Kiama Blowhole Point, KiamaCredit: Destination NSW
A road trip from Sydney to Kiama (pictured) and back through the Southern Highlands takes in country and coast in equal measure.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Uniting beach and forests, wineries and breweries, a road trip from Sydney along the South Coast of New South Wales and back through the Southern Highlands offers a snapshot of much that is great in the state. Bring your appetite — for great food and adventure — and prepare for days of exploration from Kiama to Jervis Bay then up to Berrima and Bowral.
Sydney to Kiama
The road trip from Sydney to Kiama takes you along 140km Grand Pacific Drive, a scenic stretch of coastline through rainforest, national parkland, charming seaside villages, remote beaches and a snaking bridge taking you over the Pacific Ocean.
Driving through Royal National Park, the oldest of national park in the country, you’ll soon reach Bald Hill, a world-renowned jump-off point for hang-gliders and paragliders. Motor across the Sea Cliff Bridge, which twists for 655m over the ocean and around the escarpment, through Wollongong and on to Kiama.
This coastal cove is known for its blowhole and clifftop Coast Walk, but it’s also a standout destination for food and wine. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to The Hungry Monkey for bulging burgers and shakes best enjoyed in the alfresco dining area.
Gerringong and Jervis Bay
It’s a short drive 10km south from Kiama to Gerringong, perched on a dramatic headland and with access to a swathe of beaches for both swimming and surfing. Reason enough to visit is the father-and-son-operated Stoic Brewing, which makes everything from creamy oat IPA to cloudy apple cider on site.
Buckle up for the 70km drive south to Jervis Bay, a part of the state where whiter-than-white sand beaches cradle a protected marine reserve where you’ll likely spot resident dolphins and whales (between May and November). Jump aboard an expedition to spot them with Jervis Bay Wild, Discover Jervis Bay or Dolphin Watch Cruises, all departing from the town of Huskisson.
Worked up a thirst? Meet some of Jervis Bay’s new-wave beer makers at Jervis Bay Brewing Co., where you can sip everything from a fruity raspberry wheat beer to an intense dark lager paired with bites from a rotating roster of food trucks. Stay overnight in a coastal-inspired cottage at Bangalay Luxury Villas, which has a restaurant worth travelling the state for. The menu at the in-house Bangalay Dining spotlights native and local produce, including Sydney rock oysters, kangaroo, finger lime and wattleseed.
Jervis Bay to Mollymook
More molluscs await at Jim Wild’s Oysters, a family-owned establishment where you can order Pacific and rock oysters to be delivered, freshly shucked, to your alfresco table overlooking the Crookhaven River.
Venture south for 75km to Cupitt’s Estate winery on the outskirts of Milton, a town lined with ornate 19th-century buildings that are home to galleries and gift shops, for lunch. The property not only makes delicious chardonnay and merlot, among other varietals, but also has a brewery and fromagerie beside the restaurant — which features a menu of farm-fresh dishes.
When it’s time to rest your head, check in to Bannisters by the Sea, a 10-minute drive southeast in Mollymook. Design-driven rooms here have a nautical theme, which carries through to the signature restaurant overseen by celebrity chef Rick Stein — expect seafood done to perfection
Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastal drive along the snaking Sea Cliff Bridge, part of the Grand Pacific Drive.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastal drive along the snaking Sea Cliff Bridge, part of the Grand Pacific Drive.
Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Local seafood stars at the Rick Stein restaurant within Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook Beach.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Local seafood stars at the Rick Stein restaurant within Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook Beach.
Around Berrima
Set off for the Southern Highlands, 130km to the northwest, with its cool-climate wines, grand seasonal gardens and charming colonial towns. En route, pause at Fitzroy Falls, where water tumbles 80 metres from the escarpment into a lush valley below.
Then prepare to taste the region at PepperGreen Estate in the Georgian village of Berrima. Housed in a former antiques store, the cellar door and restaurant today offer wine and olive oil tastings as well as tantalising meals.
