City getaways have their appeal but you can’t beat country escapes that get a fraction of the crowds. Nestled in the lush Southern Highlands countryside, the historic village of Berrima is a postcard-perfect destination that feels far away even though it’s just a short drive from Sydney. Filled with vintage shops, heritage buildings and charming boutiques, it is known as Australia’s best-preserved village from the 1800s and has impressively retained its old-world charm over the years. Because of its high elevation of about 665 m above sea level and cool climate, it’s an excellent weekend trip during autumn and winter. Here are the best things to do in this quaint corner of NSW.
Berrima, Southern Highlands
Established in 1831, the largely preserved Australian Georgian colonial town offers visitors a window to the past and an opportunity to experience life like it was nearly two centuries ago. Once settlement began in the 1830s, a number of Georgian and Victorian buildings were built including inns, residences, a courthouse and a gaol which you can visit even today.
It’s a very walkable village with plenty of wineries, riverside walks, and historical landmarks surrounded by rolling hills and sun-splashed corners perfect for a weekend saunter. There is a lot more to see other than just buildings. Here’s everything you can do around town if you plan a trip.
Things to see and do
1. Go wine-tasting in the vineyards
The Southern Highlands is home to excellent wineries and one to check out in Berrima is Bendooley Estate where you can indulge in wine tastings with cheese and charcuterie from 10am and 3pm every day. Another must-visit is Joadja Estate which is the oldest vineyard and winery in the Southern Highlands and offers wine tasting for just $5 per person. Wine lovers should also stop by PepperGreen Estate, a cool-climate vineyard offering a sublime selection of premium vines.
2. Stroll the historic heritage walk
The best way to learn more about a town is by going on a long, meandering walk through its streets and Berrima offers the perfect opportunity to step back in time through its historic walk. Winding past historic buildings, this 1km trail is an excellent way to see all of the village’s heritage roots and beautiful architecture. Find the full map and all the highlights here.
3. Cosy up in a winery, book shop and restaurant
The Berkelouw Book Barn is a bookshop by day, a wedding venue at night and the Bendooley Estate’s restaurant and bar dishing out wholesome meals by the gardens and vineyard. It’s one of the best places for book lovers offering a cosy spot with a snug fireplace to settle in with your next read. It also offers wine tasting for $10.
4. Try the famous bakeries at Berrima
A visit to the Southern Highlands is incomplete without trying the popular Gumnut Patisserie’s pies, pastries and desserts. The bakery has three locations dotted around the Highlands — Mittgong, Bowral and Berrima. Plus, get savoury and sweet pastries and fresh loaves of bread at Baked by Berrima or settle in for afternoon tea at Magpie Cafe. There are plenty of quaint cafes and eateries to choose from.
5. Visit the Courthouse Museum
Built in 1838, this Regency-style courthouse was used to convict people of crime up until 1900. The building still stands and you can experience it in a number of ways. Sign up for a guided or self-guided tour throughout the week or get spooked on a ghost tour with tours starting late in the evening and concluding at midnight or in the wee hours of the morning. It has an entry fee of $10 which goes towards the upkeep of the museum.
Other notable heritage sites to visit include Berrima Gaol which was operational from 1839 to 2011 and housed inmates like Australia’s first serial killer John Lynch, Victoria Inn, a building built in 1840 and today operating as a traveller’s inn and brewery and the Surveyor General Inn, Australia’s oldest continuously licensed inn built in 1834. Find more heritage sites worth exploring here.
Read more about Berrima and find accomodation options here.
How to get to Berrima
Berrima is located on the Old Hume Highway and can be reached in under two hours’ drive from both Sydney and Canberra. If you’re using public transport, catch the train from Central to Moss Vale station, then catch the 812 bus towards Medway which will drop you at Old Berrima Gaol.
Berrima is also just a 10-minute drive to the lovely town of Bowral which is lined with bookshops and photogenic cafes and an hour’s drive to Berry which offers excellent boutique shops, cafes and natural scenery.