How to escape to Berry for the perfect weekend away
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A modern and charming country town with an assortment of epicurean experiences, Berry has long been a favourite escape for Canberrans.
Just two-and-a-half hours from Canberra, the picturesque village invites people to slow down and soak in the beauty of the countryside. But with charming boutiques, farm-to-plate restaurants and live music events, Berry offers a travel experience that ticks a whole lot of boxes.
Whether you want to eat your way through homestyle country cooking, make the most of sophisticated shopping or relax in a boutique cottage, here’s our guide on how to spend the perfect weekend away in Berry – including where to eat, play and stay.
EAT + DRINK
Berry is known as a foodie’s paradise – and for good reason.
Treats and tea
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For those who can’t resist baked goods, the best place to start your day is at either one of Berry’s icons: The Berry Donut Van and Milkwood Bakery. Be sure to go early – it’s a common sight at both places to see people lining up down the street. We promise they’re worth the wait.
Making their famous cinnamon donuts since 1974, The Berry Donut Van has long been a favourite spot for locals, known and loved for its charming, nostalgic vibe. But piping hot cinnamon donuts aren’t the only thing on the menu – they also serve coffee, milkshakes, pies, hot dogs and more. They’re open from 8.30 am seven days a week.
Grab-and-go isn’t your style? Milkwood Bakery is a must. Known for their organic sourdough breads, and a mouthwatering and ever-changing array of cakes, pastries and other savouries, the bakery has both indoor and outdoor seating; ideal for soaking up the sun.
The Berry Tea Shop is another must-visit local institution, known for its Devonshire Tea with warm scones served with house-made jam and double cream. Take the time to browse the curated collection of hand-blended loose-leaf teas and beautiful tea wares.
Looking for something with quaint charm and all-day breakfast and lunch menus? The Queen St Cafe offers just that. Book high tea in the beautiful tea rooms to indulge in savouries along with petit fours and gem scones served with strawberry jam and dessert cream.
If that’s not enough, you can go back in time at the Dairy Bar at The Treat Factory for handcrafted gelato, classic Devonshire Teas, coffee and a selection of hearty café favourites, cakes and sweet treats.
The Berry Chocolatier is a must-stop for sweet treat shopping, while Flavours Providore stocks all your artisan gourmet food needs.
Brunch and casual eats
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Start your morning at The Berry General Store, a local favourite for coffee, breakfast and brunch. With an overflowing all-day menu that spans café classics to loaded plates and fresh sandwiches, it has something for every kind of craving. As for drinks, coffee, tea, chai and matcha are menu staples, with the speciality banana bread iced matcha and latte sure to impress.
Lunchtime calls for a stop at The Rutledge Bar & Eats for food and cocktails in a fun barn setting in the middle of town. Serving elevated pub food (think: a wagyu beef burger, Yakatori chicken skewers and pulled pork tacos), make sure to try one of the special Rutledge cocktails. What’s better than a long lunch washed down with a lychee and mint martini?
Finally, The Great Southern Hotel is a historic pub serving up classic food, cold beers and live music. Recently welcoming new owners (including local restaurateurs behind the very popular Il Locale), the menu is hearty and classic with schnitties, steaks, and more. Go on Friday, Saturday or Sunday for the live music and stay for a parmi.
Fine dining and drinking
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If you’re looking for something that ranks higher on the fine end of Berry’s dining scene, there’s plenty to choose from.
South on Albany is an award-winning dining experience tucked away on a side street of Berry – but it’s well worth discovering. They serve a set menu that changes every few weeks to highlight the best of the season, and you also have the option to add freshly shucked oysters and matched drinks.
Sara Dining has Chef Alex Pritchard at the helm – the two-hatted former Head Chef of the iconic Iceberg’s Dining Room & Bar. Located on a five-acre farm just a five-minute drive from Berry, it offers a beautiful, seasonal paddock-to-plate dining experience. Using herbs, fruits and vegetables grown from the two kitchen gardens, the menu features snacks, smaller plates and generous dishes designed for sharing. As for the drinks? The 500-bottle wine list includes 33 wines by the glass, while the cocktails also draw from the property, with a house martini made with mountain marigold and citrus-leaf distillate to a mini frozen margarita with smoked pear and garden herbs.
For wine lovers, new wine bar Le Bar offers a selection of curated wines from Australia and Europe (best enjoyed with a cheese plate), while wineries Mountain Ridge Winery, Two Figs and Silos Estate all offer sensational tasting options.
Want to make the most of your accommodation? The Berry Bottle Shop is a hidden gem. Stocking wine, beer, cider, spirits and liqueurs, the hardest part will be choosing what bottle to take back with you.
