Berry Travel Guide: Cafes, Shopping & Weekend Escape
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Around two hours south of Sydney and under three hours from Canberra, Berry is known for its excellent cafes, boutique shopping, and relaxed village atmosphere.
This complete Berry travel guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect weekend escape, including the best cafes, restaurants, accommodation options and things to do.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with honest, practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the beaches we’ve swum at, the restaurants we’ve eaten at, the walks we’ve actually done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Is Berry worth visiting?
Yes – Berry has excellent cafes, boutique shopping, and easy access to both countryside and beaches (Kiama is only a 20 minute drive). It’s ideal for couples looking for a relaxed weekend escape or food lovers wanting quality regional dining.
Berry is close enough to Sydney for an easy escape, yet far enough away to feel removed from the hectic Sydney pace.
Why visit Berry?
- Excellent food and wine (especially for a small town)
- Easily walkable with peaceful rural surroundings
- Ideal for couples
- Lots of options for cottages and homes to stay
- An easy weekend escape – just 2 hours from Sydney and less than 3 hours from Canberra
Berry at a glance
| Distance from Sydney | 2 hours (driving) 154 km |
| Distance from Canberra | 2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours (driving) 216 km |
| Best for | Weekend escapes, romantic stays, foodie destination |
| Known for | Boutique charm, homewares and cafes |
| Ideal stay | 2-3 nights |
How long should you stay in Berry?
- Ideal stay: 2-3 nights
- Day trip from Sydney: possible (depending on the Sydney traffic) but rushed and wouldn’t recommend
- Long weekend: perfect
- 3+ nights: good if you’d like to use Berry as a base and then also explore destinations nearby
Best things to do in Berry
Walk Queen Street
Queen Street is an easily walkable strip with boutiques, bakeries and cafes. Homewares are a particular speciality and there are several small independent boutiques. Walking up and down Queen Street can easily take a half a day of coffees, browsing and lunch. A personal favourite is Moss Nest on Queen Street and this is a good spot to park nearby and start your wander through the shops.
Indulge in donuts and treats
The Berry Donut Van has been a Berry must-do since the 70s and nothing has changed. If a bag of piping hot cinnamon donuts isn’t enough of a sugar load, there’s also the Treat Factory, for homemade chocolates, lollies, milkshakes and gelato.
Explore the nearby countryside and beaches
Berry is set in a gorgeous part of NSW – with rolling hills, farmland and mountain views as you drive inland, and gorgeous coastal scenery to the east. Seven Mile Beach is just a 10-minute drive from Berry and Gerringong is only slightly further – about 15-20 minutes north.
Personal note: The road from Berry to Kangaroo Valley over Berry Mountain is quite winding in sections. It was closed in parts and we ended up on a few detours so good to check before setting off.
Wine tasting
The countryside surrounding Berry is home to several excellent wineries, making it easy to build a relaxed afternoon around tastings and scenic drives (designated driver permitting!). Popular options include Two Figs Winery, known for its elevated views across the Shoalhaven, Silos Estate for its historic setting and alpacas, and Mountain Ridge Wines, which pairs tastings with a restaurant overlooking the vines.
Tasting reservations are available at all three and are recommended on weekends.
Where to eat and drink in Berry
Berry has a fantastic selection of cafes and restaurants, all within an easy walk of (or on) Queen Street. Most restaurants are busy on the weekends so where possible it’s good to book to make sure you don’t miss out. Several are also closed early in the week (Monday/Tuesday).
- Fine dining: South on Albany
- Piping hot donuts: Berry Donut Van
- Breakfast and brunch: The Garden
- Casual beer and burger: Great Southern Hotel
- Bakery and takeaway: Milkwood Bakery
- Italian: Tre Bambini
Tucked around the corner on Albany Street, South on Albany offers a chef’s set menu of 3 courses. The set menu changes every couple of weeks and generally features modern Australian style dishes featuring regional food and wine.
Local’s tip: South on Albany does book out so we’d recommend making a reservation. The restaurant is also open twice a month for Sunday lunch so you may be able to snag one of these coveted spots if you are organised in advance!
Berry Donut Van: a dozen donuts from $23
A Berry institution, the donut van has been in Berry main street since the 70s. Stop here for hot cinnamon donuts and a takeaway coffee. The donuts are popular so depending on the time of day there can be a bit of a wait.
The Garden: breakfast $15 – $25, lunch $18 – $36
Relaxed spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch. At peak times (weekends, lunch) it does get busy but you can make a reservation or they have an electronic wait system so you can wander around the shops after you put your name down for a table. Our picks were the breakfast roll and the chicken sandwich.
Tre Bambini Italian & Seafood: pasta $28 – $40
Friendly Italian restaurant open 5 nights a week for dinner. The portions are generous and delicious and the service is friendly and efficient.
Great Southern Hotel: burgers $26 – $28
Casual pub with house-made pies and burgers. There’s a great deck area to enjoy a beer outside and check the queues at the nearby Donut Van.
Il Locale: lunch $20 – $30, dinner mains $26 – $45
Excellent local cafe open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Favourites include the prawn roll on the lunch menu and the orecchiette on the dinner menu. Fantastic coffee!
Where to stay in Berry
Accommodation in Berry is mostly country houses and cottages, rather than hotels, which may require a little more planning in advance unless you are travelling mid-week or off season. A few hotel and motel options are below and you’ll find plenty of additional options (including self-contained accommodation) on Booking.com and Stayz.
