With the Covid-19 lockdown putting off our planned Easter getaway, we had no hesitation making a break for it once the NSW regional travel restrictions were lifted ! 🚗 – along with everyone else it seemed 😂
We decided on a spot not too far away – Kangaroo Valley – and settled on Cedar Grove. Located in the hills above the main town, the accommodation is on a farm and the building is the old manager’s residence – “The Lodge” which has been converted into two lovely villas – “Whispers” and “Secrets”. We decided on “Secrets” and it was a great choice !
It was a very secluded and peaceful spot however the combination of the June long weekend and the first weekend after the lifting of regional travel restrictions meant that everywhere we went was packed – socially distanced of course 🙄 – with escaped isolationists !
We headed down to Kangaroo Valley a day early via Berry and this turned out to be a good decision – it wasn’t too busy at all at that point and we found a table at one of the Berry cafes for a late lunch. We then took the scenic Kangaroo Valley Road (Route 7) as we made our way to Cedar Grove.
The accommodation was great, nestled high above the picturesque village of Kangaroo Valley, in Paradise Gully. Our villa was very well appointed – spacious throughout, nice kitchen, open wood fireplace, nice big bathroom and lovely views across the property and down the valley.
The following day we were booked in for lunch at Southern Highland Brewing in Moss Vale. Adrienne had planned perfectly by booking well ahead as with all the restrictions in place there was very little success trying to get into cafes or restaurants without one – or without a huge queue and long wait ! This was evident as we stopped for a walk around Kangaroo Valley township on the way – the main street was packed with cars and long queues – socially distanced of course 🙄 – formed at any cafe open !
Southern Highland Brewing & Taphouse is well worth a visit ! As well as the great selection of locally made brews, the restaurant has a great variety of meals on offer. We will definitely be back there on a future visit !
Next day we decided to do a drive out to the coast to Shoalhaven Heads and meander along up to Gerringong, before heading back. The weather was a bit overcast but there were plenty of people around ! Heading back, through Berry again, our plans of hopefully finding a spot for a late lunch again were shot to pieces – people and queues everywhere ! – Socially distanced of course 🙄!
So after picking up some supplies at the local IGA, it was back to our villa at Cedar Grove for gourmet sausage sandwiches on the BBQ & a couple of quiet drinks – very social distanced ! 😁
Heading home next day, Kangaroo Valley, Berrima and Bowral were all buzzing – socially distanced of course 🙄 – but all the shopkeepers were very glad I think – a sign on one cafe indicating they had sold out of everything they had expected to sell over the long weekend so they were actually closed on the holiday Monday !
Just a few days away but an enjoyable break just the same – I expect this quick tour might be the first of many given there is not likely to be any prolonged tours for quite some time ! Always better than working !
