Wine tasting, cheese platters, green hills, antique markets....tick, tick, tick and tick. Getting out of Canberra is always top of my list for the weekend, regularly heading coastal to get my ocean fix but with a family birthday to celebrate, I found myself somewhere on the other side of the mountains in a place I have never been before - Bowral. Offering all of my favourite things and only a couple of hours out of Canberra, I am not sure why I have waited so long to explore this pocket of the Southern Highlands. A little time out was exactly what I needed and Bowral did not disappoint, it was peaceful, green, quiet and refreshing - all things good for the soul.
I stayed in a beautiful country house, Lauretana, which was charming and elegant, surrounded by immaculate gardens and tucked away at the end of a long driveway. It felt like a luxurious home away from home.
The rainy winter weather was the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of wine tasting at Centennial Winery. Usually a white wine drinker, I was surprised that the reds won the day and I picked up a bottle of Temprenillo. After this I went to another, smaller winery and ate way too much cheese but it was worth every tight-jeans-the-next-day bite. I had never tried Mead before and I discovered it is like cider (my go-to drink) only more gentle and mellow. Definitely adding Mead to my list in the future.
The following day I went for a walk and discovered the true beauty of Bowral - wide streets, gated homes with divine gardens and perfect hedges, friendly locals and an absolute stillness that only exists in the country. It felt so good to slow down and just be.
Sunday breakfast was at the Milk Factory Art Gallery and following this I discovered Bowral has it's own world class Wonderland (in my op-shopping adoring eyes anyway) aka Dirty Janes Antique Markets. I was in heaven. Score of the day was a pair of feathered peep toe Manolo Blahnik's I picked up from one of the markets.
All in all it was a beautiful weekend. I am already thinking about which Winery to check out on my next stay and what vintage score might be waiting for me when I return...Bowral, you were worth every minute!