Dog-Friendly Southern Highlands, NSW: Visiting with a Dog

Just over one hour southwest of the centre of Sydney, it’s not long after leaving behind the sprawling suburbs that you’ll arrive at the start of the Southern Highlands region. Home to country estates, historic villages and cool-climate vineyards, it’s perfect for a weekend away from Sydney.

Centred around the towns of Bowral and Moss Vale, this NSW region offers up plenty of dog-friendly choices, including many accommodation options. In winter time it’s tempting to just curl up next to a roaring fire, with a dusting of snow possible on the coldest days. But that’s not the only option for a dog-friendly getaway to the Southern Highlands…

Dog-Friendly Southern Highlands

Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in the Southern Highlands

Whether visiting the Southern Highlands for just the day or a long weekend, fill your days with some of these dog-friendly things to do.

#1 Explore Berrima’s Heritage

My favourite village in all of the Southern Highlands is Berrima, and it’s a great spot to visit with you pup. Established in 1831, Berrima is the only largely preserved example of an Australian Georgian colonial town.

Two of the most significant buildings are the Berrima Court House and Old Berrima Gaol, both built in the 1830s. The surviving Surveyor General Inn, a dog-friendly pub, also dates to the same decade.

Berrima Courthouse
Explore Berrima include the historic Berrima Courthouse
Old Berrima Gaol with Dog
Surveying the entrance to Old Berrima Gaol

Due to the railway line bypassing the town, there were no new buildings built in the town for decades, and its historic buildings have been largely retained. These days the the village as a whole is listed on the Register of the National Estate, with many individual buildings heritage listed.

To explore the town on foot along with your pup, follow the Berrima Historic Walk, commencing at the Berrima District Museum. You can buy the map for a small fee at the museum or download it online. Follow the route to find out more about over 30 historical sites around Berrima.

Berrima Historic Cottages
One of the many heritage listed cottages in Berrima

#2 Walk Along the Wingecarribee River

In addition to the Berrima Historic Walk, Berrima is also home to another popular dog-friendly walk, the Berrima River Walk.

This walk starts at the Berrima Reserve at the end of Oxley Street and follows the Wingecarribee River. There are signs along the way about the constructions by the Germans interned in the area during World War I. It’s also possible to download a brochure about the walk from the above site.

The walk is 1.8km long in each direction and relatively flat. Allow about an hour return for the walk. I’ve heard reports that dogs are allowed off-leash along part of the track – follow the signs. It’s also a great spot for a paddle during the summer.

#3 Follow in Bradman’s Footsteps

One of the region’s most famous sons is Sir Donald Bradman, the legendary Australian cricketeer with an average of just under 100 runs. He grew up in the town of Bowral, and these days the local cricket oval, where he played many times in the 1920s and his ashes were scattered after his death, has been renamed after him.

While the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame on site aren’t open to four-legged visitors, don’t miss checking out the statue of Don Bradman located outside it or taking a walk around Bradman Oval with your pup on a leash. (The cafe onsite perviously allowed dogs in its large outdoor area, but it is currently closed.)

Bradman Museum with Dog
The statue of Don Bradman outside the Bradman Museum
Bradman Oval with Dog
Checking out Bradman Oval

For devout cricket fans, the 1.7km long Bradman Walk starts from the museum, visiting a variety of sites associated with Bradman, including his childhood home only a few blocks away. Your pup is welcome to join you on a leash.

#4 Visit a Dog-Friendly Winery

The Southern Highlands is a small but premier cool-climate wine growing region, and many of the cellar doors dotted around the area are dog-friendly.

My top pick is Artemis Wine, who made myself and my pup feel very welcome. Dogs aren’t allowed inside, but in outdoor areas on a leash. Make a booking for a tasting outside the cellar door, and the staff will regularly pop outside to pour you a tasting.

Wine Tasting with Dog
Enjoying a wine tasting at Artemis

A small charge applies for tastings, which isn’t just limited to wines. The vineyard also has a distillery onsite, producing a range of spirits, including gin, Eau De Vie, brandy, whisky and Chinese-style Baijiu spirits. The spirits are also available to taste.

If you’d like to stay longer, book a spot on the lawn overlooking the vineyard, with cheese and charcuterie platters available to purchase from Monday to Friday, as well as wood-fired pizzas on the weekend.

Artemis Wines with Schnitzel
Schnitzel checking out the vineyards at Artemis Wines

Another excellent winery in the Southern Highlands region is Centennial Vineyards. Located just outside of Bowral, the cellar door is open daily for paid guided wine tastings. Bookings are recommended.

