Garry, Sue & Kate cycled the new Southern Highlands Self Guided Bike Tour in late 2020. As you'll see in their great photos from their cycling adventure, they enjoyed fantastic blue sky weather during their 6 day trip around the Southern Highlands where they got to visit charming towns such as Berrima, Bowral, Roberston and Bundanoon Village. In this article, you can see what it's like to explore the Southern Highlands by bike.

 

On arrival in Bundanoon, make your way to your starting hotel. Check-in is generally from 2pm but if you are arriving earlier you may be able to leave your bags - please contact us for reception opening times. You will meet with our representative who will do a handover of the bikes. This afternoon, a great warm up cycle to Morton National Park. Pedal down to the park and explore the tracks on foot with walks ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hour return loops. Viewpoints are in abundance, with the most famous being the panorama that awaits at Echo Point. Return to your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 2: Cycle to Berrima via vineyards and Moss Vale

There is much variety in the cycle today. From Bundanoon you head along a beautiful route that follows a quiet country road all the way to Exeter where you can stop for a coffee. Continuing alongside the railway you cut right through the centre of Moss Vale. For shopping enthusiasts, there are great options for homewares and fashion. Leaving Moss Vale you detour off the road and along the Bong Bong cycleway to Burradoo. This shared path is mostly flat and takes you beside the Wingecarribee River where waterbirds can be spotted. From Burradoo to Bowral, you pass by grand estates and houses and along leafy streets. Out of Bowral the route takes you to the Centennial Vineyard which is worth a stop at the cellar door. Another great stop is at the Berkelouw Book Barn at the Bendooley Estate, with its fabulous selection of new and old books and cafe plus wine cellar. Not too far beyond is the historic village of Berrima where your overnight accommodation is located. After check-in, discover the village on the self-guided Berrima Heritage Walk which takes in the sandstone Berrima Courthouse and one of Australia’s oldest licensed pubs, the Surveyor General Inn where you can stop in for a drink. Another great walk is the Berrima River Walk on the lands of the Gundungurra people. The walk is signposted with interesting history and takes about 1 hour to complete (1.8km).

Day 3: Cycle to Bowral, home of the Bradman Museum

The cycle route today follows a quiet road past hobby farms and grazing land. A decent hill awaits followed by a wonderful panorama of the Southern Highlands from the western perspective. Enroute to Mittagong, stop by the Artemis vineyard cellar door for wine tastings and in good weather, wood fired pizza for lunch (reservations recommended). A stop at the Southern Highlands Visitor Centre is an option as you pass through Mittagong, while art lovers may want to visit the Sturt Gallery. A long winding ascent takes you to the Bowral lookout where there is a expansive view of the highlands looking south. A final descent takes you to the wonderful town of Bowral with its gentrified country atmosphere. The town was home to Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's most famous cricketer, and the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame are located here.

Day 4: Cycle to Robertson, with an optional loop of Burrawang Village

This is country cycling at its best with sweeping countryside vistas and rolling hills. The route takes you past farms and country estates, along tree lined avenues and into the town of Robertson, known for its famous pie shop, cheese shop and location of the film Babe. The town is perched above Macquarie Pass and the Illawarra Escarpment, and has a unique charm. An afternoon optional cycle to Burrawang Village with its pretty shopfronts and lunch in the garden at the pub is well worth the extra effort. (19km, +181m, -181m) Overnight Robertson.

Day 5: Visit Fitzroy Falls, en route to Bundanoon

A superb day of cycling today which encompasses two of the great waterfalls of the region, country laneways and completion of the circuit at Bundanoon. The route starts with a downhill run all the way to the Belmore Falls carpark. Here you can park your bike and walk the short distance to the viewing platform. Returning to your bike you continue along a forest road to the top of the falls before a long uphill stretch. The next stop is Fitzroy Falls where there are a number of walks taking you to various viewing platforms. The visitors centre has a cafe and its a great place to have a picnic lunch. The rest of the route to Bundanoon is classic Highlands scenery and passes through the quaint hamlet of Exeter, before you roll into the last stop Bundanoon.

Day 6: Check out in Bundanoon

The trip concludes in Bundanoon once you check out of your hotel.

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>> Would you like to experience the Southern Highlands Cycle tour? Take a look at the trip page or give our friendly team a call on 1300 114 966. 

 

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