When it comes to picturesque holiday destinations, few compare to the Southern Highlands, NSW. Blanketed in farms, award-winning gardens and cool-climate wineries, the area has a carefully cultivated reputation for privacy, luxury, gastronomy and natural beauty. 

Around 90 minutes south of the CBD – but a world away from the bustle of the big city – it’s arguably one of the best road trips from Sydney. We got behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ SUV to explore the region for ourselves.

With its metallic paintwork, distinctive new tail-light graphics and glossy new radiator grille featuring a constellation of Mercedes-Benz stars, the new all-electric EQA SUV makes for a stylish travelling companion – and the extended NEDC-tested range of 578km means it’s more than equipped to handle this next adventure. Stepping inside, the illuminated door sill panels (available as part of the Advanced package) light the way to the high-quality interior.

Mountain high

One of the best ways to see the raw natural beauty of the Southern Highlands is from above, which is why the first stop on our journey is Mount Gibraltar Reserve in Bowral. At around 864 metres, Mount Gibraltar is the highest point between Sydney and Canberra, and offers a glorious prospect of the surrounding region.

The journey from Sydney to Bowral is a leisurely one, made even more so when driving in Comfort mode. As the default driving mode, Comfort offers well-balanced transmission and a suspension and steering setup that’s optimised for smooth, effortless cruising. As the EQA SUV sails along the highway, you can relax into the premium AMG Line interior, and use the intuitive touch control buttons on the newly designed multifunction sport steering wheel to set the speed or distance control. 

Taking the Mittagong exit, you’ll soon hit the bottom of the mountain pass. This is the perfect time to switch to Sport mode for sharper steering, stiffer suspension, refined shift points and enhanced throttle response. The EQA SUV instantly becomes more responsive and agile as it navigates the winding road, curving gently into the corners and providing a more involved driving experience.

There are various lookouts on the mountain, but Mount Jellore Lookout is considered the best in terms of its views. The short snaking road up to the lookout is lined with ragged bush and scruffy eucalypts – a pleasing contrast to the manicured gardens, sweeping farmlands and small boutique vineyards below. 

Bowral in bloom 

When you’re ready to do a little more exploring (or the caffeine cravings start to kick in), head back down the mountain and into the centre of Bowral – the region's main tourist hub. The high street is lined with beautiful little cafes and eateries. Once you’ve found a place to park (the EQA SUV’s Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC feature will be sure to help you locate one), grab a coffee and a breakfast burrito from The Press Shop, or start your day on the sweet side with some delicious paper-thin crispy crepes from Franquette.

When you’re successfully re-energised, browse local galleries like Milk Factory Art Gallery and Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery. Another not-to-be-missed Bowral icon is local vintage collective Dirty Janes, filled with antiques, repurposed second-hand goods, artisanal treasures and vintage handmade furniture. 

Most visitors come in September for the annual Bowral Tulip Time Flower Festival, when Corbett Gardens blooms with over 80,000 tulips and 15,000 annuals. But no matter what the season, the charming township offers an incredible wealth of gardens worth exploring. These include the National Trust-maintained Retford Park gardens in Bowral, Red Cow Farm in Sutton Forest, and the 15-hectare Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens – all easily accessible by car. 

But it’s not all about beating about the bush. From Bowral, you can head towards Berrima, which is around 10-15 minutes away. 

As you navigate the country roads, the EQA SUV delivers a smooth drive. And if you’re taking turns in the driver’s seat, the comfort seats with memory function let you store and select your comfort preferences for a more seamless and relaxing experience. 

Timeless Berrima 

The Southern Highlands is often referred to as ‘Sydney’s Cellar Door’, but that doesn’t quite do justice to the quality drinks crafted by the 20 wineries, distilleries and breweries in the area. 

One of the best to visit is Bendooley Estate. Along with a wine room and a series of luxurious cottages, the estate is home to an excellent restaurant situated among the stacks of the much-loved Book Barn. Conveniently, Bendooley also has a series of EV chargers on site, making it the perfect place to top up the EQA SUV’s range and break for lunch. Settle among the stacks of the Book Barn and enjoy a selection of delectable dishes – woodfired flatbread, slow-cooked beef short ribs, pan-seared Atlantic salmon and za’atar roasted cauliflower steak are just a few on offer. 

From there, it’s time to head into the tiny historic village of Berrima. Dating back to the 1830s and featuring an incredible cluster of sandstone buildings, the town has carved a niche as a gastronomic destination, offering everything from the artisanal sourdough and rustic carrot cake at Baked in Berrima, to fine dining at Eschalot and pub fare at the Surveyor General Inn, Australia’s oldest continuously licensed inn.

Harper’s Mansion is Berrima’s core attraction. Overlooking the village, the colonial 1830s Georgian residence is set on two acres of land and features one of the largest hedge mazes in Australia. You could spend hours strolling through the gardens and losing yourself in the maze – after which, local accommodation is available at the beautifully quaint Hillside Cottage.  

Vine time

In the morning, enjoy a coffee on the cottage veranda overlooking the rose garden, before taking the EQA SUV further south over the river. If it’s a glorious sunny day, open up the panoramic sunroof and turn up the volume on the Burmester® surround sound system with Dolby Atmos® to make the most of the drive. 

Be sure to stop at Mount Ashby Estate. A former dairy, the estate boasts hand-picked vineyards and a French-themed restaurant serving home-made soup and charcuterie boards. It is also home to grazing cattle and a flock of very inquisitive geese.

With plenty of charge to spare, it’s an easy decision to head further south to the spectacular Fitzroy Falls, part of Morton National Park in the Kangaroo Valley. A short walk down an accessible track will take you through forest to the edge of the escarpment, where the falls plunge 81 metres to the valley below. A truly breathtaking location, there are plenty of walking tracks to explore and native birds and wildlife to spot. 

With the EQA SUV’s newly designed 20” AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels now happily covered in a thick blanket of dust from the crushed gravel driveways and country roads, it’s a timeless place to end our road trip – or discover what’s around the next corner.