Farmers Hut at Wilga StationCredit: Wilga Station
Woman relaxing by the window at Farmers Hut at Wilga Station
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The Orana region of the Central West, which encompasses Dubbo, Orange, Mudgee and Bathurst, an hour’s flight from Sydney, is the place where incredible holiday stories come to life. `Orana’ means `welcome’ in the language of the local Wiradjuri people, which is the way you’ll surely feel every moment of your stay here.
Imagine checking in to a designer suite on the crest of a rolling hill overlooking an Australian sheep station or setting out on an African themed Zoofari at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Consider the awe-inspiring indulgence of a luxury eco glamping experience with your own fire pit along with indoor and outdoor bathing. Here, find the unmissable experiences you must book for your Central West sojourn.
Wilga Station is calling you
Escape the everyday on your very own 260-acre sheep farm at Wilga Station. Owned by third generation farmers, the Keith family welcomes guests to explore the natural surrounds of the picturesque countryside. Discover the history and heritage of nearby Bathurst, or indulge in the wine country of Orange, located 40 minutes from the property.
Stay in the lavishly appointed The Farmers Hut, which has been designed to blend into the landscape, 100% off grid. The temperature is a comfortable 16-24 degrees all year round and the appointments include a wood fireplace, king size bed, kitchenette, designer bathroom and a sheltered BBQ area. It’s perfect for two.
Larger groups can hold the ultimate dinner party within The Shearers Hall, a stylish five-bedroom retreat, in the heart of the farm, overlooking the Fitzgeralds Valley. Your neighbours may include sheep grazing right outside your door.
Oh, the stories you can tell about staying in this dreamy location that looks more like a lush, Outback film set. Just remember to pack a Stetson and your cowboy boots.
Embarking on a wild safari
The Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo is the ultimate nature retreat - an immersive experience with open range exhibits in the heart of Central West NSW. You’ll be right in the thick of the action with an exciting overnight stay at the Zoofari Lodge. Choose from one of the 15 luxurious African style spreads including the Animal View Lodge, which includes a shaded furnished deck overlooking the giraffes, zebras, rhinos and antelopes. It’s a true Out Of Africa moment.
The Zoofari Lodge experience brings you close to exotic and endangered African wildlife with some exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. You’ll enjoy one night’s accommodation with dinner and breakfast, a two day Taronga Western Plains Zoo entry and bike hire, so you can see all the incredible creatures who call this place home.
Farmers Hut at Wilga Station Credit: Wilga Station
Farmers Hut at Wilga Station surrounded by resident sheep
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Farmers Hut at Wilga Station Credit: Wilga Station
Farmers Hut at Wilga Station surrounded by resident sheep
Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
Woman enjoying a Giraffe Encounter experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
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Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
Woman enjoying a Giraffe Encounter experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
Sierra Escape’s haute glamping
Unwind, unravel and recalibrate in this sublime glamping site, which is just a 20 minute drive from the wineries of Mudgee. This award-winning, eco-friendly, adults only glamping site is surrounded by verdant rolling hills with amazing views to add to its mystique.
Sierra Escape offers haute glamping in suites with huge windows, sliding glass doors, indoor and private outdoor freestanding bathtubs along with a sumptuous bathroom and a fire pit area, it’s just the spot for marshmallow toasting and storytelling.
Bathe in the sunset glow from your deck with a glass of Mudgee wine and a delicious cheese platter as you tune into the soundtrack of nature. Take a tour of the local wineries or you could book an in-suite wine tasting experience with an expert taking you through a flight of wines. There’s also healing massages on offer, yoga, walking tracks and excellent local restaurants to discover. Will you even recognise your newly blissed out self when it’s time to check out?
We’ll give you the moon and the stars
All the stars are in Dubbo, which is why one of the key places to visit in this Central West town is the award-winning Dubbo Observatory. This is where you’ll view the planets, stars and galaxies through an amazing 43cm (17 inch) telescope.
Book a premium experience over 75 minutes with a presentation by local astronomer, Peter Starr, who will explain some of the constellations to you. It’s an awesome, unforgettable evening, as the stars shine so much brighter here away from the city. Astro-photography is also available with your own Canon or Nikon SLR cameras. A visit to Dubbo Observatory really adds another dimension to your journey.
Fly fishing on the fly
The city of Orange in the Central Tablelands, some 254km west of Sydney, has an altitude of 862 metres. It’s renowned for its excellent local produce, the cool climate craftsmanship of its high-altitude wines and its fine dining choices. Now combine all these attributes during a fly fishing experience at Printhie Wines, which has its own lake.
It’s certainly way different from the usual Cellar Door visit. An instructor will take you through the art of fly fishing including how to rig your rod, cast it and reel in a fish (Printhie follows a catch and release program). Afterwards, celebrate your newfound expertise over a five-course degustation lunch in the Printhie restaurant, which showcases local produce and native botanical flavours. The superb cool climate wines are matched with each course. Such a heady experience, which challenges you and nourishes your soul, is yet another action-packed chapter in your Westside story.
Sierra Escape, Piambong Credit: Guy Williment
Woman enjoying the firepit while watching the sunrise from the Uralla Tent at Sierra Escape, Piambong.
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Sierra Escape, Piambong Credit: Guy Williment
Woman enjoying the firepit while watching the sunrise from the Uralla Tent at Sierra Escape, Piambong.
Printhie Wines, Orange Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying Swift Sparkling Wine and oysters with scenic views across Printhie Wines vineyard in Nashdale, near Orange.
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Printhie Wines, Orange Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying Swift Sparkling Wine and oysters with scenic views across Printhie Wines vineyard in Nashdale, near Orange.
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