A day trip that feels like a secret wine country escape. This Southern Highlands tour is built for efficiency: just 90 minutes outside Sydney, plus a full day spent tasting at three wineries with food included. I love that it’s set up to run smoothly in an air-conditioned vehicle, and I also like that you don’t have to piece together tastings and transport yourself.

What really makes it worth your time is the structure. You get roundtrip hotel pickup, wine tasting experiences at each stop, plus snacks and lunch tied to the itinerary. One thing to keep in mind: it’s a packed schedule (roughly 9 hours and about an hour at each winery), so if you want super slow wandering and long chats, you’ll feel the time pressure.

Key Things I’d Watch Before You Go

Three cellar-door stops in one day so you see more than just one tasting room.

Pickup and roundtrip transport mean no designated-driver juggling.

Food and wine are built in, including lunch with a glass of wine.

Good-weather dependency matters for whether the day runs as planned.

Tight timing works best if you like a plan rather than an open-ended stroll.

Southern Highlands, Not Far From Sydney: The Smart Day-Trip Formula

The best thing about the Southern Highlands for a one-day wine outing is how reachable it is. You’re only about 90 minutes from Sydney before you’re in wine-country mode. That’s the kind of travel math that keeps the day from feeling like a bus ride with a side of sipping.

The tour is designed around that reality: you’ll be in the region long enough to actually enjoy tastings and food, not just stop, taste, and speed off. If you’ve ever done a short tour and felt like you didn’t even get warmed up, this format is the fix.

Also, the day isn’t just about wine. You’ll move through the wineries, spend time at each cellar door, and eat a proper lunch at the midpoint of the day. That matters because wine tastings are more fun when you’re not running on nerves and crackers.

Getting to the Wineries with Pickup and Real-World Driver Support

Let’s talk logistics, because that’s where wine tours either shine or annoy. This one includes pickup offered and roundtrip transport from your hotel. That’s a big deal in Sydney, where getting across town (and then back again) can chew up hours.

You’re also in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. For a day that starts at 9:00 am and runs about 9 hours, that comfort isn’t a luxury. It’s how you stay calm, hydrated, and ready to enjoy the tasting rooms.

One detail I appreciate from the feedback: the drivers get named, and not in a vague way. People call out hosts like Roman, Val, Joe, Guy, Jane, Wally, and Russell for being professional, accommodating, and good company. That kind of repeated praise usually means the day is paced well—less stress, fewer awkward stops, and a smoother flow between wineries.

How Small-Group and Private Options Change the Feel of Your Day

The tour is described as a small group experience, and you can also request a private tour. In plain terms: you can choose between meeting other people and having a day that’s more social, or keeping it contained to your own group.

If you’re traveling as a group that wants flexibility—friends, a hens day crew, family with a specific plan—private can be the better fit. The day is still structured, but you’re not waiting around for everyone’s comfort level or pacing.

If you’re solo or a couple and you want it simple, small group is often the sweet spot. You get the tour benefits without having to coordinate your own transport.

Either way, the “only your group will participate” framing matters. It tends to reduce the chaos that can happen on tours where group size or mixed schedules turn into stop-and-start driving.

Stop 1: Tertini Wines and the Southern Highlands Tasting Start

Your first winery stop is Tertini Wines, with about 1 hour on-site and admission ticket included. This is where the day kicks into gear. Expect a wine tasting experience, and plan to treat it like a guided introduction rather than a quick sample-and-run.

Tertini is noted as a favorite venue for being friendly and informative, which is exactly what you want early in the day. The early tastings set your personal preferences for the rest of the tour. If you find a style you love at stop one, you’ll likely get more enjoyment from what comes next.

One more wrinkle: the tour description also references Centennial Vineyard as a possible choice within the Southern Highlands winery circuit (alongside other options). The takeaway for you is simple: don’t over-plan your expectations for a single venue name at the first stop. Focus on the experience—your first stop is meant to get you tasting right away, with a proper cellar-door feel.

Practical tip: if you’re doing more than one wine tour this trip, consider taking notes on what you liked at stop one. You can build a “what to buy” list that actually matches your taste, instead of buying on vibes.

Stop 2: Eling Forest Winery, Lunch, and the View Factor

After stop one, the day moves to Eling Forest Winery, where you’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes. Admission is included, and this is also the stop where lunch is built into the itinerary.

Here’s what you can expect on food and wine: lunch includes one course plus a glass of wine. There’s also an option to upgrade to 2 or 3 courses, so you can decide how full you want to go in the middle of the day.

