Travel Archives - Page 17 of 66

Pie Time in the Southern Highlands NSW

June 7, 2019 / Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Pie time in the Southern Highlands is the most delicious time of year. Located only an hour and a half southwest of Sydney, the Southern Highlands make for an easy day trip. Throughout the month of June the region is host to a plethora of delicious pie experiences.

Pie Time in the Southern Highlands, NSW

The Big Pie and Visitors Centre, Mittagong

The Southern Highlands is the home of Australia’s newest Big Thing – the Big Pie! Located at the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre in Mittagong, the Big Pie has been erected in recognition of pie month in the Southern ‘Pie-lands’ during June. The Big Pie sits at over 2 metres wide by 1.5 high. Following Pie Time ‘The Big Pie’ will be positioned in the forecourt of the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre to promote the year-round Southern Highlands Pie Trail.

Drop into the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre while you’re there to read up about the history of pies and try their award-winning toilets.

Stones Patisserie, Bowral

This beautiful bakery is lovingly run by owner Mark Stone, turning out award-winning pies and delicious dishes daily. After winning the Best Pie and Best Artisan Pie 2018 for NSW/ACT with Stone’s ‘head to tail’ pie, this bakery is a must to try their hero pie created for pie month, the Superman pie (a beef bourguignon with peas, bacon, mushroom and a veal jus). There are also vegetarian options to be found at the patisserie, and I particularly enjoyed their apple crumble pie.

stonespatisserie.com

Heatherbrae’s Pies, Sutton Forest

The iconic roadstop pie shop serves up small batches of handmade pies, baked under the watchful eye of owner and pie man Russell Cox. Each filling is cooked to a specific recipe rather than a generic base being made with flavours added to it. The result is the most delicious pies that keep people coming back time after time. As well as a large range of savoury pies and sausage rolls, Heatherbrae’s has a fantastic range of retro sweet pastries.

While the Jillaroo (beef, bacon, cheese and onion) is a popular savoury pie, I highly enjoyed the vegan Red Lentil Curry pie and will be going back for more. Cox commented that the vegan pie is the fasted growing pie on the menu in terms of popularity.

heatherbraespies.com.au

Cuttaway Hill Wines, Exeter

Cuttaway Hill is the place to stop to try the Pie Time Festival’s Pies and Pinot. Enjoy a Cuttaway Hill Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris with a specially made Heatherbrae venison pie. Vegetarians can enjoy the Sweetie Pie and Bubbles for Pie Time, where you can enjoy their traditionally-made sparkling with a sweet Heatherbrae pie.

Families are welcome at Cuttaway Hill and are catered for during Pie Time. The Pie in the Sky event looks particularly fun, where you can enjoy a glass of wine, a Heatherbrae’s pie and peering at the stars through telescopes from the vineyard.

cuttawayhill.com.au

Southern Highlands Winery, Sutton Forest

Drop by for the Pie and Pinot and stay for the spectacular views from the cellar door restaurant at the Southern Highlands Winery.

Head chef Marco Salvestrin has crafted a rabbit and Pinot Noir pie for this special time of year, for a bargain $22. There are vegetarian options on the menu. I enjoyed the eggplant parmigiana and spinach. Kids also are catered for on the menu.

southernhighlandswinery.com.au/

Centennial Vineyards, Bowral

Choose between the Pie and Pinot with a braised beef brisket and tunnel mushroom pie or Sweetie Pie and Bubbles with a apple, ricotta and mulberry pie and glass of the vineyard’s Brut Rosé for only $15 during pie time.

centennial.net.au

Military Vehicle Tours and Centennial Vineyards

Take a vineyard tour with a difference at Centennial Vineyards with restoration expert and owner of Military Vehicle Tours Vinh Tran. During Pie Time he is offering visitors a 15-minute drive around the vines in a refurbished personnel carrier or jeep. All money raised from the tours goes directly to Vietnamese orphans and people affected by the Vietnam War. Tours go every 30 minutes during Pie Time.

Book your tour here.

Fairground Follies, Bowral

This warehouse of wonders is usually closed to the public. Fairground Follies is a collection of antique musical machines from the 1800s onwards, and is open this Pie Time on June 1 and 15 with a 1.5 hour tour by curator and owner Craig Robson with an apple or fruit pie and a hot drink. With proceeds going to Meals on Wheels, this is an incredible opportunity as well as a good cause.

Highlights from the collection include the original steam-powered carousel from Luna Park, pre-clockwork gravity-driven musical machines, a 1950s Decap Robot Orchestra and the grand Taj Mahal.

fairgroundfollies.com

Glass Café, Mittagong

Housed inside a 1890 heritage building, the Glass Café is hosting a special Paint Pinot event for Pie Time, with alpaca pie and Pinot Noir from award-winning winery Artemis. Paint your own alpaca using pie condiments such as ketchup, brown and yellow mustard.

glasscafe.com.au

Cycle Tours NSW

Burn off the pies on an e-bike with Cycle Tours NSW. Kick off and let the battery kick in, giving you power-assisted peddling. The tours take visitors through the regions breweries, wineries and restaurants and commence at the Mittagong Visitors Centre.

cycletoursnsw.com

Gumnut Patisserie, Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong

This famous patisserie attracts day trippers like us from Sydney and a line out the door is not an uncommon sight. Gumnut Patisserie are famous for their savoury pies and exquisite pastries. Their individually-made single-serve cakes and tarts are masterpieces, but we also loved the nostalgic, old school pastries like their vanilla and caramel slices.

gumnutpatisserie.com.au

More things to do in the Southern Highlands

Find plenty more things do to in the Southern Highlands here.

