8 Awesome things you absolutely must do in Berry

Are you planning a berry exciting trip to beautiful Berry? Yep, that’s right, you can prepare yourself for a whole lot of terrible puns because this blog post is all about BERRY! I hadn’t heard of Berry until I started planning a trip down there, to stay with Anthony and Louise at Mt Hay Retreat. Once I arrived, I realised it was a strong contender for my favourite little Aussie town. I just fell in love with the place and can very much see myself settling down on a farm there with a lot of rescue animals and some good quality Wi-fi.

Berry is a place you’ll find to be warm and welcoming as well as incredibly beautiful. You’re treated to a country town with a chic city edge, mountains and a short drive to the ocean as well as loads of great food, drink and entertainment to be had. If you’re looking for a fantastic weekend escape close to Sydney, look no further than Berry. Even if you aren’t from Sydney, I’d highly recommend putting Berry on your travel bucket list and making a trip to this gorgeous spot when you get the chance. I cannot wait to go back myself.

1. Get your Donut fill

Did you know there’s an amazing place in Berry called The Famous Berry Donut Van? Ahhhh yes, it’s a real thing and it’s some kind of wonderful. You guys, they have been serving up top-notch cinnamon donuts for 55 years and they’re everything your Homer Simpson dreams are made of. Don’t miss out!

2. Visit Shoalhaven Heads

It will only take you 15 minutes to drive from the heart of Berry, surrounded by its glamorous mountains, to Shoalhaven Heads. We found this stunning beach to be pretty much empty, apart from us. It’s a great spot to fool around on the sand dunes, walk along with your feet in the water or just sit, soak in the sun and have a dip if the weather is warm. Even if it’s a cold day, as long as the sun is out, it’s beautiful and worth the trip.

Hiring a car? We recommend booking it here

3. Meet alpacas and taste fantastic wine at Silos Estate

We were lucky enough to visit Silos Estate and meet the owner, Raj, who showed us around the stunning property. We met and fed the alpacas, caught a glimpse of one of the most incredible sunsets I’ve ever seen and taste the award-winning Silos Estate and Wileys Creek wines. We had an amazing time and as we left, Raj asked me to write about the thing he is most passionate about social change. Raj and his family work tirelessly to support the community with their multiple charity efforts and carbon-neutral approach to their business. I cannot recommend a visit to Silos Estate highly enough, it was a trip highlight for me.

4. Try German wines with Leigh, from Decante This

While we were in town, Leigh Dryden of Decante This was in town hosting a wine tasting. Not just any wine tasting, Leigh shared his passion for brilliant German wines with us. I’d never thought to get into German wines, turns out, they’re incredible. We spent the night soaking in Leigh’s knowledge, fantastic wines and matching cheeses, made especially by Kirsten at The Schoolhouse in Gerringong. It was an awesome night, we met some fantastic locals too.

5. Take a road trip down to Jervis Bay

If you have a day to spare I highly recommend you jump in the car and take a road trip out to Jervis Bay. It is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. The drive, from Berry, should take you around an hour or so and it is 100% worth it. I have a whole blog post about this beautiful part of the world, so be sure to read that here. If you have the time, you could take in the beautiful scenery from a unique perspective by cruising across the bay, looking for local bottlenose dolphins and enjoying the views of the long sandy beaches from the water.

Book a 2 hour Cruise of the stunning Jervis Bay here

6. Stroll through town and peruse the shops

After you’ve had a great breakfast or lunch, I recommend spending an hour or two strolling through the shops on the main street and tucked around corners. There are some really lovely little boutiques in the area, selling hand-made items, arts and crafts, clothing and beauty products as well as homewares and the like. It’s just a nice place to plod along, dipping in and out of stores, enjoying the sunshine.

7. Watch a sunrise and sunset

I was lucky enough to catch a sunset at Silos Estate and a sunrise at Mt Hay Retreat. The sunset at Silos was, honestly, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I asked the owner, Raj if they are always like that and he said yes. So, with that in mind, I highly recommend you catch a Berry sunset and sunrise. It’s beautiful to watch the area come alive with morning’s first light and then watch the sky turn brilliant shades of orange and pink as the sun sets.

Book a stay at the incredible Mt Hay Retreat here

8. Have a no-fuss picnic

While we were staying at Mt Hay Retreat, we were lucky enough to be treated to a fabulous picnic, prepared by Creative Catering. Because we were staying at Mt Hay Retreat we were able to grab our goodies and head up to their very quiet top paddock and sprawl out in the sunshine. However, if you’re staying elsewhere, I’d still recommend organising your own fantastic picnic with Creative Catering, complete with fresh fruit and veggies, biscuits and dips, olives and meats, then taking it to a really lovely spot with great views. A no-fuss, fantastic picnic and a great way to spend a few hours in Berry.

Where to stay in Berry

Okay, so you know all the best things to see, do and eat in Berry, now it’s time for my recommendation on the very best place to stay. I’m 100% totally biased because I got to stay with Anthony and Louise, their dog Teal and their chickens, goats and cows at Mt Hay Retreat. It was a fantastic stay, made so enjoyable by the luxury accommodation, incredible views, awesome hospitality, and great location of the retreat.

If you’re looking for a really gorgeous place to stay that makes you feel relaxed and really welcome, Mt Hay Retreat is your jam. I wrote a whole blog post about it, which you should definitely read, here.  If you do go and stay there, I don’t want to hear about it, because I’ll be very jealous of you. Booking.com and Agoda are great websites for finding accommodation options in Berry, Shoalhaven Heads and surrounds. Below are a few options worth looking into:

Mt Hay Retreat	Read our full review
The Berry Inn	Stylish, central location
Red Waratah	Quiet with mountain views
True Colours Tiny House	Unique with firepit
Bangalay Luxury Villas	Luxury beachfront villas

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