6 Must-Visit Bathurst Wineries | Australian Traveller

Escape to the rolling hills of Bathurst for a charming and peaceful winery, distillery or brewery tour.

Welcome to Bathurst – where the wine and liquor flow as naturally as the rolling hills that envelop this charming region. This quaint, down-to-earth and peaceful place is home to a handful of lovely wineries, plus a couple of breweries and distilleries – all run by locals with a genuine passion for their craft.

As you explore the area, keep an eye out for native wildlife and farm animals that often graze in the surrounding paddocks. Assign your designated driver and get ready to be charmed by cold-climate brews and the warmth and hospitality that make this region so special.

1. Renzaglia Wines

Nestled in the rolling hills of O’Connell, 20 minutes from Bathurst, Renzaglia Wines is the perfect place to escape and take in the beauty of the local area. With a focus on making unique, high-quality Australian wines, this family-owned vineyard has been a labour of love for three generations.

The site sits at 780 metres altitude upon two distinctly different granite-derived soil types, which have been nurtured to encourage biodiversity in the vineyard. The result? Spectacular wines that truly represent the location. Renzaglia offers not just great wine but also picturesque views and a warm welcome.

Address: 38 Bosworth Rd, O’Connell

a display of wine bottles at Renzaglia Wines — You will taste the love that goes into every bottle at Renzaglia Wines.

2. Vale Creek Wines

Located 15 kilometres south of Bathurst, Vale Creek Wines is one local winery worth a visit. Set on a picturesque rural property with stunning views of the surrounding hills, the lovely location and warm hosts will make you feel welcome.

With a focus on cool climate Italian grape varieties, your tastebuds will be tempted by a range of sangiovese, rosato, dolcetto, barbera, pinot grigio, aeneis, lagrein, vermentio and moscato. The property is also home to koalas, kangaroos, grazing sheep and cattle – making it a truly special place. Enjoy a beautiful lunch platter alongside your tasting for the ultimate luxury experience.

Address: 438 Cow Flat Road, Cow Flat

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

3. Winburndale Wines

Located 15 minutes east of Bathurst, Winburndale Wines is a tranquil escape from the city and a must-visit on your local winery tour. The climate, landscape and methods of the vineyard create an ideal grape, resulting in wines with soft tannins that are sure to please.

As a passionate, family-run business, your hosts will surely impress with their knowledge and hospitality. There’s a veranda overlooking a dam to pause and enjoy, plus a cellar door for tastings. It also offer two charming cottages, arguably some of the best accommodation in Bathurst.

Address: 16 Saint Anthony’s Creek Rd, Bathurst

the verdant vineyard at sunset, Winburndale Wines, Bathurst — Winburndale Wines boasts picturesque scenes from every angle.

4. Reckless Brewing

Reckless Brewing is owned by two mates with a passion for brewing craft beers from quality, natural ingredients. Situated in a heritage-listed ex-flour mill next to the Bathurst Rail Museum, it oozes rustic country vibes and a fun and youthful ambience.

There’s live music and trivia, as well as a tasy menu offering burgers, share plates, pizzas and classic pub fare with a modern, street-food-inspired flair.

Address: 2a Piper St, Bathurst

Reckless Brewing in Bathurst, NSW — Opt for a tasting paddle at Reckless Brewing.

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5. Bathurst Grange Distillery

Located just 10 minutes from the city centre, Bathurst Grange Distillery promises to be a highlight on any Bathurst booze tour. This hidden gem is a lovely little family-run distillery that is passionate about producing fine gin and whisky. The family’s story dates back over 200 years, with visitors to the historic estate including Charles Darwin and Brett Whiteley.

The tasting room is open from Friday to Sunday, tours running Fridays and Saturdays and you can hire the space for weddings or special events. The welcoming service and ambience make it a top spot for families, including furry friends!

Address: 3249 O’Connell Rd, Bathurst

the exterior of Bathurst Grange Distillery — Bathurst Grange Distillery produces quality Australian gin and whisky. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Mount Panorama Wines

The only winery in Bathurst town, Mount Panorama Wines is nestled on the inside of the world-famous Mount Panorama Racing Circuit. This unique, boutique vineyard produces cool climate wines that are elegant, powerfu, and much loved by visitors.

The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and charming, too – just give them a call before visiting to make sure they’re open.

Address: 117 Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama

If you’re keen to travel further from Bathurst town, there are so many glorious wineries, distilleries, and breweries in the greater area – particularly around Orange and Mudgee which are a day-trip distance from the city centre.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

6 must-visit wineries and distillery doors in Bathurst

Escape to the rolling hills of Bathurst for a charming and peaceful winery, distillery or brewery tour.

1. Renzaglia Wines

2. Vale Creek Wines

3. Winburndale Wines

4. Reckless Brewing

5. Bathurst Grange Distillery

6. Mount Panorama Wines

If you’re keen to travel further from Bathurst town, there are so many glorious wineries, distilleries, and breweries in the greater area – particularly around Orange and Mudgee which are a day-trip distance from the city centre.

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This stretch of Sydney beaches topped the annual Best Australian Beaches list

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.