Find things do to in Bowral here.

Find things to do in Robertson here.

Find things to do in Berrima here.

Pie Time runs from 1st – 30th June. Get the full run down of Pie Time events here.

I experienced these Pie Time activities as a guest of Southern Highlands Tourism.

Hyams Beach Australia: Home to the whitest sand in the world

May 20, 2019 / Australia, Jervis Bay, NSW, South Coast, Travel / 0 comment

On the NSW South Coast, around 3 hours south of Sydney, you’ll find the whitest sand in the world at Hyams Beach. Located in the Jervis Bay Marine Park of the Shoalhaven region, Hyams Beach is one of 16 stunning white sand beaches in the area, however has shot to fame in recent years after it was awarded the Guinness World Record for the whitest sand.

Hyams Beach is a quiet residential beach with fine white sand and clear, gentle water. It’s the perfect family beach.

While most beach seekers choose to just lie on the sand or paddle in the water, Hyams Beach is also good for snorkelling, paddleboarding and fishing.

On the southern shores of the splendid Jervis Bay Marine Park, Hyams Beach is a charming seaside village in the Shoalhaven region with an eponymous stretch of fine white sand. Gentle waves from the bay lap onto the beach, a beautiful area for rolling out your towel and relaxing on the soft sand.

We love the north end of Hyams Beach which is a smaller little bay area that is very well protected from the ocean, and has rock pools at its south end.

Hyams Beach is also the last stop on the White Sands Walk includes Hyams Beach, which starts at Nelsons Beach in nearby Vincentia and takes you through Blenheim Beach, Greenfield Beach and Chinamans Beach before ending at Hyams Beach. The walk takes around 90 minutes one way.

To the south of Hyams Beach is the stunning Booderee National Park. You can read more about the Booderee National Park as well as other things to do in Jervis Bay here.

If you’d like to stay in Hyams Beach there are plenty of holiday homes available for rent. You can find out more regarding accommodation options in Jervis Bay here.

There is just the one cafe in the area: the Hyams Beach Store and Cafe. They are renowned for their excellent coffee.

If you are headed to Hyams Beach be aware of the limited parking situation. On busy days the streets are blocked off and rangers patrol the area. There is also only the one public toilet.

Dogs are permitted but must remain on leash at all times.

Welcome to Paradise: Things To Do In Jervis Bay

May 9, 2019 / Australia, Huskisson, Jervis Bay, NSW, Shoalhaven, South Coast, Travel / 0 comment

Jervis Bay, in the Shoalhaven region of NSW, is a seaside haven with white sand beaches and wildlife galore. Located two-and-a-half to three hours drive south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is the perfect spot for a getaway for all ages. Stay a weekend or longer if you can. Jervis Bay will steal your heart and make it hard for you to leave. There are so many things to do in Jervis Bay!

Things to do in Jervis Bay

Huskisson

The main town in Jervis Bay, Huskisson is always pretty busy during tourist season. It’s full of cafes, places to shop, galleries and other amenities but it’s also hard to find a parking spot. Huskisson is on the shore of the Jervis Bay Marine Park, which is full of marine life including bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, little penguins and weedy sea dragons.

Boat tours leave from the jetty here and you can also hire kayaks. Kayaking is the perfect way to explore the stunning waters of Jervis Bay.

The Huskisson Bakery & Cafe

Drop by the iconic Husky Bakery for a pie. They are famous for their pies for a good reason – they’re delicious! The bakery has a large outside undercover eating area with play equipment to keep kids entertained, too.

If you don’t like pies, not to worry – there are plenty of things on the menu to choose from that aren’t pie-related, too. Veggie pies and other options such as sandwiches and egg dishes are on offer.

Read our full review on the Huskisson Bakery & Cafe here.

Pilgrims

This vegetarian cafe serves up wholesome meals in generous portions. The menu is healthy and full of both vegetarian and vegan options for vegetarians.

Read our full review on Pilgrims here.

Huskisson Ice Cream Parlour

You can’t visit the beach and not have ice cream! Have a double scoop, it’s delicious.

Read more about the Huskisson Ice Cream Parlour here.

Fudge Addiction

Sweet tooths will adore this little shop, packed with a huge range of traditional confectionery such as house-made fudge, toffee, Turkish delight, nougat, rocky Road, Coconut Ice and a range of Chocolate-coated products.

Boobook on Owen

Not just a bookshop, Boobook is a quirky collection of the most interesting, popular and ‘never want to put down’ books, handpicked by staff. There is an excellent kids section plus a 2nd hand bargain area.

Vincentia

The next town south from Huskisson is Vincentia. It’s only a few minutes drive but is much quieter. It still has a few cafes and supermarkets but without the crowds. Vincentia has plenty of pretty beaches to choose from including the dog friendly Nelsons Beach.

