Southern Highlands Private Tour with Wine, Waterfall and Garden

The best thing about this private Southern Highlands tour is its mix of country scenery and very different stops. In one day, you get rolling green hills, a rainforest waterfall, a carefully tended garden, an old sandstone village, and cool-climate wine.

I like the private format because your group gets direct attention from the guide, and I like that wine tasting fees and return hotel transfers are already covered. The main consideration is the price, $523.59 per person, plus the fact that food is not included.

Key points at a glance

• Five distinct stops: Bowral, Fitzroy Falls, Red Cow Farm, Berrima, and Bendooley Estate give the day plenty of variety.
• A genuinely private outing: Only your group participates, with an expert guide providing commentary along the way.
• A short but scenic waterfall walk: Fitzroy Falls offers a quick route to a lookout over rainforest and the falls.
• A special garden visit: Red Cow Farm covers 2.5 hectares and includes a walled sanctuary, monastery garden, and abbess’s garden.
• Central Sydney convenience: Pickup and drop-off at central Sydney hotels are included, with an 8:00 am start.
• Good for limited time: The full-day schedule covers places that would be difficult to arrange efficiently on your own.

Why the Southern Highlands makes a good Sydney escape

Sydney is full of major sights, but it can be refreshing to trade city streets for open hills and small historic towns. The Southern Highlands brings a gentler pace, with old villages, gardens, farmland, and wine country spread across a full day out.

This is not one single-attraction excursion. It is a sampler of the region, and that is its main strength. You move from Bowral’s local character to Fitzroy Falls, then to Red Cow Farm, Berrima, and a winery. The variety keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

The private setup matters here. A 10-hour trip involves plenty of driving, and your guide can give context between stops rather than leaving you to manage maps, parking, timing, and directions. Glenn, one of the named guides, is described as a local to the area and is associated with knowing the best places to visit. The available feedback also highlights his enthusiasm, entertaining manner, and strong area knowledge.

Bowral begins the day with country charm

Bowral is your first stop, with about an hour to relax and get a feel for the Southern Highlands. The town is known for old-world charm and its connection to the region’s history, though the exact use of your free time is flexible.

That flexibility is useful on a private trip. You are not locked into a rigid group activity, and you can spend the hour walking, browsing, or simply enjoying the change of pace. Ask your guide what makes the most sense on the day.

Bowral is also a sensible opening stop. After leaving central Sydney, you have time to settle into the countryside before the more specific attractions begin. Do not expect a major museum visit or a packed sightseeing program here. Bowral works best as a gentle introduction rather than the main event.

Fitzroy Falls delivers a quick rainforest view

The visit to Fitzroy Falls National Park is short, around 20 minutes, but it provides one of the day’s clearest scenic rewards. You follow a short track to the top of the falls and look out across lush rainforest.

That timing tells you what to expect. This is a photo stop and brief walk, not a long national park hike. Wear shoes suitable for a short track, and keep your camera ready because the visit moves quickly.

The limited time can be a drawback if you want a longer walk or a slower look at the park. Still, as part of a packed day, the stop works well. You get a memorable waterfall view without sacrificing the garden, villages, and winery later on.

Red Cow Farm is the day’s most unusual stop

Red Cow Farm Garden gives this tour a more personal and distinctive feel. The privately owned property covers 2.5 hectares and includes a walled sanctuary, monastery garden, and abbess’s garden, along with a broad collection of plants and designed spaces.

A garden visit can easily become an afterthought on a country tour. Here, it has a full hour and its own entry fee is included. That makes it more than a quick photo stop. You have enough time to notice the layout, move through the different garden areas, and enjoy a quiet break from the vehicle.

The private nature of the property is part of its appeal. You are not visiting a generic public park. The garden reflects the owners’ work and taste, giving you a closer look at a carefully maintained rural retreat.

If gardens are not your thing, this may be the least important stop for you. The tour does not offer much detail about plant species or seasonal displays, so you should book it for the setting and variety rather than for a specialist horticultural lesson.

Berrima brings the 1830s into view

Berrima is an 1830s Georgian village with a single main street lined by restored sandstone buildings. You have about an hour to walk around, admire the architecture, and browse specialty shops selling local arts and crafts.

This is the strongest history stop on the schedule. The village is compact, so an hour gives you enough time to get your bearings without making the visit feel rushed. The sandstone buildings also provide a sharp contrast with the green countryside and garden setting earlier in the day.

Because food is not included, Berrima may be a useful place to think about lunch, depending on the day’s timing and the options your guide recommends. The tour information does not promise a meal or specify a particular restaurant, so plan to pay separately for anything you eat or drink.

I like the fact that Berrima is treated as free time rather than a guided march through town. You can focus on architecture, shops, or a slower walk. The tradeoff is that the visit may feel brief if you want to explore every shop.

