Best Things To Do In Moss Vale, Southern Highlands

Moss Vale is a charming country town layered with a collection of seriously stylish stores, cafes and eateries that makes for an alluring day-trip destination or long-weekend escape.

There are so many wonderful things to do in Moss Vale that I like to plug each place into my SatNav and plan a detailed itinerary. Getting to Moss Vale from Sydney is a breeze: it’s just a 90-minute drive away or two hours by train to its heritage station. The town of Moss Vale, located on the Traditional Lands of the Gundungurra and Tharawal peoples, was established in 1819. More than 200 years on, the village is firmly established as a destination for a short break.

Here are 10 of the best things to do in Moss Vale in NSW’s Southern Highlands.

In short

If you do only one thing in Moss Vale, make it dining at The What If Society. The guiding principle here is one of sustainability, with community at its heart. It’s enough to make you want to ditch your big city life and move to Moss Vale.

Pick up some provisions for a picnic

The best things to do in Moss Vale will always include food. The Exchange is the sister store to The What If Society just a short doddle down Hoddle St. And the question at the providore remains the same as the cafe: what if we cared a bit more about what we eat and where it comes from and committed to businesses that are doing the right thing? The What If Society is a cornerstone of the local community. Check the Instagram page to schedule a return visit to attend pop-ups such as Fields or Supper Club.

Shop the high street

bed furniture at Suzie Anderson, Moss Vale — Freshen up your home with elegant furniture from Suzie Anderson. (Image: Abbie Melle)

Joining the dots between shops is one of the best things to do in Moss Vale. Suzie Anderson has two stores in Moss Vale: her flagship store fitted out with elegant furniture, linens, coffee table books and chic knick-knacks; and the handsome, more rugged lad-leaning store housed in The Old Bank Atelier. Suzie’s impeccable aesthetic is also evident at her Bowral store inside Dirty Janes. Visit the emporium for European antiques, French Provençal decor and homewares. You can also hunt for homewares and gifts at Hunter & Gatherer Collections , Mossy Store , Bowerbird on Argyle , Nest & Burrow , and Made By Others .

Dine at The What If Society

Searching for the best thing to do in Moss Vale? I’ve called it: it’s dining at The What If Society . Head chef Eilish Maloney is at the helm at the rustic-chic eatery, which doubles as a community hub. Today, there’s an artistic couple; one with an Elvis quiff; the other wearing vintage glasses. And a group of bros hoofing down cheeseburgers. You can Trust the Chef with a set menu or order a righteous special such as the pork schnitzel with vodka sauce and cabbage salad. This zero-waste operation is also a co-operative and cooking school.

Have coffee and cake at Highlands Merchant

The laid-back town of Moss Vale is also home to the Highlands Merchant , which is aimed at lovers of good coffee and good food. If uncovering the best things to do in Moss Vale is your goal, then you’ll want to include coffee and cake at this cutesy cafe painted duck-egg blue; it’s always buzzing with stylish locals and out-of-towners who are drawn here for the delicious homemade treats such as cakes, cookies and slices. There’s also a rotating menu of fresh salads. Grab a table under the stripey awning outside and watch the world go by at a meander.

Go for a bike ride in the Southern Highlands

the town of Bundanoon, Southern Highlands from above — Follow the scenic route to the nearby Bundanoon and other Southern Highlands towns from Moss Vale. (Image: Destination NSW)

One of the best ways to explore Bowral, Moss Vale and beyond is on two wheels: head to The Fixed Wheel to hire a bike and tackle the loop that connects Moss Vale, Sutton Forest, Berrima and Bowral. Follow Highlands Trails on Facebook to stay across what mountain-biking tracks are open. The single-track trail that slices through Wingello State Forest is one of the most popular. Have kids in tow? Bounce along Bong Bong Common from Moss Vale to Burradoo.

Walk along the river

the Wingecarribee River, Kangaloon — The Berrima River Walk traces the Wingecarribee River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Moss Vale is on the Traditional Lands of the Gundungurra and Tharawal peoples and part of Wingecarribee Shire, named after the river that rushes through it. Close all your rings on your Apple watch with a walk around Stone Quarry, one of the musts on a list of the best things to do in Moss Vale. Go a bit beyond Moss Vale to find the Berrima River Walk, which traces the Wingecarribee River as it squiggles past old World War 2 encampments and relics that are being reclaimed by the bushland all around.

Enjoy a local brew

the al fresco beer garden at Southern Highlands Brewing, Moss Vale — Sip on refreshing ales at Southern Highlands Brewing.

Cameron ‘Camo’ James and Ben Twomey launched Southern Highlands Brewing in 2015 after forming a connection based on a shared love of rugby and beer. The local brew bros are now part of a wider group which includes five other local breweries. Over summer, we recommend the Australian Blonde Ale, while in winter, the gold medal-winning porter is perfection. The brews are on tap at many of the pubs dotted around the Southern Highlands. Or you can pick up a sixpack from a local bottl-o.

Visit a local winery

resident ducks at Mount Ashby Estate, Moss Vale — Resident geese at Mount Ashby Estate. (Image: Kramer Photography)

The French country idyll comes alive at Mount Ashby Estate when a gaggle of geese waddle across the grounds as if on cue. In winter, enjoy a tasting at the cellar door followed by lunch around a roaring fire in Sant’ Alba. In summer, a table on the terrace at Mount Ashby Estate is the place to be, sun on your neck, glass of Petit Rouge Rose in hand. Stay tuned for Mount Ashby Estate 2.0, which will include tiny homes for the ultimate getaway. The relocated 1918 Bowral Produce Store is now an events space for everything from intimate occasions to big, fat country weddings.

Stay in a cosy cabin

the Hideout cabin set on a beautiful dam of a working horse farm — Get the reset you need in an idyllic farm setting.

You will understand why Moss Vale is such a popular destination for a short break with a weekend away holed up in Hideout . Voted as a finalist in Airbnb’s Best Nature Stays category, the 56-hectare property is a working farm and horse stud with stays coordinated around its 80 resident animals. The cosy couples-sized cabins come with all the prerequisites for a gracious stay, such as sumptuous bed linen, under-floor heating, Egyptian cotton towels and wine sourced from the neighbouring Mount Ashby Estate.

Retreat to Moss Manor

a suite with a private tub at Moss Manor — Soak in pure indulgence at Moss Manor. (Image: Tom Ferguson)

There’s a worn path leading from Moss Manor to the local real estate agent’s offices in Moss Vale. The boutique accommodation is so charming my husband and I started dreaming of a tree change. Stay in a Violet Garden room, which mirrors the landscaped surrounds filled with flowers and looks like a vignette torn from the pages of Vogue Living. Here, in the highlands hamlet of Moss Vale, a two-storey terrace is considered a high rise, and the pace of life in wonderfully languid.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

A comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Moss Vale