Flavours of Summer in the Southern Highlands

Lisun Exotic Mushroom Tunnel tours,

This coming Australia Day weekend in the Southern Highlands sees a huge program of things to do and see.

Part of the ‘Flavours’ series of events held throughout the year, the program highlights the best of food and wine happenings offered by local foodies, producers and wineries round the region. Australia Day events and activities on Sunday 26 January include:

• Music in the Vines: Joadja Vineyards, Berrima. Join Sydney’s top blues group, the ‘Backsliders’. Visitors can taste the latest wine releases, picnic in the vines and listen to this fabulous group. Free entry. From 1.00pm. For more information, please visit: www.joadjawinery.com.au
• Lisun Exotic Mushroom Tunnel tours, Mittagong: Tour times: 10.30am and 12.30pm. Visitors can see an amazing display of exotics growing in this disused Railway Tunnel guided by guru Dr. Noel Arrold. Bookings essential. For more information, please visit info@highlandsfoodiegroup.com.au
• Hot Canary Gourmet Meats, Saturday 25 January, from 11.30am. Enjoy a BBQ with award winning Australian lamb sausages and salt bush lamb, check out the huge range of gourmet produce and products. Cnr. Station and Bowral Streets, Bowral.
• Australia Day Wine Celebration Tour with Highland Wine Tours from 8.30am, pick-up at accommodation. Visit Bousaada and Banjos’ Run Vineyards for tastings of the latest and most popular vintages, Joadja Vineyards’ for hot pizza and ‘Music in the Vines’ with top Sydney Blues Band ‘Backsliders’. From 1pm. Details: 0410590044. john@highlandswinetours.com.au
• Highland Gourmet Potatoes. Plus freshly picked plus seasonal vegetables. RoadsideStall open all weekend. Address is 46 Wildes Meadow Rd. Wildes Meadow (via Moss Vale or Bowral). Details: 041727767.
• Bernies Diner, Moss Vale. This new and acclaimed ‘50s USA style diner has the wonderful ambience. Open all weekend with a special Australia Day menu designed by Chef extraordinaire and Soda Jerk Guiliano ably assisted by Soda Jerk and Manager Ioannis. A family ‘affair’ dating back to the 1920s. 402 Argyle St. Moss Vale.
• Marist Wines, The Hermitage, Old South Rd. Mittagong. This superb century-old property is one of the most beautiful vineyards in the Highlands. Cellar Door is open all weekend – 11am to 4pm. Now tastings and sales: 2012 Pinot Noir and 2013 Cabernet Merlot. www.maristwines.com.au