Wollongong to the Southern Highlands and back to Sydney

Wollongong is a very much under-rated and under- appreciated location for a break, with plenty of things to do and see, including tasting the excellent beers at the Five Island, brewery, Australia’s largest micro brewery. 

Tourism Wollongong also has a really helpful website at http://www.tourismwollongong.com

By the way, for a really nice alternative to the hotel lunch or dinner venue, The Mole suggests a small restaurant called Aegean which is just across the road to the Novotel Northbeach.  With superb ocean views from the terrace, Aegean is owned and run by bother and sister team Ianni (John) and Sophia and they offer some really tasty Greek and Mediterranean inspired food.

In any case, back on the road with the Mole and after a hearty breakfast and a quick walk to the harbour, The Mole headed off and on with the journey.

The challenge in driving west is determining which way to go as there are so many scenic routes to consider!

The Mole decided to wonder down the coastal Princes Highway first as the blow hole at Kiama had always been on the must see list. 

(By the way, we also went west on Macquarie Pass from the coast to Robertson and also really enjoyed that drive, as it winds up the scarp slope – the culinary highlight of that route is the Worlds’ Best Pies at the Robertson Pie Shop – excellent and worth the detour!  More information on http://www.thesouthernhighlands.com.au/directory/dining/bakeries/robertson-pie-shop)

Back to Kiama.  Sadly, the headland on which the blow hole is located has become very commercialised and practically encased in roads and footpaths, totally negating and spoiling what should be one of natures, great experiences.  The Mole found that very sad and to make it even less acceptable, the blow hole was surrounded by plastic bags, bottles and cans!

To make matters even worse, it appears that the Council has approved the installation of a complex of cabins right on the headland – hard to imagine the logic and environmental decision making behind that one. 

So, Kiama was very disappointing and the town also looked tired and tacky, so onward speedily! 

Thankfully, the charming villages of Geringong and Gerroa saved the day with their charming coffee shops and cafes and excellent beach and ocean views.

The beautiful Seven Mile Beach National Park just south of Gerroa also reminded The Mole why National Parks are the very best organisations to look after places of natural beauty and significance – if only National Parks had responsibility for looking after the blow hole at Kiama!

Cutting inland and back to the Princes Highway took us to Berry, the tourism mecca, but one that has managed very successfully to keep its charm and magic, most certainly well worth a stop to wonder around the shops and enjoy a stunning ice cream!

The Berry Mountain Road sounded a good drive and it was, with great switchback corners and stunning country and highland views.  Make a point of stopping at Cambewarra Lookout before arriving in Beaumont, because the view down to the coast is absolutely stunning and amazing, although The Mole thinks that this site should also be run by the National Parks and not the Council, although I suspect the National Parks would not want to run it because of the massive antennae tower on the top of the hill!

Watch the junction with Moss Vale Road though, it is not the best!

Kangaroo Valley beckoned with its extremely pleasant country and agricultural scenery, but the must see location has to be Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, a pristine National Park location with amazing waterfalls cascading off the scarp and stunning views – there is also a very good interpretative centre – further information can be obtained from http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/parkContent/N0022?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0022&Type=xo

Moss Vale and our accommodation for the evening was beckoning, but before settling in for the night, we had to try some of the regions excellent wines. 

A recommendation led us to Southern Highlands Wines Cellar Door just north of Moss Vale and although it is very new and the landscaping needs to mature, the wines are great and the welcome excellent.  Make sure you have chat with Katie White, whose photograph is in this article and someone who really knows her wines – more information from http://www.southernhighlandwines.com 

Having spent the previous night in the very modern Novotel Northbeach, it was an amazing contrast to pull up outside The Dormie House, accurately described as gracious accommodation on the golf course at Moss Vale.

Dormie House was built in the early 1930’s and entering the building feels like being taken back in time to those graceful days of style and enjoyment of facilities just like this.

Dormie House has undergone extensive refurbishment, but has still managed to keep its period charm and while some of the bedrooms are not huge, they are very well equipped.  The quality of the staff is excellent, all working hard to satisfy and the food, good quality wholesome and generous.

Perched right on the edge of the Moss Vale golf course with its rows of pines, elms and very picturesque fairways, Dormie House may give the impression of being golf dominated, but that is not the case as non golfers are just as welcome.

The Mole really enjoyed Dormie House, a really great location for a very relaxing country break.

Further information cam be obtained on The Dormie House web site www.dormiehouse.com.au

All good things must come to an end and with the city and work beckoning, it was time to turn the car northwards to Bowral and Mittagong for a quick stop, before the speedy freeway drive direct to Sydney.

What impressed The Mole about this area, was its proximity to Sydney, yet its absolute contrast to areas closer to Sydney.  Its combination of stunning drives, amazing coastline, winding mountain passes, rolling countryside, great things to do, great places to stay, great wines to drink, excellent food to eat and its all encompassing laid back relaxing feel, make it a must visit region.

More information can be obtained from: – http://www.highlandsnsw.com.au

Report from The Mole on the road