This stop is also highlighted for having one of the prettiest views in the Southern Highlands. Even if you’re not a “sit and stare” person, changing scenery at lunch helps break the day into two distinct phases. It’s the mental reset that makes the afternoon tastings feel like a continuation, not a slog.

How to get the most out of lunch here:

• Pace your sips. One glass is included, but you’ll enjoy it more if you don’t stack too many drinks right before the drive.
• Treat lunch as the meal you’ll remember. With the structure of the tour, it’s the easiest time to slow down and actually eat like a person, not a tourist snack-hunter.

One consideration: because lunch and tasting are tied together at the same stop, if you have a strict schedule preference for eating earlier or later, this itinerary may feel fixed. That’s not a flaw—just a reality of a pre-planned day.

Stop 3: Bendooley Estate Book Barn for the Final Tasting Hour

After lunch, you’ll head to the third and final stop: Bendooley Estate Book Barn. This is another about 1 hour visit with admission included.

Bendooley is described as one of the most requested venues in the Southern Highlands, and the Book Barn setting is a big reason why. The name alone tells you it’s not just a tasting room you walk into and out of. You’re going to want at least part of your hour to look around, soak in the atmosphere, and pick up bottles or gifts if that’s your thing.

This final stop is also a good place to refine what you liked earlier. By now, you should have a clearer sense of which styles you prefer—something lighter, fuller, fruit-forward, or more structured reds. Use the last tasting hour to confirm your favorites, not to try everything out of sheer willpower.

Small practical note: a lot of people end up buying more at the last stop because they’re in a relaxed mood. That can be fun. Just remember your day ends back in Sydney, so think about how you’ll handle bags for the trip home.

Wine, Snacks, Lunch, and Included Admission: What You’re Paying For

At $271.84 per person, you’re not just paying for three tastings. You’re paying for the full package: wine tastings across the day, snacks and lunch, and admission ticket included for the winery stops listed.

You also pay for the convenience of having roundtrip transport arranged. If you try to copy this day yourself—driving, parking, figuring out tastings, and paying for entry—costs and stress add up fast. Even when self-driving looks cheaper on paper, it’s rarely the cheaper option once you account for time and the fact that you can’t drink freely.

Value check: this tour makes its money by bundling three key expenses:

• transportation (so you can actually taste),
• cellar door entry,
• and food (not just a token cracker).

For me, that’s the difference between a “tasting experience” and a real day out. You get a full rhythm: tastings, a meal with wine, then more tastings.

Timing and Pacing: How to Make a 9-Hour Day Feel Good

This tour runs about 9 hours, starting at 9:00 am. With three winery stops and set time blocks (roughly 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 1 hour), the day is paced like a schedule, not like a wandering holiday.

That can be a positive. It means you’re not stuck spending your best daylight looking for the right turnoff or waiting around for a late start. It also means you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth—three stops, not one.

What can feel tight is if you want to linger at each cellar door for 90 minutes to two hours. This itinerary gives you enough time to taste and enjoy, but not enough time for deep detours.

My advice if you’re the type who loves photos and browsing:

• Take pictures during the tasting breaks.
• Save longer browsing for the last stop, when you’re already in relaxed mode.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This fits best if you want:

• a structured day with minimal planning,
• wine tastings at three wineries,
• and a real lunch that breaks up the day.

It’s also a great match for celebrations. The feedback I’ve seen repeatedly highlights groups doing hens days and family milestones, and the named drivers (Roman, Val, Joe, Guy, Jane, Wally, Russell) come across like hosts who can handle group energy without letting the day get chaotic.

You might want to choose something else if:

• you’re looking for a slow, open-ended wine crawl,
• or you want only one winery with lots of time to talk and browse.

Bottom Line: Should You Book This Southern Highlands Day Escape?

If you want a one-day Southern Highlands wine trip that actually respects your time, I’d book it. The big wins are the short drive from Sydney, the fact that three wineries are packed into a single day, and the included lunch with wine that keeps the experience from turning into constant snacking and waiting.

Just go in knowing it’s a scheduled day. If you like structure, you’ll feel looked after from the pickup onward. If you need maximum freedom and long winery lounging, you might feel rushed.

FAQ

What time does the Southern Highlands day escape start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

How long is the full day wine tasting tour?

The duration is listed as about 9 hours.

How many wineries are included?

You visit three wineries during the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel.

What’s included at the wineries?

You’ll have wine tasting experiences at each winery, and admission tickets are included for the listed winery stops.

Is lunch included, and is wine included with it?

Yes. Lunch is included at Eling Forest Winery as a one-course meal with a glass of wine, with options to upgrade to 2 or 3 courses.

Can I choose a private option?

The tour notes that you can request a private tour, and it specifies that only your group will participate.

How soon will I get confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.