Personalised wine tour experience in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands

Wine country, your way. This six-hour private outing through the NSW Southern Highlands gives you room to shape the day around wineries, cafes, picnic stops, and local sights. With Peter at the wheel, you avoid a crowded bus and travel with only your own group, up to four people.

I like the private vehicle for up to four and the way the route can change to suit your interests. I also like that Bradman Museum entry is included, giving the day more variety than a string of cellar doors.

The main consideration is the flexible format. Your exact winery list is decided with Peter, so this suits people who enjoy a relaxed, personal day more than anyone seeking a fixed timetable with every tasting and meal arranged in advance.

Key points to know before booking

• Peter drives and guides the day: You get a local host who can introduce you at each winery and help shape the route.
• The group is capped at four people: This is a private outing, not a shared coach tour.
• Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines may be included: These are among the boutique wineries available on the route.
• Bradman Museum entry is included: A useful change of pace from wine tasting, especially for cricket fans.
• The day can include cafes and picnic places: Peter can point you toward spots less obvious to people new to the region.
• The tour begins at 10:00 am and lasts about six hours: Pickup is offered, but confirm the exact meeting arrangement when booking.

A private Southern Highlands day with room to choose

The best thing about this tour is not simply the winery access. It is the lack of a rigid script. You can discuss what interests you with Peter and build a day around boutique wine, country scenery, food stops, cricket, or a mix of all four.

That flexibility matters in the Southern Highlands. You may want several wineries, while someone in your group may prefer a long cafe stop or a museum visit. A private car lets you adjust the pace instead of waiting for a large group to finish at every stop.

The maximum group size is four people. That makes this a strong choice for couples, a small family, or a few friends travelling together. You are not sharing the vehicle with strangers, and Peter can speak directly with your group about the places you visit.

This is also a chauffeur service, so nobody in your party needs to drive after wine tasting. That practical point adds real value, particularly for a group that wants to enjoy the wineries without assigning one person as the driver.

Starting at the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre

The Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre is listed as one of the tour stops, with about an hour available there. Admission is free. It gives you a useful place to get your bearings and talk through the shape of the day.

This stop can work in two ways. You may use it as a formal starting point before heading to the wineries, or as a chance to discuss local options with Peter. Since the tour is built around personal choice, this is where you can make the route feel like your own rather than following a standard circuit.

The centre also helps if you are unfamiliar with the region. You can ask Peter about cafes, picnic areas, and boutique cellar doors that are not always obvious on a first visit. The tour information specifically points to places less known to people who do not live locally, which is one reason the private format has an advantage over a basic sightseeing transfer.

Do not expect this to be a long guided museum-style visit at the information centre. The point is orientation and local planning. If you already know which wineries you want, you may prefer to keep this stop brief and spend more time elsewhere.

Choosing boutique wineries in the Highlands

The wine portion is the heart of the day. Peter takes you toward boutique wineries in the Southern Highlands, with Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines named as possible stops. The wording matters: these are options, not a guaranteed fixed sequence.

That approach gives you a chance to discuss your preferences before setting off. You can tell Peter if you want a more wine-focused day, a scenic outing with only a few tastings, or a balanced plan with food and local sights. The tour is designed to show what is described as the Highland Difference, meaning the character of this cooler regional wine area and its smaller producers.

At each winery, Peter can introduce you personally. That is more helpful than being dropped at a cellar door and left to work out the arrangements alone. One particularly useful detail is that he has also made a lunch reservation for a couple on a previous outing, so you can ask about meal planning before the day begins.

The supplied details do not say that tastings or lunch are included in the $175.72 per-person price. Treat the listed price as payment for the private tour service and the included Bradman Museum entry, then confirm any tasting, meal, or other admission costs before you go.

The winery choices may change according to opening hours, your interests, and the pace of the day. That can be an advantage, but it also means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed list of cellar doors. If Tertini or Sutton Forest Estate Wines is essential to your plan, ask Peter or Highland Vines to confirm availability.

Why the private vehicle makes a difference

A six-hour wine tour can feel rushed when you are sharing a coach. One stop runs late, someone needs an extra break, and the whole group waits. Here, only your party takes part, so the day has more breathing room.

The private vehicle also suits people with mixed interests. One person can enjoy the wineries while another looks forward to the Bradman Museum or a cafe stop. Peter can help combine those interests rather than forcing everyone into a single theme.

Pickup is offered, but the published start time is 10:00 am and the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre is named as a meeting point. Confirm where Peter will collect you, especially if you are arriving by public transport or staying outside the usual pickup area.

A previous outing paired the tour with an XPT journey from Sydney to the Highlands. That shows the experience can fit into a wider day plan from Sydney, but you should check train times and the precise meeting details yourself before committing to that arrangement. The tour information only confirms that it begins at 10:00 am, not how long your journey to the meeting point will take.

