is covered in ivy and a piece of local history.

boston 107

SEE: Fitzroy Falls

The towering cascades of Fitzroy Falls are surprisingly easy to visit, with a well-formed path that meanders around the cliff edges for stunning views from every angle. Extremely kid-friendly but also a nice stroll for adults, this is the perfect nature-filled time out.

Fitzroy Falls

VISIT: Artemis Wines

Easily one of the best wineries in NSW for enjoying a shared bottle with friends, Artemis Wines is set up for socialising, not just wine tasting. Purchase one of the local bottles and settle in on the lush grass for an afternoon. You can also order cheese boards and charcuterie (or wood-fired pizza, if you’re more peckish) and in the best news, the venue is dog friendly.

artemis wines

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