PLAY
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For the culture vultures
There’s no shortage of things to do in Berry, but one thing worth planning your trip around is the A Day Well Spent live music event. Free to attend, their Folk session is taking place this Sunday 20 September, with Fremantle’s Jack Davies, Sydney-raised indie-folk artist Ben Morgan and even Canberra’s Lucy Sugerman taking the stage.
Held at various venues across the town, you can wander between shows and see a different side of Berry while you live like a local. Can’t make it to the September session? Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November are all about Around the World Music, blending contemporary styles with global influences. Start planning now so you can book your night away!
For those who like to get creative (and don’t mind getting their hands dirty), Pottery Classes by David Collins in his studio in Woodhill Mountain offer a unique opportunity to play with pottery under expert supervision in a gorgeous mountain setting.
For those seeking some self-care
It’s not a holiday (or weekend away) without some retail therapy. Queen Street is Berry’s own boutique shopping strip, home to SAINTE , Few and Far, MOSS NEST, and more. Start at Queen St Café to grab a coffee and work your way up the street.
For a bit of TLC, iKOU Day Spa, Lou Lou Berry and A Rose Organic Beauty all offer a selection of treatments that will help you rest, relax and restore.
For adventure seekers
The Shoalhaven region is renowned for its natural beauty, and Berry is no exception. Take the stunning 12-kilometre stretch of golden sand and gentle surf of Seven Mile Beach – it’s only a 10-minute drive away and perfect for swimming, kayaking and more.
Those who don’t mind getting sweaty (and love a good view) shouldn’t miss the Drawing Room Rocks hike. Located in the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, it takes up to two hours and offers stunning views of the whole region once you reach the top.
For the foodies
Get to know Berry’s food scene through Foodscape Tours. The Bite around Berry walking trail highlights specialty retailers, artisan producers and local village dining options, with something sure to tempt you.
Carramar Kitchen is just a short drive from Berry and is run by a former Hollywood chef-to-the-stars. Learn how to make everything from vegetarian dishes to Italian and Mexican cuisine in immersive cooking classes held each month. Using organic produce and prioritising gluten-free options, they also emphasise zero food waste and sustainable techniques.
Love a sweet treat? The Treat Factory hosts various chocolate DIY workshops, from handcrafting your own loaded Belgian Rocky Road to a selection of Belgian chocolates.
STAY
Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or your significant other, Berry has accommodation for every kind of trip.
For groups and families
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The charming Greta Cottage is in the heart of Berry, putting it within walking distance of shops, cafés and Boongaree Nature Park. A boutique four-bedroom home, it can sleep up to eight guests and is ideal for small groups and families.
Want a pool to cool off after a long day of exploring or lake views? Supercalla Private Properties offers a blend of country charm and boutique sophistication with a range of accommodation options to choose from. Whatever you choose, it promises beauty, character and connection to nature.
Jaspers Run by Contemporary Hotels is located just five minutes from Berry and sleeps up to 16 guests, sitting on a 100-acre farm. Blending country living with luxury, the games shed (which stocks two pool/snooker tables, a dartboard, foosball table, air-hockey, ping pong and a vintage arcade game with 500 games) and the 10-metre swimming pool are highlights for all ages.
For couples
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If you’re craving something a bit more intimate, Station Road Loft is ideal for couples planning a slower weekend away. With an aesthetic best described as “country fairytale”, it has everything you need, from a cosy bathroom to a kitchenette and even the option to add a breakfast package (in case you don’t want to get out of bed). Another bonus? It’s located just moments from Berry’s cafés and boutiques.
Meanwhile, the Berry View Hotel is a cosy mid-century drive-in motel that’s reminiscent of past family summer adventures. With 18 rooms that pay homage to the original 1950s architecture and an infinity pool with an extensive lounging area, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of Palm Springs (without the plane ticket).
For the luxury lovers
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Take your weekend away to the next level with a luxurious stay in one of the many accommodation options from the Linnaeus Collection – the team behind a collection of architecturally distinct luxury holiday homes and farms. Including Linnaeus Farm, Maple Cottages and more, they’re perfect for booking larger gatherings, multigenerational stays, retreats or special occasions.
The family-run and family-friendly bed and breakfast The Drawing Rooms of Berry is just 10 minutes from Berry and 15 minutes from beaches, putting you in the heart of some stunning natural surrounds. Home to four lodges, in total they can sleep 17 guests and have all the amenities you could want or need.
Finally, for those craving privacy, space and calm, Mt Hay Retreat promises all that and more. Featuring luxury villas complete with an outdoor bath and breathtaking views of rolling green hills and the distant ocean horizon, it’s luxury in its purest form.
Want more reasons to make Berry your next weekend road trip? Visit berry.org.au.