The cellar door is pet-friendly, and I’ve even heard from recent visitors that pets are allowed inside the cellar door area, plus the large outdoor area (with blankets supplied for the humans).

#5 Explore an Historic Property

The Southern Highlands is home to two National Trust properties that welcome dogs to join you, although only in the gardens.

On the edge of Bowral, head to Retford Park. Built in the late 19th-century, this Victorian Italianate homestead is surrounded by gorgeous heritage gardens, dotted with sculptures. Prior to being handed over to the National Trust, the property was owned by James Fairfax AC, an avid lover of dogs, so it’s no wonder the gardens are dog-friendly.

Retford Park
The grand Retford Park is surrounded by gardens
Retford Park dog statue
Dog statue at Retford Park

The gardens of Retford Park are open year round from Thursday to Sunday. I visited the gardens during early Spring in September, but there are different flowers blooming year round. The pool house built in the 1960s is surprisingly modern, while the expansive lawns are great for walks and perhaps a picnic with your pup.

Retford House Pool House
The Retford Park pool house

Harper’s Mansion is located in Berrima and is open on weekends between 11am and 3pm. Built in the 1830s like many of Berrima’s other historical buildings, the modest “mansion” is surrounded by cool-climate gardens, including one of the largest hedge mazes in Australia. Dogs are welcome to join you in the gardens, including in the maze.

At both Retford Park and Harper’s Mansion, make sure you keep your dog on a leash at all times and clean up after them. Plus note that dogs are not allowed inside on the tours.

#6 Browse the Local Shops

The Southern Highlands is a great shopping destination, especially for antiques and homewares. It’s still possible to fit in some shopping on a visit with your pup. In Berrima, Sticky Beaks Vintage Emporium on Jellore Street has a large sign out the front welcoming dogs.

Dog-Friendly Shops Berrima
Shop for vintage bric-a-brac at Sticky Beaks Vintage Emporium

In the centre of Bowral, head to Dirty Janes. This vintage emporium with over 80 stallholders is a delight to explore, and also dog-friendly. I’ve also heard reports that many shops in Moss Vale are dog-friendly – just always ask at the door.

Dirty Janes Bowral
Browse through Dirty Janes in Bowral with your dog

#7 Follow the Cherry Tree Walk

There are plenty of dog-friendly walks on the Southern Highlands. A great option that is just a gentle stroll is the Cherry Tree Walk in Bowral.

Over 500 cherry trees have been planted as part of a Vietnam War Memorial along the Mittagong Rivulet. The cherry tress stretch for just over 1km from the Bowral Swimming Centre to Boolwey Street, close to Bradman Oval, but you can continue further along the walking path.

Cherry Tree Walk Spring
Blossoms along the Cherry Tree Walk in September

The walk is best appreciated during August or September, during the blooming of the cherry trees. The exact time of blossoming may vary from year to year, but many blossoms were flowering all over Bowral when I recently visited in mid-September.

The walk is also great during the Autumn months when the leaves turn colour. There’s plenty of parking available at the Bowral Swimming Centre, or walk from the centre of Bowral. Just remember to keep your dog on a leash.

Cherry Tree Walk with Dog
The Cherry Tree Walk in late Autumn

#8 Sniff the Tulips at Tulip Time

In recent years, there hasn’t been a Dogs Day Out at Tulip Time, the yearly celebrations of tulips that takes part each year in Bowral’s Corbett Gardens. And unfortunately, dogs are generally prohibited from the popular festival.

However, in 2024, the Dogs Day Out will be returning, on Monday 30th September, the final day of the festival. Buy a ticket for yourself and bring along your pup. Just keep them leashed and clean up after them. And hopefully the day returns in 2025!

Tulip Time Dogs Day Out
A Dogs Day Out will be held in 2024

During the rest of the year, dogs are allowed in Corbett Park, on a leash. And there are still some small plantings of tulips around the rest of Bowral that you can spot with your pup in September, although I was more taken by the blossom trees on my recent visit.

Dog-Friendly Parks in the Southern Highlands

Amongst the many parks in the Southern Highlands region are four off-leash dog parks, roughly one for each of the larger towns. The off-leash areas are located at:

  • The western end of Alexandra Square, in Mittagong
  • A central section of Centennial Park, in Bowral
  • The southeast corner of Seymour Park, in Moss Vale (including a Stick Library!)
  • Jordan’s Crossing, just north of Bindar Crescent, in Bundanoon
Centennial Park Dog Park
The fenced off-leash dog park at Centennial Park, Bowral

Each of the off-leash exercise areas are fenced, except for Jordan’s Crossing, although there are plans for a fenced dog park to be built at this spot. Check out the signs at each park indicating the rules for usage, including to keep your pet under effective control.

