Your guide to Braidwood, where history meets modern style

Katie Dundas Katie Dundas
hero media
The heritage-listed town of Braidwood is the perfect destination for a weekend away, boasting historic buildings, adventures in nature and fabulous local cuisine and wines.

The Southern Tablelands town of Braidwood is easy to love. At first glance, its spacious, inviting streets and heritage architecture evoke a bygone era, but as you stay a bit longer, you’ll discover that this NSW town is so much more than its beautiful facade. It’s also home to culinary delights (did someone say truffles?), talented artisans and national parks just awaiting exploration.

Braidwood quickly rose to prosperity after the discovery of gold in 1851, funding the town’s grand buildings, but its heritage charms are beautifully balanced with the area’s contemporary art galleries, luxurious B&Bs and chic wineries.

Listed on the NSW State Heritage Register thanks to its preserved Victorian-era architecture, Braidwood is a delight that deserves more than a coffee break on a road trip from Sydney or Canberra. Here’s how to make the most out of a trip to Braidwood, the cool country town that should be on your radar.

Braidwood Hotel exterior
You won’t miss the bright pink Braidwood Hotel. (Image: Adam McGrath)

Getting there

Braidwood is just over a three-hour drive from Sydney and an hour from Canberra, easily accessible from either city. The Southern Tablelands region sits within south-east NSW and is also just a short drive inland from the popular South Coast beach towns of Batemans Bay and Narooma.

Where to eat

Like any respectable Australian country town, Braidwood prides itself on its bakeries, the ideal first stop for a sweet treat after you arrive in town. The Braidwood Bakery, dating back to 1932, is worth any queue – you absolutely can’t beat their chocolate and fresh cream eclair, but the meat pies are also a fan favourite. Artisan bakery Dojo Bread is the best place to stock up on freshly baked German-style bread and bagels.

For a hearty country meal, Braidwood Hotel (you can’t miss it, it’s pink!), offers a roaring fireplace, Sunday roast and a convivial atmosphere. The Bushranger Restaurant within the Royal Mail Hotel is another heritage pub that doesn’t disappoint. Meanwhile, Smokey Horse, a popular Himalayan eatery offering craft beers and live music, has the best curries in town.

artisan bakery, Dojo Bread in Braidwood
Stock up at artisan bakery, Dojo Bread. (Image: Field & Film)

The Southern Tablelands climate and soil also creates ideal conditions for spirits and wine production. Lark Hill Winery, in nearby Bungendore, specialises in biodynamic, cold-climate wines; Agostinis at Lark Hill Winery, their on-site Tuscan eatery, is one of the best spots in the area for a long weekend lunch.

Time your visit with the bi-monthly Braidwood Farmers Market, held on Saturdays, to browse the stalls for delectable treats like local jams, honey and fresh produce. Braidwood is also known for its valuable black truffles, with several truffle farms open to the public for tours.

truffle hunting in Braidwood
Take a truffle farm tour at L’air du Wombat Truffles. (Image: Janine Fabre)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Things to do

Braidwood Museum is the best starting point for learning more about the region. It’s open on Fridays and Saturdays and is packed with historical artefacts tied to the area’s settler, gold rush and even bushranger past (Ned Kelly, starring Mick Jagger and released in 1970, was filmed not in Glenrowan or Beechworth but Braidwood).

As you continue along Wallace Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, there’s plenty of impressive architecture to discover on the Braidwood Heritage Walk, including the Old Post Office (built in late 1864), the Albion Hotel (home to the fabulous Albion Cafe), the Court House and St Andrew’s Anglican Church.

Braidwood Museum
learn more about the region at Braidwood Museum. (Image: Jarrah Knowles)

The town centre is also a delight for antiquing, art galleries and boutique shops, run by passionate artisans. Studio Altenburg, within the heritage Commercial Bank building, has been family-owned since 1978 and has rotating exhibitions, plus an impressive gift shop of local crafts and clothing. The Braidwood Regional Arts Group Gallery is also a great option for affordable art.

