Contentious CharacterCredit: Destination NSW
Contentious Character is part of Trail 1: Wine, Water, Wonder on the Southern Tableland Trails
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Less than two hours southwest of Sydney, the Southern Tablelands is home to rolling farmland, historic towns, cool climate wineries and produce-driven restaurants. The pace of life is a little slower here, but that’s how the locals like it. It means there’s more time to share a yarn over the bar of an old stone pub, lose track of time in search of antique treasures, follow a hiking trail along dramatic limestone clifftops or feel the unhurried joy of a long lunch stretching out over the afternoon.
The five new Southern Tablelands Trails take in the best of the region, with something for everyone to enjoy. Foodies, adventure-seekers, family travellers and those in search of authentic country experiences, can follow the trails as a day trip, use them as inspiration to plan their own adventures, or just hit the road to discover somewhere new.
Trail 1: Wine, Water, Wonder
Centred around the mysterious Lake George, this trail will give you a taste of the good life. Join the locals for coffee at the community minded Some Café in the tiny village of Collector before cruising along the aptly named Vineyards Road. Stroll between the vines and meet the passionate winemakers at Lerida Estate, Lake George Winery, Contentious Character and Lark Hill Winery. Feeling suitably serene, head into the town of Bungendore to refuel at The Gathering Cafe or pick up locally made pieces at Leather and Trading before rolling into the sleepy town of Tarago, where you’ll find vintage treasures, tasty eats and Yarralaw Springs, where the cellar door is made entirely of straw bales.
Trail 2: Vibrant Villages & Passionate Producers
Connect with the locals , chat over a beer and savour delicious local produce on this trail through the regions charming villages. Kick off your road trip at The Albion Hotel, in the heart of the village of Grabben Gullen, with a menu focused on seafood caught fresh by the local Fishing Club. In Crookwell, you can meet a member of the Lindner family, who have been making socks for almost 300 years. The amiable hosts at the Laggan Pantry will serve you an exceptional six-course meal made with produce grown in their kitchen garden and greenhouse. And in the historic town of Taralga, taste a tipple at one of two pubs dating back to the 1870s.
Trail 3: Wild Hume: Nature & History
Take things up a notch and feel your heart race along the Wild Hume trail, the most adventurous of the five. You’ll start slow, exploring the historic towns of Tallong and Marulan where the pretty streets are lined with 19th century buildings and bustling cafes. Then it’s time to hit the accelerator with a few laps of the Pheasant Wood Circuit, a professional standard racing track, before discovering Bungonia National Park where you can tackle Grade 3 hikes, lose yourself below ground in winding caves or set up camp in the remote bush where you’ll feel the peace of total solitude. Finally, embark on a self-guided Heritage Walk of Goulburn, Australia’s first inland city, where grand colonial buildings hint at an opulent past just waiting to be uncovered.
Southern Tablelands - Tablelands Trails Sizzle Credit: Destination NSW
Southern Tablelands - Tablelands Trails Sizzle
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Southern Tablelands - Tablelands Trails Sizzle Credit: Destination NSW
Southern Tablelands - Tablelands Trails Sizzle
Bungonia National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Bungonia National Park is part of Trail 3: Wild Hume - Nature & History, in the Southern Tablelands Trails
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Bungonia National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Bungonia National Park is part of Trail 3: Wild Hume - Nature & History, in the Southern Tablelands Trails
Trail 4: Off the Beaten Track
Take the slow road from Queanbeyan to Braidwood on a trail that invites you to feel free to linger in unexpected places. Step back in time and take the back road to Captains Flat, a historic town where heritage walks, sensory gardens and pristine nature await. Depending on your schedule and fitness levels, there are a number of walks to choose from in Lowen Forest Park and Berlang State Conservation Area. Make sure you talk to the publican at the Erlington Pub in Majors Creek – she’s also the village’s mailman and Justice of the Peace. Then take some time to explore Braidwood’s abundant charms, like chic cafes, delicious delis and stylish art galleries. If you’re spending the night, check in to the luxe Mona Farm just outside town.
Trail 5: Recharge in the Great Outdoors
This region is known for its tapestry of colour and this trail lets you drink in the natural beauty of the changing seasons. It’s also a fun one for the whole family, with farm visits, trout fishing and water sports. Start big, at the Big Merino in Goulburn, then continue exploring the great outdoors at nearby Markdale, a working sheep and cattle farm, followed by a stroll to the stunning five-acre Edna Walling Garden. Visit the aquatic playground of Wyangala Dam for kayaking, wakeboarding or water-skiing; for a longer escape, pitch a tent lakeside. Then, it’s on to Crookwell, where you can choose to hand feed alpacas, catch a trout or toast the sunset at Kingsdale Wines.
