Nestled in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Berrima is a picturesque village clustered with colonial sandstone buildings. It was originally occupied by the Dharawal people and settled by Europeans in the early 19th century. Today, it is located on the Old Hume Highway that connects Sydney and Canberra.
Stroll through Berrima to admire its beautiful sandstone buildings and see Australia’s oldest continuously licensed watering hole, the Surveyor General Inn. Built in 1839 is the Old Berrima Gaol, which is now listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register. Berrima is also home to historic churches that include the Gothic Revival-style St Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Don’t miss the Berrima Courthouse, which was built in the 1830s using convict labour. Designed by Mortimer Lewis in a Roman style, it features impressive Doric columns and a classical pediment. Step inside to experience the audio-visual exhibit “Treachery, Treason & Murder”.
Getting there
Berrima is around 10 minutes’ drive from Bowral and just under two hours from the centre of Sydney. Sydney Airport is 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Berrima and the village is small enough to explore on foot.