Bundanoon is one of those places that quietly wins you over. Small town, big nature, zero pretension. It’s tucked into the Southern Highlands, about 1.5–2 hours south-west of Sydney, and it’s perfect for a laid-back weekend where the loudest thing is a cockatoo judging you from a tree.

The vibe:Think village green, old pubs, bookshops, walkers in hiking boots pretending they’re “just popping out for coffee,” and that crisp Highlands air that makes Sydney feel sticky and wrong.

What people come for:

• Morton National Park – This is the big drawcard. Bushwalks, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and lookouts that make you stop talking mid-sentence.

• Glow Worm Glen – Yep, actual glow worms. Go at dusk, don’t use a torch like a muppet, and you’ll see the rocks sparkle.

• Erisophia Falls & Fairy Bower Falls – Easy walks, great pay-off. Perfect “I did a hike” credibility with minimal suffering.

• Tooth & Co Reservoir – Short, scenic loop walk with a bit of history thrown in for free.

Food & drink:

• Bundanoon Hotel – Solid country pub. Nothing fancy, just does the job well.

• The Potting Shed Café – Good coffee, relaxed vibe, the sort of place where time accidentally disappears.

• Local bakeries & cafés – Not many, but they’re all decent. You won’t starve.

Where it shines:

• It’s quiet. Not “nothing’s open” quiet, just “I can hear my own thoughts again” quiet.

• It’s walkable. Park the car, forget about it.

• It’s season-proof. Autumn colours are brilliant, winter feels properly cosy, spring is green and smug, summer stays cooler than Sydney.

Best for:

• Couples weekends

• Easy bushwalking without hardcore survival energy

• Switching your brain off for 48 hours

• Anyone who likes nature but also likes a real bed and hot shower

Bundanoon doesn’t try to impress you — and that’s exactly why it works. It’s the kind of place you go “just for a night” and then quietly start checking real estate listings like an idiot.