Here are some fab ideas for a hen’s celebration in the Highlands, no matter what kind of fun you plan on having!!!
FOR THE HEN WHO…
Wants a girls’ night away from the hustle and bustle
First stop, High Street Arcade in Bowral for beautiful cheese from Cheese etc and lots of delicious sweet treats from Bowral’s Sweets & Treats.
Then head to Bendooley Estate Larder or IL Topolino Alimentari/Delicatessen in Mittagong to load up on everything you need to create one helluva grazing platter before heading to one of the Highlands’ incredible holiday homes.
We’re loving Alba House in Robertson which has room for up to 12 guests, an internal fireplace, a free-standing bath and a reading room!!! It’s also only a 5 minute drive from Pecora Cheese and Wine for even more yummy goodies.
And it will be super hard to leave the luxurious surroundings of Alba House so in-home catering is the go. Check out some of the Highlands’ small group caterers here.
Black Hen Kitchen specialise in boutique catering for small gatherings and weekends away. Think seasonal Highlands produce and delicious, traditional home cooked meals made from scratch. Soooo good. Bec books out quickly, so get in early to lock her in for a deliciously creative feast.
Or if takeaway is your thing, The Highlands has quite the mix of cafes and restaurants that do everything from pizza to delicious fresh Thai.
Robertson Public House and Kitchen is also worth a visit for some cheeky bevvies and a fab spot for a chill and chat sesh.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // Alba House
FOR THE HEN WHO…
Loves a night out on the town
You’ll start at The Imperial Hotel Bowral, with amazing traditionally cooked wood fire pizzas and cocktails to match.
When you’re ready, you’ll walk less than a block to the Royal Hotel. Here you can have a few wines and a dance to the live band that starts at 8:30pm on Saturday nights! It doesn’t matter if you don’t have your comfy heels on because it’s only a short walk from pub to pub but you’ve also got a night of dancing ahead of you! And vodka, lime and sodas, soo many vodka, lime and sodas.
Or check out this article we whipped up on Bars Of The Southern Highlands for some more fun hen’s night options – we loooooved doing the research for that one! You’ll also find some great accommodation options here too.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // The Imperial Motel
FOR THE HEN WHO…
Loves getting creative and and her hands dirty
Corinne Dany Studios runs regular fun Paint n Sip workshops as well as Life Drawing classes and monthly sketch clubs. Darling Mills Studio in Mittagong also have their Cake & Create workshops, where the ladies can get crafty whilst eatin’ cake… win-win!
In Robertson, you’ll find Green Door Studios who run fabulous classes across all sorts of arty mediums. Ashton Park in Mossy has loads of wonderful workshops including basket weaving and mosaic making.
To shake things up [literally] have a look at the awesome cocktail making classes from Trolley’d, the Highlands’ very own mobile bar service. There are different private party packages to suit your hens’ group needs, including sans alcohol options.
And here’s a list of lots of other workshops held across the Highlands to get your creative juices flowing.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // The Residence At Berrima Vault House
FOR THE HEN WHO…
Wants it all! She also loves to hand over the reigns and let someone else organise all the finer details
You’ll be picked up by the Highlands Tour Co for a jam packed day of allllll the things! We love the sound of the Brides Delight tour which includes visits to some fabulous local wineries [you will NOT leave empty handed that’s for sure!] and a high tea – yum!
If you’re up for creating your own itinerary, check out our Cellar Doors of the Southern Highlands article, choose some of your faves to visit and then check out this list of local chauffeur and hire car companies that can ferry the girls around in everything from a super sleek car through to a bus.
Our pick for a fabulous long lunch? Bendooley Estate’s unique Book Barn – the food is awesome, the service is slick and the wine…..well, it’s all goooood but their bubbles is our favourite….oh, and if it’s in the warmer months, book a table outside. If the hen’s celebration is in the cooler months, ask for a table by the open fire.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // Bendooley Estate Cottages
FOR THE HEN WHO…
Appreciates a seriously fantastic meal and goooood wine
If your hen loves a bit of fine dining then Eschalot Restaurant is a winner- enjoy a shared tasting menu full of mouthwatering bites. Or go all out at Ethos at Links House with options for 2 or 3 courses. We totally vouch for the full 3-course experience!
Bistro Sociale at the Berida Hotel is another fab option for your foodie bride-to-be. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the premises once you’re there! Start at Gin Trading Co. for a delicious aperitif or cheeky cocktail, then head into the restaurant for delicious, European inspired cuisine. Follow it up with a sneaky whisky in Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge for a post dinner tipple.
And don’t forget to check out The Hideout Bar & Grill in Mittagong for some tasty classics and classy cocktails.
Or for something completely different, check out The Ultimate Bowral Hen’s Party which starts with High Tea at Centennial Vineyards followed by some wine sampling at the Centennial Vineyards Cellar Door. You’ll then head to Corbett Gardens and follow the clues for the next couple of hours on a fun treasure hunt! Bonus? Your goal is to end up at a myster pub at the end – fun!
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // Berida Hotel
FOR THE HEN WHO..
Doesn’t mind some retail therapy
Mittagong has some gorgeous shops and plenty of local cafes on the main strip, so an afternoon spent shopping and caffeinating [in whatever order you prefer!] is a fun way to bond with the bride-to-be. The Fold loves Barbara’s Storehouse for its unique homewares, Twisting Vintage for some amazing and funky vintage finds, PURAVIDA Activewear for on point and super stylish casual gear, and there’s The Eco Shop for all the eco-friendly and sustainable goodies.
If you’re looking to take the guesswork out of your shopping trip you can even book a private tour with Southern Highlands Boutique Tours, taking you to all the shopping stops as well as art galleries, private gardens, cellar doors and more.
For other fab spots for some retail therapy have a squiz at our shopping directory.
End the afternoon with a visit to Glass Cafe & Bistro for some super delicious cocktails and vinos, fabulous food and great views from the verandah overlooking all the green goodness of The Highlands Golf Club.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // Springs Mittagong
FOR THE HEN WHO…
Keeps active and loves the outdoors
If you can keep up with your fabulously fit hen, take advantage of the awesome bushwalks we have in the Highlands. Bundanoon’s Erith Coal Mine Walk or Glow Worm Glen and the super challenging but totally rewarding Clover Hill Trail are just some of our favourites. The walk up to Katoomba Lookout from Lake Alexandra is also a glute-burner and will take care of any extra hen’s weekend eating and drinking calories.
Or if your bride-to-be loves doing it on two wheels, hire bikes from The Fixed Wheel – mountain bikes, road bikes and E-Bikes – and hit some of the awesome trails we have in the Highlands.
To keep the outdoor celebrations going you can book a gorgeous picnic at Links House or Peppers Manor House then sit back for some top notch al fresco eats and sips.
Links House is also right across from Bowral Golf Club for a bit of gold action. Here’s a list of other awesome golf clubs around the Highlands you can check out too.
And for another type of fun on the green check out Bowral Bowling Club for some classic and fun barefoot bowls.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP HERE // Moss Manor
So no matter what kind of send off to married life you’re after, there is something in the Southern Highlands for you! If you’re game, make a weekend of it and merge some ideas together! Happy Hens to YOU!!
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