Adding the Bradman Museum to a wine day

Entry to the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame is included. This is a welcome change of pace and gives the tour a clear point of interest beyond wine.

The museum is especially useful if your group includes a cricket fan. Even if wine is your main reason for booking, a cultural stop can break up the tastings and make the day work better for people with different interests.

The museum also gives the itinerary a local identity. This is not just a generic country drive with wineries added on. The Southern Highlands has strong connections to Sir Donald Bradman, and the museum provides a way to connect the outing with that regional story.

The available information does not specify how long Peter spends at the museum or the exact order of stops. That is another reason to discuss your priorities at the start. If the museum matters to you, say so early rather than hoping it appears at the ideal time.

Cafes, picnic spots, and the value of a slower stop

The tour can include cafes and picnic spots, including places that may not be well known to people from outside the area. This is one of the more appealing parts of the experience for anyone who wants a day in the Highlands rather than a checklist of tastings.

A cafe or picnic stop gives you time to pause between wineries. It also lets you set the pace. You might prefer a proper lunch, a short coffee break, or an outdoor stop if the day suits it. Peter can help direct those choices because the route is not locked into one standard plan.

Lunch arrangements are not automatically described as included. Peter has arranged a lunch reservation before, so it is sensible to ask whether he can do the same for your group and what costs you will pay directly.

The picnic option is also worth discussing if you want to keep the day simple. Ask what food arrangements are available, since no picnic supplies are specified. The strength here is local guidance, not a prepacked meal service.

What Peter adds to the experience

The guide can make or break a private tour. Peter, also referred to as Pete, is presented as both driver and local guide. His role goes beyond taking you from one address to the next.

He personally introduced one group at each winery and arranged their lunch reservation. Those are small actions, but they matter. You spend less time wondering where to go and more time enjoying the place you have chosen.

Peter’s local knowledge is most useful when your group has not made a detailed plan. You can arrive with broad interests and let the day take shape through a conversation. Tell him if you care most about boutique wine, cafes, picnic stops, the museum, or seeing a broad slice of the Highlands.

This style will suit you if you like human contact and informal guidance. It may be less suitable if you want a formal wine educator delivering detailed notes at every tasting. The information focuses on local hosting and driving, not on a specialist sommelier-led lesson.

Price, group size, and what you receive

The listed price is $175.72 per person. With four people, that works out to $702.88 at the listed rate for the whole private group. That is not a budget bus tour price, but the comparison is not quite like for like.

You are paying for a private vehicle, a chauffeur, a local guide, a flexible six-hour route, and entry to the Bradman Museum. You also avoid the inconvenience of driving between wineries. For four people sharing the booking, the cost can make more sense because the entire vehicle and guide service are dedicated to your group.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a fixed winery transfer and do not care about personal planning, local cafe suggestions, or the museum. A shared tour may suit that need better, if one is available for your dates.

Remember that the supplied details do not confirm that winery tastings, food, or cafe purchases are covered. Ask for a clear outline of extra costs so the per-person price does not surprise you later.

Who should book this Southern Highlands tour?

I would point this tour toward people who value flexibility over a fixed schedule. It fits couples and small groups of friends who want to talk through the day with one local guide and travel without strangers.

It also suits a group with mixed interests. The wineries are central, but the museum, cafes, and picnic stops give non-wine activities a place in the plan. Cricket fans get a particularly strong reason to add the Bradman Museum.

The experience is a good match for visitors arriving from Sydney who want to combine public transport with a private Highlands outing. The XPT example shows that this can work, although you must check your own rail connection and meeting point.

I would be more cautious if your group needs a guaranteed winery timetable, fixed tasting inclusions, or a formal wine lesson. You should also confirm the exact pickup details and any extra charges before booking.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, the area is near public transportation, and the operator states that most people can participate. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private day with a local driver, a flexible route, and enough variety to include wineries, food stops, countryside sights, and the Bradman Museum. Peter’s personal introductions and willingness to help with lunch planning add useful polish to the day.

Skip it if you want every winery, tasting, meal, and departure detail fixed before you arrive. For everyone else, the combination of a small group, no need to drive, and local choice makes the $175.72 price reasonable, especially when four people share the private outing.

FAQ

How long does the wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 am.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private vehicle is for a maximum of four people, and only your group participates.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre is also listed as a meeting point, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

Which wineries can the tour visit?

Possible winery stops include boutique producers such as Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines. The exact choices are decided with Peter according to your interests.

Is entry to the Bradman Museum included?

Yes. Entrance to the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame is included.

Can the tour include cafes and picnic spots?

Yes. The route can include cafes and picnic spots, including places less familiar to people who are not local residents.

Are wine tastings and lunch included in the price?

The provided details do not state that tastings or lunch are included. Confirm those costs before booking.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.