Audrey Wilkinson, PokolbinCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a picnic at Audrey Wilkinson, Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley region.
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Celebrate food, wine and your favourite people in New South Wales wine country, where gourmet experiences can easily be paired with memorable stays with room for all your loved ones. Get inspired to share your next milestone moment in one of these dreamy locales within easy reach of Sydney.
Raise a glass in the Hunter Valley
Relish the ease of escaping to the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, for a special-occasion getaway just a two-hour drive north of Sydney. Check into a stylish room for two at the elegant Spicers Guesthouse in Pokolbin, or seize the opportunity to share the charming, self-contained four-bedroom cottage on the property with a small group. Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before a sensational day of winery-hopping, capped off with a sumptuous evening meal at onsite Italian restaurant éRemo.
Delight your travel companions with a memorable outing at nearby Usher Tinkler Wines, which offers indulgent wine tastings paired with gourmet meats and cheeses in a renovated church overlooking verdant vines. Then round out the festivities with a celebratory meal at Muse Restaurant at Hungerford Hill winery, a local icon renowned for its culinary creativity.
Muse Kitchen, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Friends dining at Muse Kitchen, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
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Muse Kitchen, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Friends dining at Muse Kitchen, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
Spicers Guesthouse, Spicers Retreats Credit: Spicers Retreats
Guests enjoy the fire pit at Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley
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Spicers Guesthouse, Spicers Retreats Credit: Spicers Retreats
Guests enjoy the fire pit at Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley
Cosy up in the Blue Mountains
Take your time getting to the wine country of the Central West by staying a night or two in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, just 90 minutes west of Sydney. Alongside rugged bushland and charming villages, the mountains are also home to a sprinkling of wineries of its own. Get the party started on an indulgent day out with Western Wine Tours, which will guide you to the neighbouring vineyards of Megalong Creek Estate and Dryridge Estate, a 30-minute drive from Blackheath in the lush Megalong Valley.
Continue the celebrations over a high tea and stirring panoramic views of the Megalong Valley at the historic Hydro Majestic hotel in Katoomba. Served in the opulent Wintergarden restaurant, this indulgent afternoon treat includes petite sandwiches and fluffy scones — add on a glass of sparkling wine for a special treat.
Wind down with your posse at the Old Leura Dairy in Leura, where you can choose from a characterful collection of six cottages sleeping between two and 11. Relax together in the property’s communal hot tub fashioned from a milk vat before gathering for a meal at Blaq in nearby Blackheath. Anchoring the chic Kyah Hotel, a fine choice for a festive getaway for two, Blaq’s menu showcases hyper-local produce in hearty dishes, often deliciously charred or grilled. With a wine list exclusively celebrating the diversity and terroir of NSW wines, take pleasure in sipping your way around the state without leaving your seat.
The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of the Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains.
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The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of the Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains.
The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink at the Boiler House Cafe within the Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath.
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The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink at the Boiler House Cafe within the Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath.
Embrace farm life in Mudgee
Treat your nearest and dearest to a taste of Country NSW luxury at Peppertree Hill in Mudgee, a 3.5-hour drive northwest of Sydney, or two hours from Blackheath. This luxe farmstay offers nine cottages and a converted woolshed sleeping two to six as well as a spacious homestead. Book the entire property or perhaps just the Stags Head Retreat homestead, which sleeps up to 15, where sweeping views are part of the package and wood fires inside and out offer cosy places to gather with your crew.
Come together for a sumptuous feast at Pipeclay Pumphouse at Robert Stein winery, where the six-course degustation menu celebrates the region’s abundant produce, with simple but considered cooking techniques allowing the freshness of the ingredients to shine.
Or delight in sampling one of Mudgee’s newest culinary offerings at The Barn at Blue Wren Farm, a venue transformed by new owners Sophie and Nick Storey into a relaxed dining experience where the menu is guided by sustainability and seasonally available produce.
Pipeclay Pumphouse, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Diners enjoying food and drink at Pipeclay Pumphouse, Mudgee.
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Pipeclay Pumphouse, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Diners enjoying food and drink at Pipeclay Pumphouse, Mudgee.
Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Table with scenic views available for dinner service at the Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee.
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Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Table with scenic views available for dinner service at the Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee.
Celebrate in style in Orange
Uncover an ideal base to relax and rekindle with friends or family in the cool-climate wine region of Orange, a 3.5-hour drive west of Sydney, at The White Place on Casey. It’s a beautifully appointed mid-century cottage with four bedrooms, full kitchen and living room, polished floorboards and a fireplace. Love the décor? Similarly to older sister-property, The White Place on Byng, which also has four bedrooms, the furnishings come from homewares, fashion and lifestyle boutique The White Place, and you can purchase everything you see.
Begin a memorable trip with a relaxed brunch at Scandi-chic Groundstone, a sociable space on Byng Street where fresh and seasonal flavours enliven your palette. Or reserve your appetite to savour the freshness of home-grown and locally sourced ingredients that elevate long, contemporary lunches at the elegant Sisters Rock Restaurant at Borrodell Estate. Be tempted to extend your winery experience by checking into one of the estate’s one-bedroom suites and a pair of three-bedroom cottages.
Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink at Sister's Rock Restaurant, Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas.
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Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink at Sister's Rock Restaurant, Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas.
Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing on the balcony of their Cider Suite at Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas.
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Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing on the balcony of their Cider Suite at Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas.
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