Dog-Friendly Cafes in the Southern Highlands

The most dog-friendly cafe in the region is RAW & WILD Market & Cafe in Bowral. As well as dogs being welcome in the outdoor dining area, they also have their own menu. In the past it has included Doggie Organic Beef Pasta, plus ask about Dogacinos.

The cafe can also provide mats and water bowls for your pooch. Enter the outdoor dining area directly from the carpark at the rear of the cafe. If making a booking online, tick the box that you are bringing a dog.

Raw & Wild Market & Cafe
RAW & WILD Market & Cafe in Bowral

Elsewhere in Bowral, dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables at Harry’s on Green Lane, one of the charming cafes located along Green Lane just outside Dirty Jane’s. Open daily for lunch and on Friday and Saturday evening for dinner, bookings are essential – just select to sit outside.

Harrys on Green Lane
The outside dining area at Harry’s

At Bendooley Estate outside of Berrima, dogs are welcome to join you on the outdoor terrace of the Book Barn Restaurant. Just make sure you keep your dog leashed and outside of the buildings. Also note that the area is weather dependant.

A popular patisserie (and pie shop) on the Southern Highlands is the Gumnut Patisserie, with stores in Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong. At the Bowral store, there’s a hook to tie up your dog while you pop inside, plus tables outside. Or head to the quieter Berrima branch.

Tart from Gumnut Patisserie
Raspberry tartlet from Gumnut Patisserie

Alternatively, continue driving south to the long-running Robertson Pie Shop. The shop has a huge range of sweet and savoury pies, in small and large sizes, available for takeaway.

Dog-Friendly Pubs on the Southern Highlands

If it’s a cosy dog-friendly pub you’re after, head to the Surveyor General Inn in Berrima. At this historic pub dating back to 1834, Australia’s oldest continuously licensed inn, dogs are allowed in the front bar, to relax with you next to the fire. It’s best to book a table on weekends.

Surveyor General Inn
The exterior of the Surveyor General Inn

Dogs are also welcome at the Burrawang Village Hotel. Dogs are allowed on a lead anywhere in the garden and outdoor areas. Bookings are also advised on weekends.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in the Southern Highlands

There’s plenty of pet-friendly places to stay at in the Southern Highlands. Many of the local cottages available for holiday stays welcome pets, or alternatively there are some pet-friendly inns.

Dog-friendly Southern Highlands
Stay in a pet-friendly cottage on the Southern Highlands

A great option is the highly-rated Bundanoon Lodge, a luxury bed and breakfast. It’s best to book directly with the lodge, so that there is no additional charge for your dog. There’s also only a handful of pet-friendly rooms and dogs are not permitted without prior arrangement. Up to two small dogs or one large dog is permitted per room. For more details, see their regulations.

Alternatively, consider Links House in Bowral, a small hotel that was built in 1928 and aims to capture the charm of that era. Small pets are welcome to stay with you – call to discuss the options available. A full a la carte breakfast is included with all stays in the onsite restaurant.

If you have your own caravan, both the Mittagong Caravan Park and Moss Vale Village Caravan Park are pet-friendly, but only on sites. There are also a small number of sites to book at the Moss Vale Showground, or try and book one of the four sites at Berrima River Reserve. A fee of $18 applies per night, with a maximum stay of two nights. Facilities are basic but it’s beautifully located in historic Berrima.

For a stay out in the bush, head to Wollondilly River Station. The farm is located down Wombeyan Caves Road, 50km west of Berrima. (Note that about 45 minutes of the drive is along a windy and bumpy dirt road, with a 4WD recommended after the floods of recent years.)

All pets are welcome, and previous guests have loved that dogs are allowed off-leash, plus the beautiful spread-out campsites. The nightly rate for adults is $20, while pets stay for free.

You May Also Like

About the Author

Photo of Shandos & Schnitzel

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

Inspired? Pin this to your Pinterest board!

Southern Highlands Dog-Friendly Travel

14 thoughts on “Dog-Friendly Southern Highlands, NSW: Visiting with a Dog”

  1. Just a pupdate, went to book a wine tasting at Jodja Winery and their website now says they no longer allow pets. Such a shame when places default to being non dog friendly. Oh well, guess we’ll spend our money elsewhere! Lucky we found out in advance.

    Reply
  2. The Eden Brewery in Mittagong (just minutes outside of Bowral) is also dog-friendly outside and has a number of picnic tables, amazing burgers, and deep fried pickles and beer!

    Reply
  3. Hi
    We had lunch outside at Harry’s On Green Lane in Bowral and they were happy for us to have our dog. Bought him water without us asking. 💛

    Reply

Leave a Comment