Situated in the Great Dividing Range south-west of Sydney, the Southern Highlands is a spectacular region of rolling hills dotted with historic villages and forest reserves. It’s home to several national parks where you can immerse yourself in the great outdoors, as well as being a foodie’s paradise due to its fine-dining restaurants and wineries.

Things to do

Picture-perfect Georgian villages, plunging waterfalls and sprawling estates - the Southern Highlands is the perfect destination to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

Visit Bowral’s Bradman Museum. Learn about the life and career of Australia’s most famous cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman, who grew up in the town of Bowral. The Bradman Museum exhibits personal artefacts and historical cricket memorabilia, located adjacent to the Bradman Oval.

Stroll through Berrima. Clustered with colonial sandstone buildings, Berrima is a beautifully preserved Georgian village west of Bowral. Follow the Berrima Heritage Walk to admire the Regency-style Berrima Courthouse and grab a drink at the 1834 Surveyor General Inn or visit the iconic Book Barn at the grand Bendooley Estate.

Explore Morton National Park. Established in 1938, Morton National Park encompasses a flat plateau dissected by steeply-sided gorges and the Shoalhaven River. Highlights include the 81-metre-high Fitzroy Falls, which can be viewed along a series of pathways and boardwalks, as well as the Belmore Falls that plunge into the Kangaroo Valley.

Tour the wineries. In recent years, the Southern Highlands has garnered a reputation for its cultivation of temperate climate wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. You can visit the oldest vineyard in the region at Joadja Estate, stop by the cellar door of Southern Highland Wines or dine on modern Australian cuisine at Centennial Vineyards.

Getting around

The Southern Highlands is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Sydney and just over an hour from Sydney Airport. Regular trains connect to Moss Vale, Bowral, Mittagong and Bundanoon while buses travel to the region’s towns and villages. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of exploring the Southern Highlands.