Bendooley Estate closes with cool-climate wine

The final listed stop is a wine tasting at Bendooley Estate. You taste a selection of boutique wines from the Southern Highlands, a region shaped by cool nights, mild days, and dry ripening conditions.

Wine tasting fees are included, which makes the stop easier to budget. You can sample the local style without wondering if a tasting charge will be added later. The tour does not include food, so any meal, snack, or additional drink remains your responsibility.

The winery visit adds a natural finish to the day. After gardens, waterfalls, and heritage buildings, you get time to sit with the region’s agricultural identity. The focus is on tasting a variety of wines rather than a detailed cellar-door education, so expectations should stay realistic.

The minimum drinking age is 18. If someone in your private group does not drink, the tour still includes enough non-wine stops to keep the day worthwhile, but the final visit is built around wine tasting.

What the private vehicle and guide change

A private tour is most valuable when the route includes several stops spread across a wide area. You avoid piecing together public transportation, working out rural connections, and driving after wine tasting.

Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Sydney hotels are included. The start time is 8:00 am, and the total duration is about 10 hours, so this is a full day rather than a quick half-day outing. Bottled water is also provided.

The guide is an important part of the value. Glenn is specifically associated with this route, and the available feedback describes him as an entertaining driver who shares information about the area and adjusts the day with local suggestions. One outing included a stop at a small pub for lunch, but that is not a guaranteed part of the advertised schedule. Treat it as a possibility, not an inclusion.

You should also know that seatbelts must be worn at all times under government regulations. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, though the main convenience comes from the included hotel transfer.

Is $523.59 per person fair?

At $523.59 per person, this is not a budget day trip. The price makes more sense if you are sharing the private vehicle with family or friends and place a high value on convenience, personal attention, and a full schedule.

The price includes:

• Private transportation and guide
• Central Sydney hotel pickup and drop-off
• Fitzroy Falls entry
• Red Cow Farm garden entry
• Wine tasting fees
• Bottled water
• Informative commentary

Food and other drinks are not included. You should set aside extra money for lunch and any purchases in Berrima or at the estate.

Compared with arranging the same day yourself, the tour removes several hassles. You would need to drive from Sydney, organize five stops, manage timing, pay garden and tasting fees, and decide who drives after wine tasting. For a small private group, that convenience can justify the price.

If you are a solo visitor or a couple watching every dollar, the cost may feel steep. The value is strongest when you want one carefully arranged country day and do not want to rent a car.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad introduction to the Southern Highlands rather than one deep visit to a single site. It suits people who like scenery, gardens, historic towns, and wine in equal measure.

It is also a strong choice if your time in Australia is limited. One person specifically valued being able to cover the day’s schedule without trying to arrange it independently. That is the practical advantage here: the tour compresses a scattered region into one manageable outing.

The tour may be less suitable if you want serious hiking. Fitzroy Falls includes only a short track and around 20 minutes at the stop. It may also disappoint visitors seeking a long winery tour, a full meal, or extensive free time in each town.

Because it is private, it works well for families, couples, and small groups with shared interests. You can ask questions directly, and the day is less likely to feel like a conveyor belt of stops.

Practical tips for making the day work

Start with a good breakfast because food is not included and the itinerary is active. You will have free time in Bowral and Berrima, but neither stop promises a specific meal.

Wear comfortable shoes for the short Fitzroy Falls track and walking around Berrima and Red Cow Farm. The tour combines vehicle time with several walks, so simple, practical clothing is the best choice.

Keep the day flexible. A private guide can offer local suggestions, and the timing at rural stops may shift. Glenn is associated with knowing the area well, so use the drive time to ask about the region and possible lunch options.

Book ahead if your schedule is fixed. The experience is booked an average of 75 days in advance, which suggests that popular travel dates may fill early. Confirmation is normally sent at booking, though reservations made within four days of departure may receive confirmation within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel or request changes less than 24 hours before departure, you should not expect a refund or accepted changes.

Should you book the Southern Highlands tour?

Book it if you want a polished private day from Sydney that combines scenery, gardens, heritage, and wine without the work of driving yourself. The best reasons are the varied route, included transfers, personal guide service, and the chance to see several parts of the Southern Highlands in one day.

Think twice if $523.59 per person is beyond your budget, if you want a serious hike, or if you need meals included. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded countryside outing, with Glenn’s local guidance adding useful personality to a schedule that would be hard to reproduce on your own.

FAQ

How long is the Southern Highlands private tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from central Sydney hotels are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Bowral, Fitzroy Falls, Red Cow Farm Garden, Berrima, and Bendooley Estate for wine tasting.

Is wine tasting included in the price?

Yes. Wine tasting fees are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Bottled water is provided.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.