Sydney Off-the-Beaten-Path | Berrima Town
A 90-minute drive southwest from Sydney brings you into the quiet valleys of the Southern Highlands. Unlike the bustling, trending coastal towns, Berrima offers a completely different experience. Because new highways bypassed it in earlier years, time in the entire town seems to have stood still in the 1830s, and it's widely recognized as Australia's best-preserved Georgian colonial-style village.
There are no noisy tourist markets; the entire town is built from pale yellow sandstone old houses. With thick stone walls, vintage wooden windows, and neatly trimmed gardens in front of the doors, walking through the streets, every corner is imbued with a nostalgic atmosphere, perfect for a slow, relaxing day.
The town isn't large, but the most worthwhile spots for visitors to check out, which everyone comes here for, each have a rich history:
Berrima Courthouse | The Town's First Landmark
Almost everyone who visits Berrima makes this old courthouse their first stop for photos. Completed in 1838, it was entirely built from sandstone quarried by convicts, chisel by chisel. It features a classic Regency architectural style, with four massive Doric columns on its facade, and the pale beige stone walls have a rich texture in the sunlight, making any outdoor shot a vintage masterpiece. This isn't just a beautiful old house; it was a very important court in early Australian history, where many notorious bushrangers were tried. Inside, you can visit the original courtroom and experience a sound and light show that recreates 19th-century court scenes using actual trial records from that era, offering an immersive experience of colonial history. If you're lucky, you can even book a nighttime ghost tour. History buffs should not miss this.
Harper's Mansion + Super Tall Hedge Maze | The Ultimate Photo Op
Just a few minutes' drive from the town center, this is a Georgian red-brick mansion protected by the National Trust, and one of Berrima's most popular photo spots. The two-story vintage red-brick building sits quietly amidst extensive gardens. The house replicates the original domestic furnishings of 1835, with furniture and room layouts all restored to reflect the life of wealthy people two centuries ago; stepping inside feels like opening a Jane Austen novel.
The most famous feature of the mansion is its rare, large hedge maze! Dense shrubs over 3 meters tall form a 350-meter-long maze path, with many visitors specifically coming here to tackle it. The large English garden is filled with old-fashioned roses and various horticultural plants, and the lawn is expansive and clean. Taking photos on the mansion's lawn, at the maze entrance, or in front of the red-brick house perfectly captures the pastoral vintage atmosphere.
Note: The mansion is only open on weekends and public holidays; it's closed on weekdays, so be sure to check before you go. You can purchase a separate ticket just for the garden and maze.
Surveyor-General Inn | Australia's Oldest Continuously Operating Pub
A hidden gem on the town's main street, opened in 1834, it is Australia's longest continuously licensed pub, operating for almost 200 years now. Also built by convicts from sandstone, its exterior walls are rustic and imposing, with an old-fashioned wooden verandah. Inside, the pub retains vintage fireplaces, old photographs, and historical artifacts from the era, with old "wanted" posters for bushrangers still visible on the walls.
On sunny days, you can sit in the outdoor beer garden and soak up the sun. When it's cold, cozy up by the fireplace and order classic Australian pork chops or schnitzel for an authentic country meal in a two-century-old pub. It's more than just a place to eat; almost every travelogue about Berrima lists this百年酒馆 as a must-visit landmark.
Berrima Gaol | Ancient Old Prison
Not far from the old courthouse, its thick sandstone walls are very distinctive, and it is also one of Australia's oldest surviving prisons.
Initially used to hold convicts, during World War I, it also imprisoned German prisoners of war. The tall, enclosed stone walls exude a strong sense of historical oppression, and most visitors take photos outside the walls. The interior of the prison has limited opening hours; if you don't book in advance, simply viewing the exterior architecture can still convey a sense of its heavy history.
Wingecarribee River Riverside Walk | Try Your Luck Spotting a Platypus
After exploring the town's architecture, you can take a leisurely stroll along the gentle Wingecarribee River path; the entire path is flat and easy to walk. The river is clear and peaceful, with tall eucalyptus trees on both banks providing ample shade. This is a very famous spot in the Southern Highlands for observing wild platypuses!
However, platypuses are very shy, only surfacing in the early morning or at dusk. If you wait quietly, with a bit of luck, you might see a platypus swimming in the water. Even if you don't encounter any small animals, a slow walk along the riverbanks, enjoying the cool valley breeze, is a very pleasant experience.
Slow Stroll on the Main Street | Vintage Shops and Afternoon Tea
The town's main street isn't long, with many local shops scattered along it.
There's the famous Berkelouw Book Barn, filled with vintage old books; also a cupcake specialty shop and handmade home goods stores. When you get tired, just find a cafe, order some freshly baked scones and pies, and slowly pass the time under the gentle Southern Highlands sun. There are no chain stores here, only small shops run by locals, offering a quiet and healing slice of life.
TIPS :
① It's about a 90-minute drive from Sydney, perfect for a day trip to the Southern Highlands, and can be combined with a private car tour that includes the town of Bowral.
② Harper's Mansion is closed on weekdays; both the old courthouse and the mansion have entrance fees, so check their official websites for opening hours before you go.
③ Temperatures in the valley can be 3-5 degrees Celsius lower than in Sydney city, so even in summer, it's advisable to bring a light jacket.
④ The overall pace of the town is slow, so there's no need to rush. Allow 4-6 hours to comfortably visit all the attractions.
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