Tour Overview

  • Duration: 2 Days 500km’s

  • Dates: 11th & 12th November 2026

  • Start Location: Rush Roasting Co. Bowral

  • Departure Time: 9:00 AM

  • Day One Lunch Stop: The Royal Mail Hotel Braidwood

  • Overnight Stay: Boutique accommodation at East Hotel

  • Dining Highlight: Agostinis Italian

  • Day Two Lunch Stop and Finish: Bistro Sociale (Berida Hotel) Bowral

 

Day One

Bowral to Canberra

Approx. 290 km

9:00am – Coffee in Bowral

Our tour begins in the beautiful Southern Highlands township of Bowral, famous for elegant gardens, boutique shopping and its association with cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman.

Meet fellow drivers over coffee before a briefing and departure.

  • Rush Roasting Co.

Bowral → Fitzroy Falls → Kangaroo Valley

Leaving Bowral we head south before descending through some of the finest roads in New South Wales towards Kangaroo Valley.

The road twists through towering eucalyptus forests before opening into lush dairy country and one of Australia’s most picturesque valleys.

Kangaroo Valley

One of Australia’s best preserved nineteenth-century villages.

The main street is lined with heritage buildings, cafés and country stores while the famous Hampden Bridge, completed in 1898, remains Australia’s last surviving timber suspension bridge.

This valley has changed remarkably little in over one hundred years.

Cambewarra Mountain Lookout

One of the true highlights of the drive.

The climb over Cambewarra Mountain delivers spectacular sweeping corners before reaching one of the South Coast’s most famous lookouts.

On a clear day the views extend across:

  • Nowra

  • Shoalhaven River

  • Seven Mile Beach

  • Coolangatta Mountain

  • Pacific Ocean

This is one of the best scenic viewpoints in New South Wales.

Nowra

Descending from Cambewarra brings us into Nowra, the commercial heart of the Shoalhaven.

Situated beside the Shoalhaven River, Nowra has long been an important regional centre supporting farming, timber and maritime industries.

We continue north-west towards the Southern Tablelands, climbing away from the coast through rolling farmland.

Braidwood

Lunch Stop

Established during the 1830s, Braidwood is regarded as one of Australia’s finest intact Georgian towns and was the first town in New South Wales to receive full heritage listing.

Many buildings seen today remain virtually unchanged from the gold rush era.

The town has appeared in numerous Australian films and television productions thanks to its authentic nineteenth-century streetscape.

Lunch

The Royal Mail Hotel

A classic Australian country pub offering:

  • Excellent steaks

  • Gourmet burgers

  • Schnitzels

  • Fresh local produce

  • Spacious beer garden

A favourite stop for touring groups and classic car clubs.

Bungendore

Only a short drive from Canberra lies the charming village of Bungendore.

Originally established as a coaching stop along the route between Sydney and the Snowy Mountains, today it is renowned for:

  • Historic stone buildings

  • Boutique galleries

  • Local wineries

  • Woodworks Gallery

  • Fine country cafés

It’s an ideal place for a quick coffee or stretch before the final drive.

Canberra

Entering Australia’s capital via wide tree-lined avenues offers a striking contrast to the country roads behind us.

Designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, Canberra remains one of the world’s few purpose-built capital cities.

Accommodation

East Hotel Canberra

One of Canberra’s highest-rated boutique hotels.

Features include:

  • Spacious apartment-style rooms

  • Secure undercover parking

  • Lock-up garage for prestige and classic vehicles

  • Walking distance to Kingston Foreshore

  • Modern luxury accommodation

Perfect for touring groups wanting both comfort and vehicle security.

Dinner

Agostinis Italian Restaurant

Located inside East Hotel

A long-time Canberra favourite serving authentic Northern Italian cuisine.

Highly recommended:

  • House-made pasta

  • Slow-cooked beef cheeks

  • Wood-fired specialties

  • Extensive Italian wine list

  • Traditional desserts

A relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect conclusion to a superb day’s driving.

Day Two

Approx. 210 km

Breakfast at East Hotel

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out and preparing for another enjoyable day on the road.