For more information on the Tablelands Trails and to plan your visit now, go to www.visitnsw.com/things-to-do/southern-tablelands-trails. Share your Tablelands Trails experience on social media using @visitnsw #feelnew #feelNSW
The Erlington Hotel, Majors Creek Credit: Destination NSW
The Erlington Hotel is part of Trail 4: Off the Beaten Track in the Southern Tablelands Trails
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The Erlington Hotel, Majors Creek Credit: Destination NSW
The Erlington Hotel is part of Trail 4: Off the Beaten Track in the Southern Tablelands Trails
Crookwell Alpaca Farm Credit: Destination NSW
Crookwell Alpaca Farm is part of Trail 5: Recharge in the Great Outdoors, in the Southern Tablelands Trails
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Crookwell Alpaca Farm Credit: Destination NSW
Crookwell Alpaca Farm is part of Trail 5: Recharge in the Great Outdoors, in the Southern Tablelands Trails
Peppers Craigieburn, BowralCredit: Destination NSW
The heritage property at Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral.
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Promenade back in time as Netflix’s Regency-era romp returns for Season Three, escorted by the elegant Bridgerton in Bowral extravaganza from 16-23 April. And whether you’re visiting The Ton for these enchanting festivities or simply searching for a sophisticated sojourn, all year round Bowral offers decadent feasts, opulent stays, charming countryside and more – all just 90 minutes from Sydney. Read on, Gentle Reader, to learn why the Southern Highlands are the Diamond of the Season and beyond.
Make your grand entrance
Emerald hills garnished with vineyards, grand estates and a bewitching village atmosphere… Bowral’s highlights harken back to a most refined moment in history – and now they’re celebrating Bridgerton’s greatly anticipated return with a host of soirees. As befits such a momentous occasion, Empire Cinemas Bowral will host four exclusive screenings for The Ton before the new episodes hit Netflix (from May 16). Plus, you’re cordially invited to a Regency-themed Garden Party amid the stately grounds of the Milton Park Country House Hotel, where you’ll see and be seen in sprawling formal gardens, and enjoy a host of Bridgerton-themed entertainment. Nearby, Retford Park also entices with a picturesque 1887 homestead, self-guided art trail and a picnic-perfect historic garden for all seasons.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
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Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
Sip your way around The Ton
Raise a toast to Lady Whistledown’s long-awaited new chapter with Sohi’s mouth-watering tipples – their premium gin, vodka and vermouth are available to quaff all over town, including at Hearth by Moonacres, Bistro Sociale and The Royal Hotel. And, let your thirst for discovery lead you along the Southern Highlands Wine Trail, where you’ll sample the region’s cool-climate drops at more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors. Swill Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Albariño, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer at Centennial Vineyards; unwind between the vines at the grand Bendooley Estate; and clink glasses at Mount Ashby Estate, where red, white and culinary delights are served alongside French antiques and lashings of bucolic charm.
Shall we promenade?
Whether you’re courting a suitor or slipping out of the drawing room for fresh air, a gentle wander is one of life’s simple pleasures. Take a leisurely turn through historic Berrima; Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village unveils an intriguing selection of Regency-era relics, including the 1830s Courthouse, convict-built Surveyor General Inn and the National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion. Bask in the majesty of manicured gardens in Bowral, Mossvale, and Robertson, where lavish plantings reveal nature’s extravagance – especially during the Tulip Time festival each spring. Afterwards, assemble your favourite dukes and duchesses to while away the day with croquet, cycle between quaint villages, or saddle up your trusty steeds for a relaxing meander along the Canyonleigh Trails.
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
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Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
Discover the talk of The Ton
Bowral boasts a bounty of treasures old, new and noteworthy if you’re seeking a modiste-crafted frock for your society debut, exploring the arts, or collecting key pieces to makeover your manor. Start with a visit to Dirty Janes, a unique marketplace where 90 individual sellers peddling all manner of retro, vintage, antique and artisan-made finds. Indulge your guilty pleasure for scandalous storytelling at Books Ever After, a romance-genre specialist home to an impressive selection of special editions to tantalise your imagination. And, take your cue from Bridgerton’s elite and let your impeccable taste in art and furnishings do the talking. The Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Bowral Art Gallery and Milk Factory Gallery showcase the cultured art and soul of this inspired region, while Suzie Anderson Home has a wide range of premium style essentials to create your own Regency-influenced sanctuary.
Retreat to elegant chambers
From plush private residences to luxe suites catering for your every whim, the Southern Highlands offers a host of auspicious accommodations worthy of society’s highest echelon. Revel in the prestige of a grand estate to call your own on the grounds of The Rift Estate. This palatial 19th Century mansion presents a self-contained Coach House to accommodate 13 people, complete with cosy fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs and lush lawns perfect for croquet and bocce. For a gracious stay amid rustic vistas reminiscent of the English countryside, look no further than the five-star boutique hotel, Osborn House. Nearby, the chic comforts continue at the Georgian Moss Manor, where thoughtful creativity and interior design unite for an exclusive art-hotel experience. Around the town, the historic flair also rolls into the early 20th Century, with the Berida Hotel, Peppers Craigieburn and the Links House Hotel delivering memorable stays where modern amenity and heritage flourishes converge. Wherever you choose to rest your tiara-toting head, you can find your own Bridgerton in Bowral all year round.
Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
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Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands
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Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands