Your wellness guide to the NSW Southern Highlands

The Highlands is full of people doing soulful, grounded work, and the Highlands Centre for Healing is a shining example. Their soul-stirring 2-night Equine Escape invites you into a space of deep connection, where horses become gentle mirrors for presence, emotional awareness and healing. These sessions aren’t about riding – they’re about relating. Through energy work and equine-assisted therapy, you’re guided into quiet understanding, heart-first connection and a feeling of being truly seen. Set on a peaceful, expansive property, it’s the kind of experience that grounds you in nature and stays with you long after you leave.

If you’re lucky, Nadya Hutagalung might just be offering her extraordinary sound healing sessions at the Southern Highlands Regional Gallery. These blissful sessions weave vibration, presence and deep rest into a soundscape that feels both grounding and otherworldly – an invitation to slow down, let go and listen with your whole being.

Creative energy runs deep in the Highlands – and Sarah Norton Creative is proof of that. A multidisciplinary artist and facilitator, Sarah offers intimate workshops that invite you to slow down, reflect and reconnect through painting, journaling or mixed media. It’s art with soul, grounded in nature and guided with genuine warmth.

At Sage Manor, the focus is full-being restoration. This boutique accommodation and retreat space hosts multi-day yoga escapes and immersive workshops designed to help you breathe, rest and come back to yourself. Nearby, Sinéad Quinn holds monthly ceremonies and retreats that weave cacao, breathwork, ritual and connection into deeply transformative spaces. It’s work that anchors you into your own heart, held by the nurturing arms of the Highlands.

Lisa West’s yoga therapy and movement classes blend science and soul. Her approach centres on breath, nervous system regulation and subtle yet powerful shifts that support long-term change – a true balm for modern-day busyness. And in Penrose, Kore Pilates offers a welcoming, personalised studio experience where form, strength and mindful movement come together. Whether you're brand new to reformer or rebuilding core strength, these classes are crafted for transformation that feels as good as it looks.

Food tastes different in the Highlands – fresher, fuller, somehow more alive. Maybe it’s the cool-climate soil, maybe it’s the care behind every ingredient. Either way, this region is a haven for slow food lovers, paddock-to-plate advocates and anyone who believes wellness begins on the plate.

We love Moonacres, where nourishment goes beyond what’s served. Yes, the café’s seasonal, paddock-to-plate menus are a drawcard – but their hands-on cooking classes are where the magic deepens. These immersive, hands-on classes run every weekend and celebrate seasonal produce and slow food principles. Expect to learn anything from cooking your favourite Indian street food to Ukrainian Varenyky dumplings. You can even take a guided tour of their regenerative farm with founder, Phil Lavers.

In the nearby historic town of Berrima, Eschalot delivers a fine-dining experience rooted in local produce, all set inside a charming heritage sandstone building. It’s a beautiful setting for long lunches and slow, celebratory dinners. Over at Osborn House, every meal feels like a special occasion. This luxurious retreat channels a refined yet rustic European lodge feel, with menus that hero local ingredients and showcase thoughtful presentation – all designed to delight both palate and plate.

If you’re lucky with timing, don’t miss the region’s beloved markets. The Exeter Village Market (first Saturday of every month) is brimming with fresh produce, artisan goods and local joy, while the Railway Street Farmers Market in Moss Vale (every Thursday, 3–5 pm) is the perfect spot to gather goodies straight from the growers.