'I found the perfect NSW girls' trip destination, and chances are you've driven right past it.'

If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE.

There is just something about a girl's trip that hits different. I recently returned from the most cup-filling girls' weekend away, in which we laughed until we cried and literally had LBL (if you know, you know).

Life has a way of getting in the way, and we hadn't all caught up together properly in months. This trip was our opportunity to fix that. We dressed up in costumes and danced in our commune. We made mimosas and breakfast in the mornings. We hired a bus and went on a winery crawl. We did face masks and shared beds.

Watch: Reason, season, lifetime friendships. Post continues below.

And in the process, I discovered a new favourite place that's been right on my doorstep this whole time.

Welcome to the group chat, Bowral. Nestled in the heart of the Southern Highlands of NSW, I learnt from our bus driver "Tricky Ricky" that it's actually renowned as one of the best destinations for a girls' weekend.

Brimming with wineries, boutique experiences, spa and wellness retreats — and with easy access to Sydney and Canberra — Tricky Ricky told us it's really popular for hen's parties, babymoons and a good ol' fashioned gals weekend away.

How to get to Bowral.

NSW hinterlands and face masks while travelling a must. Image: Supplied.

It's just a 90-minute drive from Sydney via the M31 motorway.

But for this trip, I took the direct train from Central Station for $20 — complete with a meal service and a bar cart — and within two hours, I was in the heart of Bowral. Even better, the train home was actually hilarious and added to the fun of the trip.

Where to stay in Bowral.

There were 10 of us on the trip, and we all stayed at a property called 'Bowral Escape' that we found on Booking.com, which was really fabulous.

There are a range of options for accommodation in the area, and they can suit whatever your vibe is — think picturesque country estates, luxury resorts and hotels, as well as affordable motels and cosy guesthouses, with budget options starting from $104 per night.

Where to go in Bowral.

Osborn House.

Super fancy, super lush Osborn House. Image: Supplied

We splashed out the first night and went to Osborn House for drinks and nibbles. Every room is different, and the architecture is out of this world.

Surrounded by lush gardens and rolling hills, it feels exclusive yet convivial. The atmosphere is "laid-back luxe" — think English countryside farmhouse with playful, designer touches and vintage furnishings.

They have spa and wellness packages with massages, facials, a sauna, steam room and an indoor pool. And if you're really splashing out, you can even stay there. A room for two adults typically starts around $499 per night, with luxury options up to $1,000 per night during peak periods. Yikes, but you should see the place. It has to be seen to be believed.

Wineries in the Southern Highlands region.

What goes on winery tour… stays on Centennial Vineyards winery tour. Image: Supplied

Now, I should mention that Bowral town itself isn't actually dotted with cellar doors. Rather, the wineries are scattered around the gorgeous Southern Highlands region that surrounds it.

But here's the thing: there are around 60 wineries in total across the area, which means you're absolutely spoilt for choice.

We rented a bus for the day from a local operator. Tricky picked us up at 1pm and dropped us off for dinner at 6pm, which was the perfect amount of time to hit multiple wineries without feeling rushed.

Artemis

A family-run winery known as the 'Pinot Noir pioneers' of the Southern Highlands (delicious).

Wine tastings cost around $20 per person, which includes a guided tasting of six wines or spirits. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and made us feel like VIPs, even though we were insufferably giggly throughout it all.

Centennial Vineyards

This is the only five-star winery in the Southern Highlands. Tastings typically cost around $10–$20 per person, but you can also splurge on fine dining at their restaurant, which overlooks rolling vineyards that look like something straight out of a European postcard.

The cellar door experience here was next level — think crystal glasses, perfectly curated cheese boards, and wines that make you understand why people become wine snobs.

Pampering and wellness in Bowral.

If you're after some serious pampering (and let's be honest, what girls trip doesn't need a spa moment?), Bowral has you covered.

You can go full luxury at Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa or Berida Hotel with their gorgeous pools and spa packages.

Or, get zen at Sage Manor with yoga and wellness retreats — perfect for when you need to recover from all that wine tasting.

Nature in Bowral.

Within a short drive are the breathtaking waterfalls: Fitzroy Falls, Belmore Falls, and bushwalks amongst lush rainforests.

We didn't make it to the waterfalls (too busy living our best winery life), but several locals recommended them as must-sees, especially for those Instagram-worthy group shots.

When to visit Bowral.

Is that Margaret River? Nope Artemis Winery. Image: Supplied.

The high season is considered September through to November, with spring being the highest in demand (and accommodation prices higher).

The low season is June through to August, and you can get the best deals. That's when we went and, honestly, it rained the whole time but didn't dampen our vibe at all!

There's something quite cosy about sipping wine by a fireplace while the rain patters outside.

The verdict.

Here's what I didn't expect: Bowral isn't just a weekend destination, it's surrounded by a proper wine region that rivals some of the more famous spots, but without the pretension or the crowds.

The fact that it's less than two hours from Sydney makes it almost criminal that more people don't know about it.

The combination of excellent wineries, gorgeous accommodation options, and that perfect small-town charm where everyone knows everyone (including Tricky Ricky, who apparently drives every hen's party in the Southern Highlands) makes it ideal for groups.

But here's the real kicker: it's affordable. Unlike some wine regions where you need to remortgage your house for a weekend away, Bowral offers luxury experiences without the eye-watering price tags.

The train journey home was filled with promises to make this an annual tradition, group chat messages about booking next year's trip, and that particular kind of exhausted happiness that only comes from a perfect girls' weekend.

Get out of the group chat and book your next girls trip. Trust me, your friendship group will thank you, and you'll wonder why you've been overlooking this gem that's been sitting right on Sydney's doorstep all along.

Bowral, you've officially made it into our regular rotation.

Feature Image: Supplied / Instagram @osbornhouse_