How To Float Your Love Boat In The Highlands

We love love here at The Fold and are big fans of Valentine’s Day and getting all mushy and starry-eyed with our significant other.

If you’ve been hit by Cupid’s Arrow, here are some ideas on how to ramp up the romance in the Highlands this Valentine’s Day.

Have a read below and check out all of the events here.

DINING OUT 

The universal day of love falls on a Wednesday this year and there is plenty of local events and venues to head to for a bit of romance and reconnection.

We are lovin’ that there are plenty of day time options for those that like an early night!

Bendooley Estate Larder is serving up a delish cheese & charcuterie tasting plate with 2 glasses of prosecco for $80 at their cellar door. Spaces are also available at the Book Barn for their summer lunch menu, so book a spot overlooking the gardens or nestled amongst the books inside, talk about romance!

Centennial Vineyards will also be open for lunch and you’ll be able to choose from their a la carte menu or go extra fancy with the chef’s menu, starting with bubbles followed by nibbles, main and dessert. There’ll also be the option for the lovely Centennial High Tea menu if you’re feeling like something a little different.

The STUNNING Osborn House dining areas both still currently have availability for Valentine’s Day. Try lunch or dinner at George’s for the welcoming and relaxed vibe and some miiiighty tasty drinks and eats. Or get elegant with dinner at Dinah’s, we are drooling over the sound of their shared menu and you probably will be too…. Just try not to drool on your date.

Chalk up some serious brownie points with a very special ballroom dancing class at Robertson Hotel followed by 3 courses of share plate deliciousness. And why not make a whole night of it, stay overnight and have a leisurely breakfast in bed……..hellloooo lover!

The Park Proxi will be serving up a four-course dinner with live music and a rose for all couples and Bistro Sociale still have spots left for their $95pp valentines feast. They have two sittings 6 pm + 830pm to cater for those of us who need to be in bed by 9 pm or those who don’t get started until then!!

If you’re looking to keep things more casual both Mittagong Hotel and Robertson Pub are running a special that includes a cheese platter, chocolate-covered strawberries and a glass of wine for only $20pp. Perfect for a romantic date or even a Galentine’s affair.

And to mix learning a love together, why not book in for the Valentine’s cocktail affair at Merrigangs? With a hands-on cocktail-making class and grazing menu to share, we reckon this is a fun way to add a little twist to your classic V. Day fun.

If you want a super-cool setting, no set menu, relaxed vibes, delicious food and cocktails? Book yourselves a table at Flour Bar at their No Rules Valentine’s Day – love that! While you’re at it, check out their V Day gift vouchers ‘”Have a coffee with me” or “Have a cocktail with me” – great way to ask out your crush [or a super-cool last mingift idea, too!]

Click here for a list of Valentine’s Day dinners, lunches and specials happening across the Highlands.

DO IT OUTDOORS

The best thing about Valentine’s Day in the southern hemisphere is daylight saving! It won’t get dark until after 8pm, so head to your favourite lookout or picnic spot, and get down and well…not dirty because you’ll have a lovely picnic rug to sit on.

Fill up the picnic basket with nibblies from Cheese Etc, a delicious tipple from one of our local wineries, breweries or distilleries, like Millsheds, SoHi Spirits, Eden Brewery or Renegade Spirits, and some baked treats and pastries from local fave Gumnut Patisserie. Don’t forget to pick up some choccies from Ms Peacock or Bowral Pure Chocolate as well… because is it even Valentine’s Day without chocolate? We’re not sure!

Or you can let the Bendooley Estate Larder team do all the work for you and pre-order a large or small picnic hamper [go the large – it has a bottle of their wine in it!!] – filled with salads, wraps and sweet treats. Or you can pick up some yummy fresh salads from Yianni’s Takeaway in Bowral. Hot tip: they also do a pretty good fish and chippies too. Now all that’s left is to pick a Highlands picnic spot to park up at, and there are some gorge ones to choose from.

NON-FOODIE FROLICS

If your life doesn’t revolve around food and wine, no problem! Empire Cinema in Bowral is always a date night favourite.

Or head out during the day and pop a pair of those sexy bowling shoes on at Highlands Entertainment Centre – if your significant other can love you in those things, they’re a keeper!

For a different kind of romantic axe-perience, Highlands Hatchets are hosting a Valentine’s day couples tournament so you can find out if you and your partner really make the chop [hehe get it]. Spots are limited so get bookin’ fast.

If you and your partner bond over a love of the great outdoors, pack the backpack with protein bars, sangas and fresh fruit, and go for a hike, swim, ride or chase some waterfalls – you’ll find loads of inspo about where to head on our Outdoors & Adventures Hub.

Need some quiet and relaxing couple time? Head to City Cave Bowral for a couples float, sauna or flauna [that’s both]. A slightly different way to get sweaty on Valentine’s Day but still awesome for burning calories!

Endota Spa in Bowral also have a Couples Indulgence experience on their delicious spa menu. Think two hours of massage, facials, footbaths, scalp massage [how gooooood is a scalp massage??] and more. Heaven…..

CLEAN SHEETS AND SLEEP-INS

How good is it to sneak away from reality for 24 hours surrounded by the four walls of a beautiful, quiet hotel room?

Wrap yourselves in fluffy bathrobes, snuggle down into fresh linen, turn the TV on and order a BLT – no interruptions and no kids! Now, that’s OUR idea of romance! Here’s a list of local hotels to sneak away to.

BRUNCH OUT

We love a delicious brunch at The Fold and gazing into each other’s eyes over waffles, pancakes, coffee, and poached eggs. Make a date with your significant other to catch up at a local café. Here’s a list for you to choose from.

Some of our faves……

• Mexican baked eggs at Berrima’s General Store & Cafe [pick up some of their delicious bread while you’re there]
• Load up on a traditional English breakfast at Wingello Village Store .
• Kaffeine Bowral’s Nutella Ferrero Rocher French Toast… because if you can’t eat choccy for brekkie on Valentine’s day, when can you?
• Take a seat on the verandah of Hearth by Moonacres looking across to Ngununggula – Southern Highlands Regional Art Gallery. We love how the menu changes regularly based on seasons and produce they get their hands on. ALWAYS something different and delicious.
• Raw & Wild’s, Wild Acai Bowl! – can be just as romantic as dinner by candlelight, we reckon!

IN-HOUSE ROMANCE

Can’t get a babysitter?

Create your own antipasto platter by sourcing some pretty delicious and spesh bits and bobs from these local deli’s.

Pair this antipasto yumminess with a bottle of something special from the one of our local wineries and maybe end your in-house date night with something from Ms. Peacocks Chocolatier – who literally sell boxes of joy [think buttercrunch toffee, freckles, pralines and other sensational goodies] or Bowral Pure Chocolate, who’ve got choccy love hearts for you and your sweetheart.

You’re not allowed to marry chocolate, are you? Just checking for a friend….

Enjoy luvahhhhhhs!