Sutton Forest
Red Cow Farm - Open Garden, Sutton Forest
Sutton Forest
A tranquil village surrounded by beautiful woodlands and idyllic farms, Sutton Forest is the oldest town in the Southern Highlands and one of the most historic settlements in NSW. It's the place to taste wine at boutique cellar doors, shop for antiques, explore grand country gardens and perfect your golf swing.
Highlights
Historic charms
One of the first colonial settlements outside of Sydney, today Sutton Forest offers a captivating glimpse into the past, with well-preserved churches, homes and public buildings, like the Sutton Forest Monument, commemorating the first British explorers who passed through the region in 1798. Red Cow Farm is a gorgeous cool climate garden that can trace its roots back to a convict-era farm. Golden Vale Homestead dates back to the 1870s and has an elegant Georgian house, lush English-style gardens, stables and a woolshed.
Red Cow Farm Open Garden, Sutton Forest
The town's most famous site, the 1870s Hillview Heritage Estate, is currently undergoing a major renovation led by The King's Foundation. The former vice-regal residence will be reborn as a cultural hub modelled on Scotland's Dumfries House, with guided tours, craft workshops and more. Tee off in lovely surrounds at Mt Broughton Golf and Country Club. Reputed for being one of the longest golf courses in Australia, this site is home to gorgeous waterways and undulating greens.
Mt Broughton Golf and Country Club, Sutton Forest - Credit: Destination Southern Highlands
Wines & vines
The lush fields around Sutton Forest produce some of the state's finest cool climate wines. Eling Forest Winery is on one of the region's original colonial properties, with a homestead and buildings dating back to the 1800s. The Lorentz family of Cherry Tree Hill Wines brings their rich tradition of Hungarian winemaking to their rieslings, pinots and stickies. Sutton Forest Estate Wines is a little piece of Italy in the Southern Highlands.
Cherry Tree Hill Wines, Sutton Forest - Credit: Cherry Tree Hill
St Maur Wines is set on a rustic dairy farm with just 16 hectares of grapes producing small batch vintages. Don't miss their special seasonal lunches using produce from the kitchen garden. Bring your pooch to Dawning Day Winery and Distillery, where the cellar door dog Kelvin will be on hand to greet them. Taste their wine, gin and limoncello by the fire, accompanied by an antipasto board.
Dawning Day Winery and Distillery, Exeter - Credit: Dawning Day Farms
Where to stay
Embrace heritage and the country life when you stay in Sutton Forest. Peppers Manor House is a grand estate that began in the 1870s and was expanded in the 1920s. It's now a chic boutique hotel with vintage charm and gorgeous gardens. Stay in one of the luxurious suites of Canyonleigh Retreat, a 200-hectare property with native forest, lush gardens and abundant wildlife.
Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest - Credit: Peppers Manor House
Getting there
Sutton Forest is a 90-minute drive from Sydney and just under two hours from Canberra. You can also take the train direct from Sydney to Moss Vale, which takes 90 minutes, or from Canberra which takes just over two hours. Transfer to a local bus for the 10-minute trip to Sutton Forest.
