Be sure to stop in Goulburn and see the Big Merino (sheep)!! LOL
If you were going to Narooma I'd have a few reccs, but not the highlands. That's NeilOz's territory, so he should be jumping in soon.
Sally in Seattle

Hi JohnFitz,


Bowral has some lovely "Country Manor/ Country House" accommodation options. I've not stayed in any of these for some years as I have friends in Bowral, but have a look at :

Milton Park - www.milton-park.com
The restaurant here "Hordern's" gets 14/20 in the Good Food Guide this year.

Links House - www.linkshouse.com.au
(Adjacent to Royal Bowral Golf course).

Peppers Manor House - (Sutton Forest) http://www.peppers.com.au/Manor-House.
Their Restaurant, "Katers" scores 14/20 in the current SMH Good Food Guide.

Berida Manor used to be good, but it's looking a bit tired on its website. http://www.beridamanor.com.au

The Briars - between Bowral & Moss Vale. An old Inn, now has separate accommodation and a good bistro style restaurant. It's a nice casual place for a bite. http://briars.com.au/

Berrima:

There used to be a really good restaurant in Berrima - The Journeyman. It closed at the end of June and a new one is opening in Bowral - might be open when you get there, I think they were aiming for late September.

Eschalot - www.eschalot.com.au (15/20) reads well.

There's a wonderful bookshop just outside Berrima:
www.berkelouw.com.au/about/berrima

I'll ask my friends about some restaurant recommendations for you -they're closer to the scene as I don't get down there often enough these days - and you know how quickly places & people in the hospitality industry can change.

... and my friends have recommended these in the "eatery" category (and endorsed The Links & Milton Park as good accommodation venues).

Bowral: The Elephant Boy Cafe
www.elephantboycafes.com

Mittagong: Esco Pazzo
www.thesouthernhighlands.com.au/directory/dining/restaurants

Berrima: The Magpie Cafe
www.magpiecafe.com.au

We had a great lunch the other day in a cafe called "Bite me" in Moss Vale - on the Bowral road.

Many thanks,as that is all wonderful information . I shall enjoy following it up and will keep you posted after the excursion .

Funny you mention Milton Park as friends we stay with in Sydney and who own Simpsons of Potts Point , bought ( years ago ) Samuel Horderns Silver Ghost Rolls Royce circa 1910 and have a photo of it in front of the house at the time he imported it to Australia . It is the most extraordnairy car and they have driven it across the Gobi Desert and other rallys around the world .

Hi Bokhara2,

Don't suppose you have any reccos for cheap places to stay? Pubs with rooms, perhaps?