Meanwhile, seasonal beers are the order of the day at Southern Highlands Brewing Co., a 20-minute drive southeast in Moss Vale. Order a red ale or porter in the Taphouse restaurant, and sip with pastas and pizzas on the side.
On your way back to Berrima, Tractorless Vineyard offers immersive tours that not only offer a taste of biodynamic wines, but also let you discover the farming principles behind this style of grape growing — you can also meet the resident sheep.
As evening falls, enjoy modern Australian cuisine at Berrima’s Eschalot, where chef-owner Matthew Roberts showcases the region’s produce in dishes like dry-aged sweet potato with cashew cream, wild-rice dukkah and pickled carrots from Brillig farm. Then bed down for in a heritage room above the stables at The Loch estate, a working farm where style and sustainability go hand in hand. If you’re there for a Sunday, book in for the weekly feast enjoyed amid lush gardens. Or check in to Berrima Vault House (opening May 2021), a boutique hotel, members’ club and lifestyle store in a historic building hand-made by convicts in 1844.
Southern Highlands and Kangaroo Valley
Adventure awaits with a day of wine tasting, paddling and sampling local produce on the Canoes, Cool Climate Wines & Canapés tour with Wild Food Adventures. It’s around 50km southeast to the Kangaroo Valley, where you’ll work up an appetite canoeing across a lake before being served cool-climate wines and canapés. The next part of the tour is lunch at one of two innovative restaurants: Birch in Moss Vale or Mount Ashby Estate, which takes local produce and gives it a French twist. In the afternoon, the tour moves to Cherry Tree Hill Winery — try the fumé blanc, fermented in French oak for 13 months.
Bowral and Mittagong
It’s just a 10-minute drive east from Berrima to Bowral, a gorgeous historic town with handsome manor houses all wrapped in leafy gardens and parks. Bowral is also known for its excellent antiques and homewares shopping — Dirty Janes is an emporium selling everything from cane furniture to old signage and taxidermy, while Barbaras Storehouse has affordable outdoor furniture, assorted ceramics, baskets, kitchenware and many other treasures for those with a keen eye.
For a leisurely lunch, Harry’s on Green Lane serves rustic share plates in a plantation-chic room lined with bookshelves brimming with plants, travel bric-a-brac and well-worn novels. Then as you journey back to Sydney, pop in to Eden Brewery in Mittagong (a 10-minute drive north) for bold craft beers and a community vibe — the team donates 10 per cent of profits to Oxfam to provide clean drinking water to those in need.
Eschalot, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Elegant dish made from the freshest and highest quality ingredients at Eschalot restaurant, Berrima.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Eschalot, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Elegant dish made from the freshest and highest quality ingredients at Eschalot restaurant, Berrima.
Mount Ashby Estate, Moss Vale Credit: Kramer Photography; www.kramer.photography
Resident ducks on the grounds of Mount Ashby Estate, Moss Vale.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Mount Ashby Estate, Moss Vale Credit: Kramer Photography; www.kramer.photography
Resident ducks on the grounds of Mount Ashby Estate, Moss Vale.
More Inspirational Stories
Horse Riding, Jindabyne, Snowy MountainsCredit: Destination NSW
Horse riding in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains. For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Set course for adventure in Jindabyne, a quaint lakeside town in the foothills of New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains, and a great base camp for an energising, nature-based holiday. Delight in a range of exciting seasonal experiences, from action-packed days on the snow to summertime hikes that will leave you feeling fresh.
Pick your own adventure
There's an array of activities on your doorstep in Jindabyne – a five-hour drive southwest of Sydney. In warm weather, get your blood pumping on a mountain bike ride, or try your hand at rock climbing with K7 Adventures. Travelling when the mercury drops? Relish in the wintry scenery on one of K7’s snow-shoe expeditions. Alternatively, get a natural high on a guided horse trek at Snowy Wilderness Resort, set on more than 6,500 acres of awe-inspiring alpine high country just south of Jindabyne.