Nelsons Beach

One of the quieter beaches in Jervis Bay, Nelsons Beach has lots of white sand and nothing else in sight. You won’t find shops or cafes here but you will find space to spread out on the beach and spend a peaceful day at the beach with your family. Dogs are welcome at Nelsons Beach and in the mornings and evenings it resembles a dog park! Sunrise and sunset are both stunning at Nelsons Beach.

Greenfield Beach

Another stunning beach set in the Jervis Bay National Park, Greenfield Beach has crystal clear water and powdery white sand. It also has walking tracks, free electric barbecue, clean drinking water, cold showers, flush toilet, sheltered eating area and wheelchair access, making it a perfect day at the beach. There is also a lot of wildlife in the are to be discovered on the walking tracks.

Greenfield Beach is also the start of the White Sands Walk.

Image courtesy of Destination NSW.

White Sands Walk

This beautiful walk takes you through the Jervis Bay National Park, past some of the South Coast’s most stunning beaches.

The walk starts at Greenfield Beach picnic area in Vincentia and takes you past beaches that include Chinamans, Seamans and Hyams beaches, with easy-to-follow directions. Bottlenoiose dolphins are often seen from this trail, as are fur seals, little penguins and humpback and southern right whales during their annual migration along the coast between May and November.

At Hyams Beach, where the walk ends, return via the Scribbly Gum track that goes inland through tall forests, back to the top of Greenfield Beach picnic area.

Callala Beach

Callala Beach is the longest beach in Jervis Bay and is also dog-friendly. Calalla is a small town that is quiet and has only a few basic amenities, and is a bit further drive north out of Huskisson.

Hyams Beach

A residential area, Hyams Beach is now inundated with tourists and busy during the popular tourist times. There is one cafe to drop by for lunch or a coffee – a better idea is to pack your food for the day.

With the influx of tourists, driving and parking around the area can be painful – however, the beach itself is lovely and well worth visiting. The rock pools between the north and south beaches are a lovely spot for kids to splash around. Hyams Beach is a short drive south of Vincentia.

Farm Stay at The Woods Farm

A 15 minute drive inland from Huskisson, The Woods Farm is a farmstay with a bit of luxury. Daily animals feedings of the chickens, alpacas, feisty goats horse and miniature pony are a hit with the kids.

There are eight individual cottages to choose from, each with three bedrooms and 1.5 bath plus a glamping tent out the front that can be added on for an extra $150 a night. We stayed for two nights and enjoyed our stay, however found it a bit pricey for the experience offered. Be aware that there is a cleaning fee of $250 in addition to the nightly rate.

Get more information on The Woods Farm here.

St Georges Basin

The largest town on the late of the same name, St Georges basin is perfect for those who love fishing, boating and swimming. St Georges Basin is on the northern shore and near Sanctuary Point, only a short drive from Huskisson and Vincentia.

Read more about visiting St Georges Basin here.

Moona Moona Creek

A top spot to swim with kids! The entrance to the Moona Moona Creek is popular with families who love to swim in the shallow water. Nearby Moona Moona reserve is a great spot for a picnic with barbecue facilities, outdoor showers and shady areas.

Read more about visiting Moona Moona Creek here.

Image courtesy of Destination NSW.

Point Perpendicular Lightstation

I love a good lighthouse! It’s a bit of a drive to get to Point Perpendicular, but the view at the end of Jervis Bay escarpment is worth it. The historic lighthouse was active from 1889 to 1993. There is no access inside the lighthouse but I thought the view was worth the drive.

Read more about visiting Point Perpendicular Lightstation here.

Booderee National Park

Booderee is a spectacular place to visit and stay, with white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs and teaming with wildlife. You need a park pass to enter the Booderee National Park, which you can buy at the entrance.

Jervis Bay Village

The Jervis Bay Village is the spot to to stop to pick up supplies from the general store or order a meal from the takeaway shop. We ordered burgers that came out old style and delicious. They even had several veggie options on offer including a spinach and ricotta roll and veggie burger.

Green Patch

Green Patch is a popular spot for its spectacular beach. The white sand and bright blue water is just as stunning as nearby Hyams, with the added tranquility of a bush surrounding. You will find plenty of wildlife in the surrounding bush such as kookaburras and kangaroos. There are extremely clean public restrooms here.

We rated Green path as the prettiest beach and as one of our favourite things to do in Jervis Bay.

Cave Beach

Cave Beach is famous for residential kangaroos who can usually be found munching on grass in the camping area behind the beach. Be careful as the kangas can get a bit aggressive if they smell food on you so leave food in your car.

Hole in the Wall Beach

We loved walking along the beach to the sandstone rock wall at its eastern end with a U shaped hole in it that gave the beach its name: “Hole in the Wall Beach”.

The hole (well, now U shape) is a popular photography spot especially in the early morning. We also enjoyed the rock pools we found walking up the beach to the rock wall at the end. Around the U hole are more rock pools and a longer walk. Exploring amazing places like this is one of the best things to do in Jervis Bay.

Murrays Beach

The perfect family beach, Murrays has pristine, calm water perfect for swimmers and snorkelers with sparkling white sand. Murrays Beach is located in a protected bay which is sheltered by Bowen Island.

You can take several walks around Murrays Beach for stunning views of the bay as well as Bowen Island, which is off limits to tourists and is a haven for penguins. We didn’t see any penguins but we weren’t there in peak penguin season.

Where to stay in Jervis Bay

There are plenty of options from hotels to vacation rentals and camping.

Find the perfect accommodation in Jervis Bay for your budget and taste here.

Jervis Bay Accommodation: Where to stay in Jervis Bay

May 6, 2019 / Australia, Jervis Bay, NSW, Shoalhaven, South Coast, Travel / 0 comment

Jervis Bay, in the Shoalhaven region of NSW, is a seaside haven with white sand beaches and wildlife galore. Located two-and-a-half to three hours drive south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is the perfect spot for a getaway for all ages. Find your perfect Jervis Bay accommodation here and start booking your trip!

Jervis Bay Accommodation

Where to stay in Jervis Bay

Huskisson

The main town in Jervis Bay, Huskisson is always pretty busy during tourist season. It’s full of cafes, places to shop, galleries and other amenities but it’s also hard to find a parking spot. Huskisson is on the shore of the Jervis Bay Marine Park, which is full of marine life including bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, little penguins and weedy sea dragons. Boat tours leave from the jetty here.

Vincentia

The next town south from Huskisson is Vincentia. It’s only a few minutes drive but is much quieter. It still has a few cafes and supermarkets but without the crowds. Vincentia has plenty of pretty beaches to choose from including the dog friendly Nelsons Beach plus a quieter vibe, so is our pick of where to stay in Jervis Bay.

We stayed at a house called Kokomo that we rented on Homeaway. There was a Coles and Woolworths nearby so we had all the basics sorted for cooking and it was a short stroll down the end of our street to get to the beach. Winner!

Callala Beach

Callala Beach is the longest beach in Jervis Bay and is also dog-friendly. Calalla is a small town that is quiet and has only a few basic amenities, and is a bit further drive north out of Huskisson. We’ve stayed here before and it was a bit too quiet and far from the main area and its amenities for our liking but a lot of families love it here.

Hyams Beach

A residential area, Hyams Beach is now inundated with tourists and busy during the popular tourist times. There is very little in the way of amenities and with the influx of tourists driving and parking around the area can be painful – however, the beach itself is lovely. Hyams Beach is a short drive south of Vincentia.

St Georges Basin

The largest town on the late of the same name, St Georges basin is perfect for those who love fishing, boating and swimming. St Georges Basin is on the northern shore and near Sanctuary Point, only a short drive from Huskisson and Vincentia. There’s an IGA for basic groceries here and it’s not much further to get to the new giant Woolworths in Vincentia.

The Woods Farm

A 15 minute drive inland from Huskisson, The Woods Farm is a farmstay with a bit of luxury. Daily animals feedings of the chickens, alpacas, feisty goats horse and miniature pony are a hit with the kids. There are eight individual cottages to choose from, each with three bedrooms and 1.5 bath plus a glamping tent out the front that can be added on for an extra $150 a night. We stayed for two nights and enjoyed our stay, however found it a bit pricey for the experience offered.

Get more information on The Woods Farm here.

Book Jervis Bay accommodation

Find a wide range of holiday rentals, hotels and BnBs in Jervis Bay here:

Holiday rentals

We found the best way Jervis Bay accommodation to suit us through holiday home rentals from Stayz. There are plenty of houses that make for a perfect family or large group holiday – multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, full kitchen and laundry, pools and pet-friendly options are all available here.

Hotels and motels

There are also hotels and motels to choose from in Jervis Bay, although not as many options to choose from as holiday rentals. You can browse hotel and motel Jervis Bay accommodation here.

Camping in Jervis Bay

There are lots of camping options around Jervis Bay to choose from. Read up carefully on the camp site requirements before heading down. Some require entering lotteries for peak seasons.

Booderee National Park

Booderee is a spectacular place to visit and stay, with white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs and teaming with wildlife. You need a park pass to enter the Booderee National Park. If you are planning on camping, you must stick to one of the designated camping grounds and book your spot early to avoid missing out.

Booderee National Park Camping Grounds

Green Patch

Green Patch is a popular spot for its spectacular beach. With its natural setting and discrete campsites, Green Patch are ideal for families and small groups. Sites are either standard or large with a choice of drive-in or walk-in.

Bristol Point

Set among mature bushland, Bristol Point offers walk-in campsites only. Sites come in either standard or large sizes and are suitable for larger groups.

Cave Beach

Cave Beach is a grassy camping area is set amongst coastal tea trees and is ideal for lightweight camping. The camping area is 300 metres from the carpark and all equipment must be carried in.

Get more information on camping in the Booderee National Park here

Honeymoon Bay

Honeymoon Bay is set in a picturesque location in Jervis Bay. It is approximately 10 kilometres from the edge of Currarong along the Point Perpendicular. Camping is available most weekends, school holidays and public holidays. Get more information on camping at Honeymoon Bay here.

Jervis Bay Holiday Park

A great choice for camping with kids when you still want a pool, cooking facilities and bathrooms. Jervis Bay Caravan Park and Cabins offers varies types of accommodation including powered and unpowered campsites, cabins with shared bathrooms, superior tents and private villas. The park also has it’ own private boat ramp and jetty, a perfect spot to launch your boat, canoe or Kayak.

Get more information on staying at the Jervis Bay Holiday Park here.

Jervis Bay Cabins & Hidden Creek Real Camping

Get a real bush camping experience on five acres of bushland surrounded by the Currambene Creek. Hidden Creek Campsite offers accommodation for all tastes and budgets. Whether you have a swag/2-10 man tent, camper van, motor home, camper trailer or caravan, they have a site to accommodate you, with secluded powered and unpowered sites, each with their own campfire pit. Hidden Creek Campsite also has a variety of cabins to suit all needs and budgets. BYO Linen/Doona’s/Sleeping Bags/Towels. Some cabins have private bathrooms, some have shared.

Get more information on Hidden Creek Campsite here.

Glamping at Jervis Bay

Paperbark Camp

This unique accommodation provides guests with a camping experience soaked in luxury. The tents are solar powered and all linen and towels are provided (except for beach towels). There are no cooking facilities onsite – there is a restaurant however for full-service breakfast and dinner and gourmet picnic baskets are available. Each luxury tent has its own bathroom. Kids 6+ are welcome at Paperbark Camp, however no pets are allowed.

Get more information on Paperbark Camp here.

The Woods Farm

Glamping tents are on offer at The Woods Farm, a country farmstay which is located in Tomerong, around 15 mins drive from the Jervis Bay beaches. There is a central bathroom for all glamping guests and cooking facilities.

Get more information on a glamping stay at The Woods Farm here.

Affiliate links are used throughout this post. This means if you book through one of these links I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Bistro Dalby at the Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel

April 8, 2019 / Australia, Newcastle, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Bistro Dalby at the Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel

Bistro Dalby is a chic restaurant serving up Modern Australian cuisine. Located inside the Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel, the restaurant is the perfect place to dine after a day of sightseeing.

The restaurant offers indoor and alfresco dining options and a fully equipped bar. The menu has a great variety of dishes, including fresh and healthy options, with dietary requirements such as vegetarian and gluten free accommodated for.

Bistro Dalby has a bright, modern interior. We loved the orange chairs that were as comfortable as they were stylish. With plenty of space between the tables and its location on the ground floor of the hotel. Bistro Dalby is also wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Kids get their own special menu with the biggest variety of dishes I’ve ever seen, plus a page of activities on the back. It’s the first place we have dined where there have been so many kid options that it took a while for Cheese to decide what she wanted!

Adults will love the extensive wine list and menu that features a good choice of dishes that suits all appetites and diets.

We ordered the kids’ Spaghetti Bolognaise without meat and deconstructed for our fussy eater ($9.50). There are carefully hidden grated veggies in the sauce but shhhhh don’t tell our picky eater. She also chose the Ice Cream ($4.50) for dessert and the Kids’ Milkshake ($4.50).

I chose the Pumpkin Ravioli (w/ crisp sage & a burnt butter sauce topped w/ tea soaked raisins (V) $16) and Vegetarian Delight Pizza (w/ fresh napoli sauce, roasted sweet potato, goats cheese, rocket, spanish onion & pinenuts $22).

I loved my dishes. The ravioli was perfectly cooked with creamy pumpkin inside and the serving size was very generous for an appetizer (the dish is available in a larger side for a main).

My pizza was delicious. The base was crispy and the toppings fresh. I can’t stand a soggy pizza and this was spot on. The pinenuts were a particularly nice touch with the zesty goats cheese.

Hubby ordered the fish of the day. His only comment was “delicious” and not a single morsel was left. He also enjoyed the fresh mixed leaf salad.

It was hubby’s birthday when we dined and the staff brought his selected desert, the deconstructed mango cheesecake, with a candle on top and sang happy birthday to him. He isn’t a big dessert person so it speaks volumes that he loved it.

The staff at Bistro Dalby couldn’t have been more welcoming, friendlier or helpful throughout our stay. Our wonderful waitstaff could not do enough to make our dining experience memorable.

We love staying at the Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel when we are in town. You can read my review of the Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel here.

Check out fun things to do in Newcastle here.

Bistro Dalby at the Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel
5 King St, Newcastle
Phone: 4032 3700
Lunch Opening Hours: 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Dinner Opening Hours: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
novotelnewcastlebeach.com.au

Our visit to Bistro Dalby was hosted for reviewing purposes. The staff were unaware of this and the excellent service and food is indicative of the experience everyone receives.

Sydney Escapes: Things to do in the Southern Highlands

March 28, 2019 / Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Things to do in the Southern Highlands: Berrima, Bowral & Robertson

The Southern Highlands are a 90 minute drive south west of Sydney or just under 2 hours from Canberra.

Comprised of the towns of Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Berrima, Bundanoon and many other smaller villages, the Southern Highlands is a great spot for a day trip or weekend break to enjoy the colourful gardens, stunning waterfalls, nature walks, history, heritage and delicious food on offer. There are plenty of things to do in the Southern Highlands!

Berrima

The historic village of Berrima makes for a charming and character-filled day trip. Stroll through the streets with their colonial sandstone buildings, visit the Berrima Courthouse or while the day away at a cafe.

Find things to do in Berrima here.

Bowral

Bowral is the largest town in the Southern Highlands. It’s a great spot for shopping, dining, bush walking and visiting local attractions including the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame.

Find things to do in Bowral here.

Exeter

Experience our English heritage in this thriving village which is home to a large number of English-style estates, a historic stone church and country railway station.

Cuttaway Hill Wines, Exeter

The family-owned Cuttaway Hill Wines is a great place to stop to try premium quality table wines. I sampled raw Champagne at Cuttaway Hill and enjoyed the experience of seeing how it’s made.

cuttawayhill.com.au

Mittagong

The Big Pie and Visitors Centre, Mittagong

The Southern Highlands is the home of Australia’s newest Big Thing – the Big Pie! Located at the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre in Mittagong, the Big Pie has been erected in recognition of pie month in the Southern ‘Pie-lands’ during June. The Big Pie sits at over 2 metres wide by 1.5 high. Following Pie Time ‘The Big Pie’ will be positioned in the forecourt of the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre to promote the year-round Southern Highlands Pie Trail.

Drop into the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre while you’re there to read up about the history of pies and try their award-winning toilets.

Glass Café, Mittagong

Housed inside a 1890 heritage building, the Glass Café is a fun and quirky café restaurant. The menu includes gluten free and vegetarian options, and the café has a relaxed vibe perfect for families. The backyard is pet friendly and free WiFi is available.

glasscafe.com.au

Cycle Tours NSW

Burn off the pastries on an e-bike with Cycle Tours NSW. Kick off and let the battery kick in, giving you power-assisted peddling. The tours take visitors through the regions breweries, wineries and restaurants and commence at the Mittagong

cycletoursnsw.com

Sutton Forrest

This small village is the place to stop for a true country escape.

Heatherbrae’s Pies, Sutton Forest

The iconic road stop pie shop serves up small batches of handmade pies, baked under the watchful eye of owner and pie man Russell Cox. Each filling is cooked to a specific recipe rather than a generic base being made with flavours added to it. The result is the most delicious pies that keep people coming back time after time. As well as a large range of savoury pies and sausage rolls, Heatherbrae’s has a fantastic range of retro sweet pastries.

While the Jillaroo (beef, bacon, cheese and onion) is a popular savoury pie, I highly enjoyed the vegan Red Lentil Curry pie and will be going back for more. Cox commented that the vegan pie is the fasted growing pie on the menu in terms of popularity.

heatherbraespies.com.au

Southern Highlands Winery, Sutton Forest

Drop by for a delicious meal created by head chef Marco Salvestrin, and stay for the spectacular views from the cellar door restaurant at the Southern Highlands Winery.

There are vegetarian options on the menu (I enjoyed the eggplant parmigiana and spinach) and a kids’ menu featuring chicken schnitzel and chips, fish and chips, gnocchi napoletana, short pasta bolognese, meatballs with crostoni bread.

southernhighlandswinery.com.au/

Robertson

Robertson is known for their fertile land and potato growing, and is also where the 1995 movie Babe was filmed. The area is also home to the Budaroo National Park, stunning waterfalls and the Illawarra Fly ziplining and treetop walk experience.

Find things to do in Robertson here.

Robertson NSW: Sydney Day Trips

March 28, 2019 / Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Things to do in Robertson NSW

Robertson is known for their fertile land and potato growing, and is also where the 1995 movie Babe was filmed. The area is also home to the Budderoo National Park, stunning waterfalls and the Illawarra Fly ziplining and treetop walk experience. Robertson is an appox 90 minutes drive south of Sydney.

The Big Potato

The Big Potato was modelled on the Sebgo potato. At approx 10 metres long and four metres high, it’s a rather large spud that sits in the middle of a park on the side of the Illawarra Highway.

Illawarra Highway, Robertson

Robertson Pie Shop

The popular pie shop is the spot to drop by for a hot savoury or sweet fruit pie. The Robertson pie Shop has been a family-run business for 37 years. It’s a very casual shop, with plenty of seating. Pies are served to go. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. We loved the ricotta and spinach rolls and took home a large peach pie.

4400 Illawarra Highway, Robertson
robertsonpieshop.com.au

Robertson Cheese Factory

Carrington Falls

The magnificent Carrington Falls, a 50m waterfall plunging into a natural swimming gully, is located in the Budderoo National Park in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

The Kangaroo River flows over a sandstone escarpment into the gully below. There is a loop walk that takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and takes visitors to three lookouts with stunning views as well past cascades, waterholes and rockpools.

Read more about visiting Carrington Falls here.

Fitzroy Falls

The spectacular Fitzroy Falls is located inside the Morton National Park, in the Southern Highlands of NSW, a two hour drive from Sydney or Canberra and 60mins from Wollongong. The 81-metre waterfall is easy to access and makes for a stunning day trip.

Fitzroy Falls are viewable from several lookout points, the first of which is only a short walk from the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and is full accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Read more about visiting Fitzroy Falls here.

Belmore Falls

Belmore Falls is a plunge waterfall with three drops. It’s extremely easy to drive directly up to the lookout point and enjoy these stunning views over the Kangaroo valley. There is a 1.8km return walk that can be taken from the lookout to the top of the waterfalls.

Read more about visiting Belmore Falls here.

Illawarra Fly

Fly through the tree tops at Illawarra Fly, the highest zipline tour in Australia. Illawarra Fly is located 2 hours south of Sydney, and also includes a 1.5km Treetop walk.

Things to do in nearby Bowral

Bowral is the largest town in the Southern Highlands. It’s a great spot for shopping, dining, bush walking and visiting local attractions including the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame.

Find things do to in Bowral here.

Things to do in nearby Berrima

The historic village of Berrima makes for a charming and character-filled day trip. Stroll through the streets with their colonial sandstone buildings, visit the Berrima Courthouse or while the day away at a cafe.

Find things to do in Berrima here.

Things to do in Bowral NSW

March 28, 2019 / Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Things to do in Bowral NSW

Bowral is the largest town in the Southern Highlands, around 90 minutes drive south of Sydney. It’s a great spot for shopping, dining, bush walking and visiting local attractions. There are plenty of things to do in Bowral!

Corbett Gardens

This beautiful park is the main attraction every spring for the Tulip Time Festival. The garden itself dates back to 1911 when the local tourist association bought Deadmans Paddock at the suggestion of Mrs Ada Corbett, and transformed it into a public park . Each spring the park blooms with 75,000 tulips and 15,000 annuals.

The garden is free to enter except during the Tulip Time Festival. If you attend the festival, an absolute must is to try the Devonshire Tea in the tea rooms run by the Country Women’s Association.

Wingecarribee St, Bowral

Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

Take a trip back to the glory days of cricket with a visit to the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame in the country town of Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands.

The museum features state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and a large collection of cricket memorabilia. Adjacent to the park where the Bradman Museum is housed you’ll find a cricket-themed children’s playground.

St Jude Street, Bowral
bradman.com.au

Image courtesy of DNSW.

Mary Poppins statue

Mary Poppins author Pamela L. Travers lived in Bowral as a child in a house on Holly Street. Local legend says that the famous story was born in the town, where Travers would tell the story of a nanny who floated in on the north wind to her younger sisters. The statue was unveiled in 2013 to commemorate the famous resident.

Bowral Street, Glebe Park, Bowral

Dirty Jane’s Emporium and Antique Market

A family business, Dirty Jane’s is a unique shopping experience located inside a large warehouse. Over 75 independent dealers have shops set up inside, selling a range of vintage and antique pieces including furniture, homewares, artwork, clothing, jewellery, kitchenware, glassware, china, collectibles and more.

You will want to spend a solid hour or more pouring over all the treasures inside!

13-15 Banyette St, Bowral
dirtyjanes.com

Your Vintage Occassion Tea Salon at Dirty Janes

Stop by ‘Your Vintage Occassion Tea Salon’ for delectable scones and pastries. They serve delicious tea blends in fine bone china cups, plus a range of light meals including gourmet sandwiches, tarts, soups, cakes and what has been called Bowral’s finest High Tea.

We highly enjoyed our rose scones. The tea salon offers a different selection of scones daily and is open seven days, 10am to 4pm.

Read more about high tea Bowral at Dirty Janes.

13-15 Banyette St, Bowral
dirtyjanes.com

Gumnut Patisserie

This famous patisserie attracts day trippers like us from Sydney and a line out the door is not an uncommon sight. Gumnut Patisserie are famous for their savoury pies and exquisite pastries. Their individually-made single-serve cakes and tarts are masterpieces, but we also loved the nostalgic, old school pastries like their vanilla and caramel slices.

Gumnut Patisserie is in three locations in the Southern Highlands: Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong.

Shop 1, Post Office Corner, Hume Highway, Berrima
gumnutpatisserie.com.au

Bowral’s Sweets & Treats

Big and little kids alike will absolutely love this sugary heaven. Sweets & Treats is filled with domestics and international candy of every kind, with a great assortment of locally-made products including award-winning fudge and handmade chocolates.

High Street Arcade, 310-312 Bong Bong St

Centennial Vineyards

A beautiful sprawling vineyard with a top notch restaurant, Centennial Vineyards is open for lunch from Wednesday – Sunday and High Tea Monday – Friday and weekends on special request.

centennial.net.au

Fairground Follies

This warehouse of wonders is usually closed to the public. Fairground Follies is a collection of antique musical machines from the 1800s onwards curated by owner Craig Robson.

Highlights from the collection include the original steam-powered carousel from Luna Park, pre-clockwork gravity-driven musical machines, a 1950s Decap Robot Orchestra and the grand Taj Mahal.

fairgroundfollies.com

The Press Shop

This modern cafe is home to the locally owned Bespoke Letterpress, making for a unique place to dine and shop for fine stationary in the one place.

The Press Shop is known for their excellent coffee and seasonal menu (there is a kids’ menu available for children aged 12 an under).

A stunning blue curved door on the main street of Bowral marks the entry.

5/391-397 Bong Bong St, Bowral
thepressshop.com.au

Green Lane

This leafy boulevard is home to the restaurant Harry’s on Green Lane, The Potting Shed garden centre and the elegant The Orangery.

Harry’s on Green Lane is open daily from 10am for brunch coffee and snacks, with lunch from 12pm. Green Lane Kitchen serves takeaway coffee and meals if you need food to go. The alfresco dining area is the big draw here for us. The tables are tucked away inside what looks like a citrus grove, giving it an airy, leafy feeling.

Stop by The Orangery to browse their palms, ferns and indoor plants plus a colourful selection of vintage tables, lamps, vases, jardinieres, candles and gift items.

15-17 Banyette St, Bowral
harryswinebarbowral.com

thepottingshedbowral.com

Things do to in nearby Berrima

The nearby historic village of Berrima makes for a charming and character-filled day trip. Stroll through the streets with their colonial sandstone buildings, visit the Berrima Courthouse or while the day away at a cafe. Berrima is a 10 min drive from Bowral.

Find things to do in Berrima here.

Things to do in nearby Robertson

Robertson is known for their fertile land and potato growing, and is also where the 1995 movie Babe was filmed. The area is also home to the Budaroo National Park, stunning waterfalls and the Illawarra Fly ziplining and treetop walk experience.

Find things to do in Robertson here.

More things to do in the Southern Highlands

Finds things to do in Exeter, Mittagong and Sutton Forrest here.

More things to do in Sydney

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Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

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Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Historic Berrima, NSW: Sydney Day Trips

March 28, 2019 / Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Things to do in historic Berrima

The historic village of Berrima makes for a charming and character-filled day trip. Stroll through the streets with their colonial sandstone buildings, visit the Berrima Courthouse or while the day away at a cafe.

Berrima Courthouse

Bendooley Estate Book Barn

A must for bibliophiles, the Book Barn is located inside a transformed hay shed on the historic Bendooley Estate. The Book Barn is packed with thousands of new, second-hand, rare and antiquarian books, including an excellent children’s section.

After browsing the books, take a seat in front of the fireplace and enjoy lunch at the Bendooley Estate Restaurant and cellar door. The woodfire pizzas are excellent. You can also drop by for coffee and a snack.

Lolly Swagman

The sweetest spot in Berrima, the Lolly Swagman stocks old favourite lollies and chocolates, Dutch, English and American imports and homemade fudge. Try the Coconut ice, which is made to made to Lolly Swagman’s grandmother’s original century-old recipe.

Old Hume Highway, Berrima
lollyswagman.com.au

The General Store & Cafe

This rustic cafe serves up hearty meals in a casual, friendly environment. The General Store & Cafe offers breakfast, lunch, coffee and pastries.

The cafe is large and has plenty of space for families and big groups. The General Store & Cafe are particularly family-friendly, and have a focus on local produce and beautiful food.

1/13 Old Hume Highway, Berrima
facebook.com/berrimageneralstoreandcafe

Gumnut Patisserie

This famous patisserie attracts day trippers like us from Sydney and a line out the door is not an uncommon sight. Gumnut Patisserie are famous for their savoury pies and exquisite pastries. Their individually-made single-serve cakes and tarts are masterpieces, but we also loved the nostalgic, old school pastries like their vanilla and caramel slices.

Gumnut Patisserie is in three locations in the Southern Highlands: Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong.

Shop 1, Post Office Corner, Hume Highway, Berrima
gumnutpatisserie.com.au

Berrima Marketplace Park

This gorgeous playground is beautifully themed to historic Berrima and is located in a family friendly park with easy access and great facilities. In the park you will also find toilets, picnic tables, electric BBQs and a large shelter shed.

Old Hume Highway, Berrima

Things to do in nearby Bowral

Only 10 mins drive away is Bowral, the largest town in the Southern Highlands. It’s a great spot for shopping, dining, bush walking and visiting local attractions including the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame.

Find things to do in Bowral here.

Things to do in nearby Robertson

Robertson is known for their fertile land and potato growing, and is also where the 1995 movie Babe was filmed. The area is also home to the Budaroo National Park, stunning waterfalls and the Illawarra Fly ziplining and treetop walk experience.

Find things to do in Robertson here.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Carrington Falls and Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park, NSW

March 25, 2019 / Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Carrington Falls and Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park, NSW

The magnificent Carrington Falls, a 50m waterfall plunging into a natural swimming gully, is located in the Budderoo National Park in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

The Kangaroo River flows over a sandstone escarpment into the gully below. There is a loop walk that takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and takes visitors to three lookouts with stunning views as well past cascades, waterholes and rockpools.

The loop walk starts from northern car park off Jamberoo Mountain Road. Start at Carrington Falls picnic area, also known as Thomas Place. Located in the park’s north west, there is a picnic area here and rest rooms and the start of a variety of walking trails. The start of the path is paved and there is disabled access to the first lookout.

Further along the path are more lookouts and a gorgeous rock shelf with large pools of water.

From the lower car park, at the Nellies Glen picnic area, visitors can choose from more scenic walks, including the Warris Chair lookout track or Missingham lookout track for views over Carrington Falls Gorge.

Nellies Glen picnic area is another gorgeous spot. A 100m walk from the car park leads to a short cascading waterfall that flows into a natural swimming hole. Bring towels and take a swim if you don’t mind the water on the chilly side!

From the Nellies Glen picnic area we we also took the Warris Chair lookout trail, which is a 1km / 1 hour return walk to a gorgeous lookout.

Get more info on Carrington Falls here.