Go bakery hopping in the Southern Highlands
Whether you're a fan of antiquing, slogging through kilometres of scribbly bushland or tearing into flaky croissants, it's never a bad idea to head to the Highlands. This charming region, under a two-hour drive from Canberra, is a foodies paradise full of old-school pubs, little laneway cafés and upmarket restaurants. But, it’s the bakeries that are worth travelling for. With locations in Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong, the award-winning Gumnut Patisserie should definitely be top of the list. You won't regret lining up for their warm sausage rolls, golden croissants and finger lime meringue tartlets, which have drawn locals and visitors to the bakery for almost 30 years. Top tip: the queues are always quieter at Gumnut’s Berrima bakery, and you can walk right across the road to Baked in Berrima for fresh focaccia sandwiches and sugary apple turnovers. It’s also worth dropping into Robertson for a rich pepper steak pie at Southern Rise Bakery, followed by a bright yellow custard tart at the famous Robertson Pie Shop.