Getting out of Sydney for a friend’s wedding felt like a breath of fresh mountain air. The destination was Berambing, tucked away in the Blue Mountains hinterland – the kind of place you don’t stumble upon unless you have a reason to slow down and explore.
The wedding itself was beautiful, but what really stood out was how the trip became an excuse to discover venues and pockets of NSW I’d otherwise drive straight past. One of the highlights was stopping at Hillbilly Cider in Bilpin. Sitting among the orchards with a crisp cider in hand, paired with wood-fired pizza, felt effortlessly right. The cider was fresh, balanced, and clearly made with care – the kind of place you remember long after the glass is empty.
Accommodation added its own chapter to the story. I stayed one night at Archibald Hotel, an old place with plenty of character – maybe a bit too much after dark. The cold crept in, the building groaned, and sometime during the night a possum scurried loudly across the tin roof. Being the only person staying there didn’t help. Your mind naturally wanders… suddenly it’s less “heritage hotel” and more Wolf Creek vibes. Thankfully, daylight arrived and so did common sense – but I was glad it was only a one-night stay.
In the spirit of fairness (and curiosity), I also visited Bilpin Cider Co. It was good, no doubt, but if I’m being honest, Hillbilly still edged it out for atmosphere and flavour.
On the drive back to Sydney, I made a mandatory final stop at Pie in the Sky Roadhouse for brunch. A classic meat pie never disappoints, especially when you’re winding down from a country weekend and pointing the car back toward the city.
All up, it was one of those trips that reminds me why getting out of Sydney every now and then matters – good friends, good food, a bit of mystery in the night, and the simple joy of the open road.