Mark’s hit list

9am: A country breakfast

Guests in the OLD BANK HOTEL’s elegant dining room are treated to a hearty, country breakfast with fresh orange juice from the orchard and eggs from farm chickens (1). oldbankhotel.com.au

10am: Go for a stroll

We always recommend going for a short stroll to nearby LAKE ALEXANDRA, to feed the ducks and enjoy the scenery of this pretty little lake nestled below Mount Alexandra in the heart of town (2).

11am: Step back in time

Next door to us, the MITTAGONG ANTIQUES CENTRE is brimming with treasures (3). It’s one of the best antiques stores in the region, which is saying something. mittagongantiquescentre.com.au

1pm: Time for lunch

ONESTA CUCINA in Bowral, five minutes away, is one of the best Italian restaurants in the Highlands (4). Open for lunch Thursday to Saturday, it serves exceptional, authentic food. onestacucina.com.au

2pm: Scenic drive

After lunch, take a drive up to the lookouts on top of MOUNT GIBRALTAR, which affords views of both Mittagong and Bowral.You can gaze across the Highlands and to Sydney on a clear day.

3pm: Antiques galore

Head to the beautiful new precinct in Bowral called The Acre to visit the stunning, new-look DIRTY JANE’S vintage and antiques centre, and its neighbouring cafes and nursery (5). dirtyjanes.com

5pm: A glass or two

The Highlands boasts so many great, cold-climate wineries; one of our favourites is BENDOOLEY ESTATE (6).The iconic BERKELOUW BOOK BARN is there as well as a cellar door, restaurant and lovely gardens. bendooleyestate.com.au

7pm: Dinner at Josh’s

We love Josh’s Cafe in Berrima, 15 minutes away, for dinner from Thursday to Saturday.The cuisine is Mediterranean inspired and never fails to please.

Bedtime: Make your escape

Back at the Old Bank Hotel, enjoy a complimentary port from the wine cellar (housed in the old vault) in front of our log fires before retiring upstairs to a sumptuous suite (7). oldbankhotel.com.au