Studio Altenburg, Braidwood
Wander the rotating exhibitions at Studio Altenburg. (Image: Destination NSW)

Once you’re ready to explore beyond town, the Southern​ Tablelands are a treasure for hikers and walkers, with several national parks nearby. Monga National Park, about 20 kilometres from Braidwood, is home to an ancient temperate rainforest and important cultural sites for the Yuin and Walbunja people, the area’s traditional owners. Serious walkers will enjoy the 16-kilometre one-way Corn Trail walking track, an important historic route for both Indigenous peoples and settlers, but it can also be explored on horseback.

Deua, Budawang, Tallaganda and Morton National Parks are also just a short drive from Braidwood, each offering plenty of scenic walks for all skill levels. Morton National Park is home to Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track, with the hike to the top offering some of the state’s most iconic views.

Couple enjoying panoramic views across to Pigeon House Mountain (Aboriginal: Didthul) in Morton National Park.
Take in the view at Pigeon House Mountain. (Image: Destination NSW)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Where to stay

You’ll find plenty of welcoming and unique accommodation in Braidwood, whether you want to stay for a night or a week. For luxury and history, The Doncaster is an excellent choice. As the town’s first hotel, dating back to the 1840s, The Doncaster has been a convent, boarding school and even a temporary safe haven during the Second World War. Today it’s an elegantly restored guest house with beautifully landscaped gardens and old-world style.

The Doncaster, Braidwood
Sleep in luxury and history at The Doncaster.

Farm stays and B&Bs are also plentiful throughout the Southern Tablelands. The dog-friendly Braidwood Farm Stay & Cafe is a working farm and offers tiny houses or shared bunks for guests. Enjoy a morning flat white on your balcony as you watch wallabies graze, cool off in the nearby swimming holes at Bombay Reserve, or join in on a horseback ride.

Cedar Lodge, a conveniently located and well-equipped inn, is a stylish and modern take on the traditional roadside motel that’s an ideal base for meandering around town. Meanwhile, Mona Farm‘s award-winning gardens play host to seven luxurious historic guest houses, providing the perfect romantic getaway surrounded by contemporary art and sculpture.

Mona Farm Homestead, Braidwood
Stay at Mona Farm’s Homestead, one of seven accommodation options.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Katie Dundas
Katie Dundas is a freelance travel journalist based in Sydney but originally from the US. She’s passionate about the outdoors, adventure travel, and sustainability and can often be found hiking or swimming. Happiest near water, she loves getting off the beaten track and discovering somewhere new, often with Apple, her tiny pup.
View profile and articles
The Big Potato Babe transformation to The Pig Potato
Southern Highlands

‘Big Potato’ now the ‘Pig Potato’ but we think it’d look better mashed

That’ll do, Spud.

Read more
the entrance to the Little Black Cottage studio in Bowral
Bowral

Top 15 places to stay in Bowral and beyond

The best Bowral accommodation ranges from weatherboard cottages to an Airbnb on the outskirts of town to all manner of elegant country estates.

Read more
Bowral shops
Bowral

A guide to the best shops in Bowral and surrounds

The essential guide to shops in Bowral includes markets, antique stores, boutiques and bookshops.

Read more
Things To Do In Bowral
Bowral

Top 20 best things to do in Bowral

Bowral is bursting with great things to do, from living it up in a country estate to trawling for books and antiques and sipping great coffee.

Read more
hero media

Why the Central Coast is a foodie mecca

    Elise Cullen Elise Cullen
    Continue
    Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

    Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

    From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

    vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare
    From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

    Central Coast oyster experiences

    From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

    But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast, however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

    Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

    guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food
    Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

    Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed. Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

    shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

    Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

    While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

    Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

    Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s.

    If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

    woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong
    Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

    Organic dining

    What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

    The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

    Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics. Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

    farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics
    See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

    Paddock-to-plate dining

    High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

    Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

    woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food
    Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare. One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

    Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

    cocktail at Bells At Killcare
    Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

    Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.