A picturesque 90 minute drive from Sydney and a little under 2 hours from Canberra lies the Southern Highlands, a region known for its historic landmarks, national parks, lush countryside and quality local-grown food and wine.
The area is rich with unique experiences for delegates to delight in. From wine tasting to picturesque country adventures, conferencing in the Southern Highlands offers something for everyone. We asked the Events Specialists at Peppers Manor House and Peppers Craigieburn for their pick of the top 6 event experiences in the region, guaranteed to excite your guests:
A true celebration of local country produce, get back to nature with the signature outdoor dining experience on-site at Peppers Manor House. Our chefs infuse succulent whole pig and lamb with herbs from the estate’s own garden, and flame-roast them on the spit for 5+ hours. An 18-month-old butt of beef is sourced from the renowned local Mauger’s Farm, and cooked for 24 hours in an antique stone oven. The meats are carved on our antique table and block, and served to guests with a selection of fresh and locally harvested salads. The feast is served out on the terrace overlooking the roaring open fire and the beautiful estate gardens beyond.
Looking for a memorable way to switch off and relax with your group after a busy day of activities? Why not let the team arrange a campfire within the retreat’s grounds for you. Your guests can toast homemade marshmallows, sip on hot chocolate or indulge in a glass of port or a smooth local red, while our acoustic guitarist plays gentle campfire favourites in the background. A truly authentic country Australia experience.
No trip to the Southern Highlands would be complete without a tasting of the region’s premium cool climate wines. We can arrange a private wine tasting for your group in The Stables, our unique intimate 20 person venue converted from the estate’s former working stables. In this rustic setting, local producer Tertini Wines will introduce your guests to their award winning wines, ranging from crisp Rieslings to elegant Pinot Noirs. Savour the tastes of the Highlands with a paired cheese tasting arranged by our chefs, sourced from the best local cheese makers.
This is an experience that the gourmet aficionados of the group will talk about for years to come. We can arrange for your delegates to take part in a live hunt for nature’s culinary masterpiece, the French Black Perigord Truffle! Grown in the rich soil of the Southern Highlands and harvested during the winter months, the Yelverton Truffle farm is situated in a picturesque rural setting on 75 acres. After learning all about these underground treasures, the highly trained truffle dogs will guide your guests to discover and locate the rare and delicious truffle. Afterwards, guests can sample some truffle treats! A program can be tailored to suit your group requirements on request.
We can arrange for your group to take a night time walking tour to remember, with a ghost tour of the historic village of Berrima. Explore the history of this sleepy Southern Highlands town and be entertained by stories of bygone days where bushrangers wreaked havoc and floggings and hangings took place. Perfect for an after dinner group activity, your guests will soak up the atmosphere with tales of murder, misadventure and mystery. Prepare for the unexpected.
The perfect activity for VIP retreats, why not challenge your group to a round of golf on an 18-hole championship golf course? Adjacent to Peppers Manor House, Mt Broughton Golf & Country Club course is ranked in the top 100 courses in Australia by Golf Australia Magazine and is popular with golfers of all levels. Golfers will enjoy the lush greens, natural waterways and undulating fairways, complete with Highlands charm.