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Postcards and morsels - Berrima, New South Wales Southern Highlands

30/9/2014

20 Comments

 
The Art of Bookbinding store, Berrima NSW
With today's busy lifestyles, those delicious weekend getaways we so enjoy can find themselves pushed right to the very back of the back burner. And yet there is so much to explore on our doorstep, if only we can make some time.

Berrima in the southern highlands of New South Wales is the perfect example of a distinctly interesting destination, situated around an hour and a half by car from either the Canberra or Sydney CBD.  My co-pilot and sous chef, Peter, and I have driven through Moss Vale countless times on our way to and from the Illawarra in the last several years. Every time we've commented on the sign pointing to Berrima, noting that it has been far too long since we last called in to the area. Recently we decided to stop and revisit the beautifully preserved Georgian village, which is said to be the only one of its period in New South Wales. 

The town was established in 1831 as the result of the then Surveyor General, Sir Thomas Mitchell, being commissioned to find an easier route from Sydney to Goulburn. One historical reference says the Surveyor General and the then Governor were impressed by its situation in a 'picturesque valley, with a good supply of water from the river and many springs in the area, [as well as] the availability of sandstone for building.' 

What was once the 'village green' or 'common' is now the road through the town's centre and both sides of the road are lined with tall trees and rather magnificent buildings, including a row of cottages as well as a gaol (circa 1836, still operational!), a court house (1838), and the Surveyor General Inn (1834, the oldest continually licensed inn in New South Wales). Many of these were built by convict labour and have been beautifully preserved. 

We arrived mid afternoon and checked in to the Berrima Bakehouse Motel for the night. The reception was warm and welcoming and our host presented us with a range of options for dinner, as well as breakfast in the morning. There is much to see and do in this fine little town and we will definitely visit again soon. Here are my postcards and morsels from our stay.
Stone wall at the Berrima Court House

Good things to see and do in Berrima...

  • Put on your walking shoes and a hat and take a 'discovery walk' from one end of the town to the other
  • Soak up some history with a visit the Berrima District Museum, the Courhouse Museum and Harper's Mansion
  • Duck into one of the many quirky stores in the cottages along the main street, as well as down the stairs in the back lane way. There are lollies, teas, jams, honey. cakes, pies and lots of other goodies to be enjoyed
  • Explore the Berrima Cottage Nursery and be inspired by the colour and beauty of the plants and garden accessories
  • Check out the galleries, including The Bell Gallery, Berrima Galleries and Berrima Village Pottery
  • Stop for morning or afternoon tea at one of the many cafés and tea rooms
  • Book lovers should pop into Berkelouw Books (200,000 books!), as well as The Art of Bookbinding stores
  • Visit the cellar door at the Joadja Winery, the oldest vineyard and winery in the southern highlands
  • Cook yourself a steak at the Bushranger's Bistro at the Surveyor General Inn or treat yourself to fine dining at the award-winning Eschalot Restaurant
  • Make your tummy happy with a cooked breakfast at the Olde Magpie café

Breakfast at the Olde Magpie Café... 

Picture
The Olde Magpie Cafe in Berrima
Coffee at the Olde Magpie Cafe
Bacon with tomatoes and mushrooms
Magpie at the Olde Magpie Cafe

The Old Bakery cottage and tea rooms... 

The Old Bakery Cottage Berrima
Morning mist on flowers
Old Bakery Tea Rooms Berrima

Berrima Cottage Nursery...

Berrima Cottage Nursery
Berrima Cottage Nursery
Berrima Cottage Nursery
Picture
Berrima Cottage Nursery - orange wall flowers

Duck in and explore the various specialty shoppes & galleries... 

Ducks in Boots, Berrima

Tea and Fine Foods Berrima
Tea pot Berrima

Hawthorn Berrima

Old Shed, Berrima main street

Berrima main street

Silver Birch with heritage rooftop in background, Berrima

In a nutshell...

If you plan to visit Berrima, there is motel, inn and B&B cottage-style accommodation in the Old Berrima township. There are caravan parks, as well as apartments and hotels in neighbouring Moss Vale and Bowral. For more information about Berrima, see the Destination New South Wales web site. 
Panorama, Berrima NSW

Tell me dear readers, do you enjoy weekends in quirky little townships? What's your favourite place to visit and explore?
20 Comments
Ambra Sancin link
29/9/2014 12:19:49 pm

Hi Liz - I was in Berrima last weekend and we may have crossed paths! I was invited to a birthday lunch at 'Josh's' a few metres away from where the wooden ducks are sold. It was excellent and I highly recommend it when you visit next. It's modern modern Turkish cuisine.

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:17:31 pm

Hi there Ambra, oh wow... we could well have done so! We will check out Josh's next time, thanks... and isn't Berrima a charming place!

Reply
e / dig in hobart link
29/9/2014 02:18:27 pm

oh how lovely. i'm a rel homebody and i love visiting my backyard on the weekend - that's as far as i get! you've inspired me to do something different.

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:18:10 pm

Hi Elizabeth... you know it's lovely to be at home but it is really good to travel the neighbourhood too, you can find so many lovely places! xo

Reply
Whispering Gums link
29/9/2014 02:22:15 pm

Love Berrima and regularly make overnight or two night trips there - one is an annual meet my Sydney friend overnight stay (at the gorgeous Jellore Cottage) mostly. This year hubby and I went for two nights for an anniversary weekend. I never tire of visiting the place. It seems ti have managed to retina something natural and unique despite the "tourist" aspects. Love all the restaurants and cafes (including out at Berkelouws)

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:18:41 pm

So true... and how wonderful that you visit regularly. I think Peter and I need to make a habit of it too!

Reply
KRISTA R BJORN link
29/9/2014 02:54:50 pm

What a pretty and inspiring little town, Liz. I definitely love spots like this. It makes me happy to just hunker down and thoroughly enjoy a different world for a while. :-)

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:19:01 pm

Ah Krista, so true, so delicious to do that.

Reply
Amanda @ Gourmanda link
29/9/2014 06:13:51 pm

I've never heard of Berrima before - granted, I still don't know a lot of regional NSW despite living in Sydney for the past three years! It looks like it's definitely worth a visit.

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:19:15 pm

Amanda, you must make a visit, soon! xo

Reply
anna@shenANNAgans link
29/9/2014 06:58:47 pm

Think I'd definitely be making my tummy happy at a first stop for brekky before hitting up the book shop. Really love quick getaways like this, we're so lucky in the Berra with everything thats on our doorsteps.

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:19:42 pm

Aren't we ever, Anna! And, yes, it's important to make one's tummy happy on these getaways. : )

Reply
ela@GrayApron link
29/9/2014 08:09:39 pm

Nice postcards! Great getaway...

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:19:51 pm

Ela, thank you!

Reply
InTolerant Chef link
29/9/2014 11:24:18 pm

Lots of cute and quirky- just my style!

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:20:03 pm

Same here Bec, we love the place!

Reply
Hotly Spiced link
30/9/2014 10:01:48 am

I love Berrima and wrote a few posts about the town earlier this year. You have certainly taken some beautiful images of the town and it looks like you had great weather when you were there. I'm heading to the Southern Highlands today so may visit again xx

Reply
Lizzy
30/9/2014 05:20:25 pm

Thanks Charlie... must pop back in and see your posts too! Enjoy your next visit xo

Reply
David link
1/10/2014 04:08:41 am

Gorgeous - wish it were around the corner!

Reply
Lizzy
2/10/2014 10:34:12 pm

Oh David, me too!

Reply

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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