Canberra → Bungendore → Goulburn

Leaving Canberra we return through Bungendore before travelling north towards Goulburn.

Goulburn

Established in 1833, Goulburn proudly claims the title of Australia’s first inland city.

Rich in colonial architecture and pastoral history, it remains one of the country’s most significant regional centres.

Passing through town we continue onto quieter country roads.

Back Roads to Marulan

Rather than taking the Hume Highway, we follow scenic rural roads through grazing country and historic farmland.

This section offers relaxed driving with gentle sweepers, rolling hills and very little traffic—ideal touring country.

Marulan

Marulan occupies a unique place in world geography as the only town located directly on the 150th meridian east.

Originally established as an important coaching stop, it remains a quiet rural village surrounded by sheep and cattle country.

Bundanoon

Nestled on the edge of Morton National Park, Bundanoon is famous for its cool climate, beautiful gardens and relaxed village atmosphere.

Nearby Glow Worm Glen and Morton National Park attract visitors from around Australia.

The town is also home to the annual Brigadoon Highland Gathering.

Moss Vale

A classic Southern Highlands town surrounded by horse studs, vineyards and elegant country estates.

Moss Vale’s broad streets and heritage buildings reflect its long history as an important railway and agricultural centre.

The drive from Bundanoon to Moss Vale offers delightful country scenery and enjoyable flowing roads.

Bowral

Farewell Lunch

We return to Bowral where the tour concludes with lunch.

Lunch Venue

  • Bistro Sociale (Berida Hotel)

Bistro Sociale – Berida Hotel, Bowral

Located within the elegant Berida Hotel, Bistro Sociale is one of the Southern Highlands’ premier dining destinations. Set in a beautifully restored 1920s heritage hotel, it offers a relaxed European-style bistro atmosphere paired with exceptional modern Australian cuisine.

Using fresh local produce and complemented by an excellent selection of Southern Highlands wines, Bistro Sociale is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely farewell lunch and reflect on a memorable weekend of driving through some of New South Wales’ finest roads and historic towns.

After lunch everyone is free to make their own way home.

Cadence Sportz Driving Tour

Southern Highlands to Canberra Escape

Historic Roads | Scenic Mountain Passes | Country Pubs | Luxury Accommodation

 

A Classic Weekend Drive Through Southern New South Wales

Leave the everyday behind and experience one of Australia’s finest driving routes, combining winding mountain roads, historic villages, spectacular escarpments and some of the country’s best country hospitality.

This carefully selected route showcases everything enthusiasts enjoy—technical driving roads, breathtaking scenery, fascinating Australian history and excellent food. From the rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands to the towering escarpments above Kangaroo Valley, before crossing the Southern Tablelands into Australia’s capital, every kilometre has been chosen because it’s simply a fantastic road to drive.

The return journey follows quiet country roads through some of New South Wales’ oldest settlements, providing an enjoyable mix of sweeping bends, historic villages and relaxed touring.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tour Highlights

  • Historic Bowral

  • Kangaroo Valley

  • Hampden Suspension Bridge

  • Cambewarra Mountain Drive

  • Shoalhaven Lookout

  • Heritage-listed Braidwood

  • Country pub lunch

  • Bungendore village

  • Boutique accommodation at East Hotel

  • Dinner at Agostinis Italian

  • Australia’s first inland city—Goulburn

  • Scenic Southern Tablelands back roads

  • Bundanoon

  • Moss Vale

  • Southern Highlands countryside

Why You’ll Love This Tour

This weekend is all about driving roads that reward every enthusiast. Tight mountain climbs, sweeping country bends, dramatic escarpments and peaceful rural highways are paired with welcoming country towns, fascinating Australian history and exceptional hospitality. It’s a relaxed yet engaging escape that celebrates the joy of the drive as much as the destinations themselves—perfect for owners of classic cars, modern performance vehicles and grand tourers alike.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Enquire / Register Interest

To learn more about the Cadence Sportz Driving Tour, enquire about upcoming dates, or register your interest, please get in touch.

mark@cadencesportz.com.au

Curated driving experiences with purpose, flow, and style.