{"id":11602,"date":"2023-05-25T13:53:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T03:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/?p=11602"},"modified":"2024-01-31T10:35:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T00:35:11","slug":"dog-friendly-southern-highlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/dog-friendly-southern-highlands\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog-Friendly Southern Highlands, NSW: Visiting with a Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just over one hour southwest of the centre of Sydney, it\u2019s not long after leaving behind the sprawling suburbs that you\u2019ll arrive at the start of the Southern Highlands region. Home to country estates, historic villages and cool-climate vineyards, it\u2019s perfect for a weekend away from Sydney<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centred around the towns of Bowral and Moss Vale, this NSW<\/a> region offers up plenty of dog-friendly choices, including many accommodation options. In winter time it\u2019s 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…<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dog-Friendly<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in the Southern Highlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Explore the Heritage of Berrima<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My favourite village in all of the Southern Highlands is Berrima<\/a>, and it\u2019s a great spot to visit with you pup. Established in 1831, Berrima is the only largely preserved example of an Australian Georgian colonial town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Berrima
Explore Berrima include the historic Berrima Courthouse<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Old
Surveying the entrance to Old Berrima Gaol<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explore the town on foot along with your pup, follow the Berrima Historic Walk<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Berrima
One of the many heritage listed cottages in Berrima<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

2. Visit Bradman Oval<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 temporarily closed.)<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Bradman
The statue of Don Bradman outside the Bradman Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Bradman
Checking out Bradman Oval<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For devout cricket fans, the 1.7km long Bradman Walk<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Visit a Dog-Friendly Winery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My top pick is Artemis Wine<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Wine
Enjoying a wine tasting at Artemis<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Artemis
Schnitzel checking out the vineyards at Artemis Wines<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

4. Explore an Historic Property<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Southern Highlands is home to two National Trust properties that welcome dogs to join you, although only in the gardens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the edge of Bowral, head to Retford Park<\/a>. Built in the late 19th-century, this Victorian Italianate homestead is surrounded by gorgeous heritage gardens, dotted with sculptures, that are a delight to explore with your pup by your side. The gardens are open year round from Thursday to Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harper’s Mansion<\/a> 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 mansion is surrounded by cool-climate gardens, including one of the largest hedge mazes in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are welcome to join you in the gardens, including in the maze. At both properties, keep your dog on a leash and clean up after them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Browse the Local Shops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dog-Friendly
Shop for vintage bric-a-brac at Sticky Beaks Vintage Emporium<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I’ve also heard reports that Dirty Janes in Bowral, a vintage emporium with over 80 stallholders, and many shops in Moss Vale are dog-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog-Friendly Walks in the Southern Highlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a gentle stroll through Bowral, check out the Cherry Tree Walk<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is best appreciated during August or September, during the blooming of the cherry trees. It’s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Cherry
The Cherry Tree Walk in late Autumn<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Near
Lots of Autumn leaves during May!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For a more wild walk, hike the Box Vale Track<\/a>. The track starts just off Box Vale Road near the Hume Motorway overpass and follows the route of an historic railway line, passing through cuttings, along embarkments and most interestingly through an 84m long tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are allowed on leash on the trail. It’s 4.4km long in each direction, leading to a lookout overlooking Nattai Gorge. Allow about 3 hours for the full walk and pick up a map from the Mittagong Visitors Information Centre or download the fact sheet online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s the option of taking a 1.8km side track to Forty Foot Falls, if you want to further explore. Some recent reports mention the walk is somewhat overgrown in parts, so make sure you wear proper footwear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: As of December 2022, the Box Vale Track has been closed, with no forecast reopening date<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog-Friendly Parks in the Southern Highlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amongst the parks<\/a> 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n