Your Guide To Braidwood, Where History Meets Modern Style

The heritage-listed town of Braidwood is the perfect destination for a weekend away, boasting historic buildings, adventures in nature and fabulous local cuisine and wines.

The Southern Tablelands town of Braidwood is easy to love. At first glance, its spacious, inviting streets and heritage architecture evoke a bygone era, but as you stay a bit longer, you’ll discover that this NSW town is so much more than its beautiful facade. It’s also home to culinary delights (did someone say truffles?), talented artisans and national parks just awaiting exploration.

Braidwood quickly rose to prosperity after the discovery of gold in 1851, funding the town’s grand buildings, but its heritage charms are beautifully balanced with the area’s contemporary art galleries, luxurious B&Bs and chic wineries.

Listed on the NSW State Heritage Register thanks to its preserved Victorian-era architecture, Braidwood is a delight that deserves more than a coffee break on a road trip from Sydney or Canberra. Here’s how to make the most out of a trip to Braidwood, the cool country town that should be on your radar.

Braidwood Hotel exterior — You won’t miss the bright pink Braidwood Hotel. (Image: Adam McGrath)

Getting there

Braidwood is just over a three-hour drive from Sydney and an hour from Canberra, easily accessible from either city. The Southern Tablelands region sits within south-east NSW and is also just a short drive inland from the popular South Coast beach towns of Batemans Bay and Narooma.

Where to eat

Like any respectable Australian country town, Braidwood prides itself on its bakeries, the ideal first stop for a sweet treat after you arrive in town. The Braidwood Bakery , dating back to 1932, is worth any queue – you absolutely can’t beat their chocolate and fresh cream eclair, but the meat pies are also a fan favourite. Artisan bakery Dojo Bread is the best place to stock up on freshly baked German-style bread and bagels.

For a hearty country meal, Braidwood Hotel (you can’t miss it, it’s pink!), offers a roaring fireplace, Sunday roast and a convivial atmosphere. The Bushranger Restaurant within the Royal Mail Hotel is another heritage pub that doesn’t disappoint. Meanwhile, Smokey Horse , a popular Himalayan eatery offering craft beers and live music, has the best curries in town.

artisan bakery, Dojo Bread in Braidwood — Stock up at artisan bakery, Dojo Bread. (Image: Field & Film)

The Southern Tablelands climate and soil also creates ideal conditions for spirits and wine production. Lark Hill Winery , in nearby Bungendore, specialises in biodynamic, cold-climate wines; Agostinis at Lark Hill Winery, their on-site Tuscan eatery, is one of the best spots in the area for a long weekend lunch.

Time your visit with the bi-monthly Braidwood Farmers Market , held on Saturdays, to browse the stalls for delectable treats like local jams, honey and fresh produce. Braidwood is also known for its valuable black truffles, with several truffle farms open to the public for tours.

truffle hunting in Braidwood — Take a truffle farm tour at L’air du Wombat Truffles. (Image: Janine Fabre)

Things to do

Braidwood Museum is the best starting point for learning more about the region. It’s open on Fridays and Saturdays and is packed with historical artefacts tied to the area’s settler, gold rush and even bushranger past (Ned Kelly, starring Mick Jagger and released in 1970, was filmed not in Glenrowan or Beechworth but Braidwood).

As you continue along Wallace Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, there’s plenty of impressive architecture to discover on the Braidwood Heritage Walk , including the Old Post Office (built in late 1864), the Albion Hotel (home to the fabulous Albion Cafe ), the Court House and St Andrew’s Anglican Church.

The town centre is also a delight for antiquing, art galleries and boutique shops, run by passionate artisans. Studio Altenburg , within the heritage Commercial Bank building, has been family-owned since 1978 and has rotating exhibitions, plus an impressive gift shop of local crafts and clothing. The Braidwood Regional Arts Group Gallery is also a great option for affordable art.

Studio Altenburg, Braidwood — Wander the rotating exhibitions at Studio Altenburg. (Image: Destination NSW)

Once you’re ready to explore beyond town, the Southern Tablelands are a treasure for hikers and walkers, with several national parks nearby. Monga National Park , about 20 kilometres from Braidwood, is home to an ancient temperate rainforest and important cultural sites for the Yuin and Walbunja people, the area’s traditional owners. Serious walkers will enjoy the 16-kilometre one-way Corn Trail walking track , an important historic route for both Indigenous peoples and settlers, but it can also be explored on horseback.

Deua, Budawang, Tallaganda and Morton National Parks are also just a short drive from Braidwood, each offering plenty of scenic walks for all skill levels. Morton National Park is home to Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track , with the hike to the top offering some of the state’s most iconic views.

Couple enjoying panoramic views across to Pigeon House Mountain (Aboriginal: Didthul) in Morton National Park. — Take in the view at Pigeon House Mountain. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

You’ll find plenty of welcoming and unique accommodation in Braidwood, whether you want to stay for a night or a week. For luxury and history, The Doncaster is an excellent choice. As the town’s first hotel, dating back to the 1840s, The Doncaster has been a convent, boarding school and even a temporary safe haven during the Second World War. Today it’s an elegantly restored guest house with beautifully landscaped gardens and old-world style.

The Doncaster, Braidwood — Sleep in luxury and history at The Doncaster.

Farm stays and B&Bs are also plentiful throughout the Southern Tablelands. The dog-friendly Braidwood Farm Stay & Cafe is a working farm and offers tiny houses or shared bunks for guests. Enjoy a morning flat white on your balcony as you watch wallabies graze, cool off in the nearby swimming holes at Bombay Reserve, or join in on a horseback ride.

Cedar Lodge , a conveniently located and well-equipped inn, is a stylish and modern take on the traditional roadside motel that’s an ideal base for meandering around town. Meanwhile, Mona Farm ‘s award-winning gardens play host to seven luxurious historic guest houses, providing the perfect romantic getaway surrounded by contemporary art and sculpture.

Mona Farm Homestead, Braidwood — Stay at Mona Farm’s Homestead, one of seven accommodation options.

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

Your guide to Braidwood, where history meets modern style

The heritage-listed town of Braidwood is the perfect destination for a weekend away, boasting historic buildings, adventures in nature and fabulous local cuisine and wines.

Getting there

Where to eat

Things to do

Where to stay

A guide to the Southern Highlands’ best wineries

20 of the best restaurants in Bowral (and beyond)

A guide to 19 of the best shops in Bowral and surrounds

The definitive guide to 20 of the best Bowral cafes

No time to hibernate: experience the best of winter in NSW

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

The Tweed

Blue Mountains

Southern Highlands

Penrith