The Berry Inn
3 star inn in a great location close to town. We stayed in an upstairs room which was clean and spacious.
The Mandala Signature Berry
4 star motel right in the heart of Berry. Clean and comfortable with a pool area.
The Berry View
Recently renovated Palm Springs style motel around 10 minutes walk from Queen Street.
The Homestead
Predominantly a wedding venue, this gorgeous property also has 4 guest rooms and a standalone suite. The Homestead is around 15 minutes walk from Queen Street.
Best time to visit Berry
- Summer: trips to the nearby beach, ice creams and early morning walks
- Autumn: gorgeous autumn leaves, country drives
- Spring: wildflowers, sunny walks down Queen Street
- Winter: cosy dinners by the fire, rugged up walks through the boutiques, piping hot donuts
Personal note: We’ve always loved visiting Berry in Spring and Autumn. The weather is generally mild, a little cooler than Sydney, and comfortable for walking around town.
Perfect Berry itinerary options
2-day itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in time for a cafe brunch at the Garden → boutique shopping along Queen Street → afternoon beer and people watching at the Great Southern Hotel → dinner at Tre Bambini or South on Albany.
Day 2 – Slow breakfast → countryside or coastal drive → casual lunch at Il Locale → afternoon wine tasting → return to town for a relaxed evening.
3-day itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive and settle in → brunch at The Garden → boutique shopping along Queen Street → afternoon wine tasting at Two Figs → dinner at South on Albany
Day 2 – Cafe breakfast → drive to Seven Mile Beach for a coastal walk → picnic lunch with supplies from Milkwood Bakery → afternoon exploring Kiama’s Coastal Walk and blowhole → return to Berry for casual dinner at Great Southern Hotel
Day 3 – Berry Markets (if first Sunday) → late brunch → scenic drive through countryside to Kangaroo Valley → final donuts from Berry Donut Van before heading home
What Berry isn’t
Berry isn’t a beach destination – if coastal scenery, ocean pools, and beach swims are your priority, you’ll find those 20 minutes away in Kiama or Gerringong instead. It’s also not a place for nightlife or late-night entertainment. The town winds down early, making it perfect for relaxed evenings rather than lively nights out. While the countryside drives are scenic, some roads (like Berry Mountain to Kangaroo Valley) feature narrow, winding sections that may not suit all drivers.
How to get to Berry
From Sydney:
- Driving – 2 hours (approx 150 km)
- Train – Approx 3 hour train journey from Central Station, usually with a change at Kiama.
From Canberra:
- Driving – 2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours (216 km)
Local travel tip
Berry markets are on the first Sunday of every month, except February, at the Berry Showgrounds. There are around 200 stalls with arts and crafts, clothes, cakes, plants and some food stalls. Parking can be hard to come by so allow lots of time and be prepared to park a little way away and walk.
Berry is a favourite weekend destination for Sydneysiders, so consider booking midweek for a quieter experience. If visiting on the weekend then book any restaurants in advance to be sure you get a table. If visiting early in the week then you will find many of the restaurants closed on a Monday or Tuesday.
FAQs
It is usually colder in Berry than in Sydney, particularly during winter nights and early morning so it’s good to bring an extra layer. A reusable shopping bag also comes in handy for the homewares, clothing boutiques and markets.
Yes, Berry is a perfect weekend getaway for couples. There are lots of romantic, cosy and private accommodation options, either in the town or a short distance away in the countryside.
Seven Mile Beach National Park – Just a 10-minute drive from Berry, Seven Mile Beach offers a striking stretch of coastline ideal for long walks, picnics, and quiet ocean views.
Wineries – There are a few wineries within a short drive from Berry, including Two Figs, Silos Estate and Mountain Ridge. Wine tastings can be booked in advance.
Bundewallah Reserve Walking Track – this 2.1km out and back track is around 5km north of Berry. It’s steep in parts and doesn’t have a lot of signage so it’s good to have an app like AllTrails to stay on course. Limited parking.
Kiama – A 20-minute drive will get you to the seaside town of Kiama where you’ll find gorgeous coastal scenery, the Kiama Surf Beach, ocean pools for swimming and the Kiama blowhole.
Yes – Berry is absolutely walkable. It’s a small, flat town and the majority of the shops, cafes and restaurants are within a compact area. The Berry museum website has a map with details about historical sites of interest.
Parking can be tricky in Berry, especially at peak times, like weekends or market days. Allow plenty of time to find a spot and try the side streets.
Yes – Berry is worth visiting for a relaxed, country weekend escape. It’s close enough to Sydney and Canberra that it’s doable for a weekend, but also has a fantastic country atmosphere. While it’s a small town, there’s plenty of boutique shops and dining options.
If you’re deciding between Kiama and Berry, Kiama offers more dramatic coastal scenery, while Berry leans more toward boutique shopping and dining. We’ve found there is more family activity in Kiama, where Berry lends itself perfectly to romantic, couple or small group weekends.
Berry is ideal for:
- Couples seeking a relaxed weekend escape
- Food lovers
- Sydneysiders and Canberrans wanting countryside atmosphere without a long drive
- Travellers who enjoy boutique shopping and a slower pace
- Small groups looking for private cottage-style accommodation
Berry is close enough to Sydney that it makes an easy weekend-away destination but has a true countryside atmosphere. Whether you arrive for a spontaneous weekend or plan a slower stay in the surrounding countryside, it offers a refreshing change of pace without requiring a long journey.