A day trip to the Southern Highlands from Sydney: What to see, eat & do

Morning: Walks, waterfalls & local produce 

Get up early to make the most of your day trip to the Southern Highlands. Drive to the charming village of Bundanoon and stop at Potter’s Pantry for a coffee and pastry, before continuing on to Morton National Park and the Fairy Bower Falls.  

Park at Gambells Rest picnic area and take the one hour Fairy Bower Scenic Circuit which offers views of the waterfalls and Tooth's Lookout. It’s a medium grade 2.4km walk.

Fairy Bower Falls, Bundanoon region - Credit: John Yurasek/DCCEEW

After working up an appetite on the walk, it’s time to eat and recharge, so make your way to the historic town of Berrima. Pop into Joadja Estate, the oldest vineyard and winery in the Southern Highlands for a tasting before lunch.  

Dine at Eschalot, one of the region’s best restaurants, focusing on locally sourced produce, including herbs and vegetables grown in their own garden. Try the chef's 'feed me' menu, which changes daily and showcases the best of the Southern Highlands.  

Eschalot restaurant, Berrima

Afternoon: Books, antiques & shopping 

Full from lunch, head towards Bowral, making a pit stop at Bendooley Estate. This is one of the Southern Highlands most loved vineyards. The estate is home to a beautiful bookshop, housed in a barn that was once a hayshed. Here you will find thousands of new, second-hand, rare and antiquarian books, so allow a little time to browse. Before you leave, grab a coffee from the restaurant, pop into the cellar door for a tasting or into the larder to stock up on delicious products like barbecue rubs, salad dressings and jams to enjoy at home.  

Bendooley Estate, Berrima

Get back into the car (with your designated driver) and continue 10 minutes west into Bowral. Spend the afternoon exploring some of the lovely boutiques like The Modern Furniture Store, and make sure you pay a visit to Dirty Janes. This incredible antique store is home to 85 unique vintage sellers, with everything from furniture and homewares to jewellery and clothing on offer.  

Dirty Janes, Bowral

Have a wander in Corbett Gardens, a beautiful public park. If you’re visiting in September, you might be lucky enough to see the incredible display of colourful tulips during the annual Tulip Time Festival. There are over 75,000 massed tulips and 15,000 annuals on display each year.  

If you’re more into cricket than florals, then check out the Bradman Museum. This state-of-the-art interactive experience was named after Sir Donald Bradman and tells the origins of cricket as well as celebrating the stories and people of the cricket world.  

Tulip Time Festival, Bowral

Evening: French cuisine with an English twist  

Finish your day trip to the Southern Highlands with dinner at Harry’s on Green Lane. This quirky restaurant is named after English horticulturalist Sir Harry Veitch, and it is filled with greenery, antique books and an assortment of furniture, with a cosy fireplace in the wintertime. The menu featured provincial and Italian dishes and an international wine list.  

Harry’s on Green Lane, Bowral - Credit: Harry’s on Green Lane