There’s also a whole lot of adventure to uncover in Kosciuszko National Park during summer. Revel in the sense of achievement hiking the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest point at 2,228m elevation – it’s an 18.6km return trail from Charlotte Pass, so plan on spending a full day (six to eight hours) out in nature. If you’d prefer a shorter walk, the serene Rainbow Lake walk is a 2.4km-return trail that boasts stunning wildflowers during springtime.
Post-activity, take a deep breath and calm your mind during a hatha yoga session at Jai Yoga. Then further reward your day’s efforts with a celebratory schnapps made at Wildbrumby, which has a distillery door and restaurant overlooking a sculpture garden. Prefer a beer? Jindabyne Brewing bar and tasting room has views across Lake Jindabyne – find a scenic perch and enjoy the ultimate taste of the region as you sip. Another option for a refreshing swig of beer is Kosciuszko Brewery. Located at Jindabyne’s Banjo Patterson Inn, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after an exhilarating day of adventure activities.
Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Hiking in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
#feelnew #feelnsw
Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Hiking in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery, Crackenback Credit: Destination NSW
The Wildbrumby Distillery & Cafe is a unique, boutique schnapps distillery located on the Alpine Way in the picturesque Thredbo Valley,
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery, Crackenback Credit: Destination NSW
The Wildbrumby Distillery & Cafe is a unique, boutique schnapps distillery located on the Alpine Way in the picturesque Thredbo Valley,
Try out the local dining scene
Follow your nose to the delectable range of oven-fresh breakfast pastries on offer at Nimmitabel Bakery. The aroma of freshly brewed Axis Roasters coffee is just as difficult to resist at Birchwood, where you can also fill up before a big day in the great outdoors on cheese toasties, muesli bowls, moreish breakfast salads and more.
Self-catering? Head to The Market. At this part café, part market, you can choose between sinking your teeth into wholesome dishes or grabbing organic fruit and veggies and specialty grocery items to take away.
Cosy up at the end of the day at Bacco Italian Restaurant, which has been preparing pizzas and pastas for more than 25 years; kids are well catered for with a dedicated menu of tasty bites. Or take your palate on its own adventure at much-loved Cafe Darya, which dishes up welcoming Persian favourites including dips, pastries and stews. Pair zingy tacos with lip-smacking margaritas at Cucina Grill & Cantina, and treat your travelling companion to an intimate Japanese dinner at Takayama; kick off a memorable meal with a serving of succulent pork gyoza with ponzu dipping sauce.
Stay in quintessential Snowies lodging
Lean into farm life at Avonside Alpine Estate, a dreamy off-grid farm stay with a vegetable garden, chickens, sheep and highland cattle. The two- and three-bedroom cottages unite Scandi style with sustainable design, and boast calming country vistas, too.
Be soothed by the snow gums surrounding Ecocrackenback, just outside of Jindabyne, as you warm up by the fire in one of its 18 self-contained cabins. Or soak up the similarly scenic setting at Moonbah Hut, which offers two charming timber cottages near Jindabyne that sleep four or five guests. With one hut set on a lake and the other by a river, you can begin or end a summer's day with an invigorating dip, while the stone fireplaces, underfloor heating and exposed beams make the cottages feel particularly snug during the winter months.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service manages a number of lodges throughout Kosciuszko National Park, including Creel Lodge. Here you can bask in serene Lake Jindabyne views from the breakfast table. As the moon rises over the lake, indulge in the nostalgic pastime of roasting marshmallows over the outdoor fireplace for dessert.
Lake Crackenback, Thredbo Credit: Destination NSW
Kangaroos at Lake Crackenback, Thredbo.
#feelnew #feelnsw
Lake Crackenback, Thredbo Credit: Destination NSW
Kangaroos at Lake Crackenback, Thredbo.
Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains.
#feelnew #feelnsw
Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains.