Berrima

Food and wine

Berrima’s elevation and cool climate is perfect for high-quality pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Sample some of these drops at the Southern Highlands’ oldest winery, Joadja Estate, operating since 1983. In the centre of town, PepperGreen Estate also has a cellar door with a restaurant, as well as wine and olive oil tasting.

PepperGreen Estate, Berrima - Credit: PepperGreen Estate  

For a taste of European-styled cuisines, dine at the award-winning Eschalot. This restaurant delivers fresh, seasonal produce sourced from its own gardens in a beautiful cottage-like setting. The Tasting Room at The Loch serves paddock-to-plate tastings on Sundays, as well as a three-course lunch and farm tours.

Eschalot, Berrima

The grand and picturesque Bendooley Estate on the edge of town is home to an incredible Book Barn, which houses thousands of old and new books in a renovated hayshed. Browse through the incredible collection before tasting some superb wines at the cellar door and restaurant, or relaxing with a cup of coffee at the cafe.

Bendooley Estate, Berrima

History and heritage

Step back in time on the self-guided Berrima Heritage Walk, past the Berrima Courthouse, a Regency-style sandstone-hewn building dating back to the 1830s. Stop for a drink at one of Australia’s oldest licensed pubs, the Surveyor General Inn, built by convicts in 1834. The Berrima River Walk is another gorgeous stroll past riverside heritage.

Wingecarribee River, Berrima

Browse local galleries and quirky shops such as the Baytree in Berrima and Mrs Oldbucks Pantry. The National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion is a preserved Georgian-style residence open on Saturdays, Sundays and most public holidays. For artefacts, exhibitions and stories of the region, visit the fascinating Berrima District Museum.

Berrima, Southern Highlands

Getting there

Berrima is just under two hours’ drive from both Sydney and Canberra. You can also catch the train from Sydney to nearby Moss Vale and transfer via local bus. Berrima offers a range of accommodation steeped in history, with a number of restored cottages, some of which are listed on the National Trust.