Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there is plenty of free parking on site.

We love a well-behaved dog at Bendooley. Dogs are welcome on the estate and outdoor seating is available for dog owners at both the Book Barn Restaurant and the Cellar Door. Simply mention that you’re bringing your dog when making your booking or give us a call ahead of your visit and we’ll make sure everything is arranged.

For those looking to stay, we have two dog friendly cottages,  Book Barn Cottage and Pegasus Cottage. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can prepare accordingly.

A full day at Bendooley tends to unfold beautifully on its own. We’d suggest arriving in the morning to browse the Berkelouw Book Barn, before heading to the Cellar Door to taste our cool-climate estate wines. From there, settle in for a long lunch at the Book Barn Restaurant, where the chefs cook to the season. In between, there is always art to discover throughout the estate and a wander through the vines is well worth the time. If you’re planning a visit on a weekend, we strongly advise booking your table and tasting in advance.

The estate is open seven days a week. Here’s what’s on across the property:

Berkelouw Book Barn
9am to 5pm daily

Cellar Door
10am to 5pm daily
Last tastings at 3pm / Kitchen closes at 3.30pm / Last drink orders at 4.30pm

Book Barn Restaurant
Coffee and cake from 9.30am
Lunch: Monday to Thursday from 12pm / Friday to Sunday from 11.30am
Last seating at 2.15pm

Leo’s by Night
Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm

Please note: due to weddings and private events, hours may vary across the estate. We recommend contacting us before your visit to confirm, particularly on weekends.

Bendooley Estate is best reached by car, but public transport is possible. If you’re travelling from outside the Southern Highlands, the train to Bowral is a great option, from Bowral station it’s a short ten minute taxi ride to the estate. If you’re already in the Southern Highlands, a local taxi will get you here easily. There are also a small number of Uber drivers operating in the region. We recommend pre-booking your return journey to avoid any wait on the day.

The access driveway into The Stables is restricted to left-in only, therefore all guests must arrive from the south along the Old Hume Highway. Guests arriving from the north along the Hume Motorway should take the Berrima exit (Medway Rd exit,) then head north along the Old Hume Highway to The Stables.
To view a map click here.

Yes. Bendooley Estate provides accessible access across key areas of the property. Our team is always happy to assist with any specific requirements to ensure your visit is comfortable and enjoyable. If you have particular accessibility needs, please feel free to contact us ahead of your visit.

Yes, there are beautiful ceremony locations available in both of our venues, before your reception celebrations begin.

We offer a Table-Share Menu, a Three-Course offering, or a Cocktail Style Party Package. There are also options to customise the menu, enjoy additional pre-dinner drinks and canapes, cocktails, or a late night snack at the end of the night.

No, Bendooley is a fully licensed venue. All weddings must have a Bendooley Beverage package in place.

Absolutely, there are many wonderful vendors who work with us, bringing together all those finishing touches.  We can share these details during the planning stages.

We can help to plan your wedding with a very short lead time, to years in the future. Please reach out to learn about our available dates.

For the Book Barn, the Lakeside Pavilion is the perfect ceremony location in the case of rain (whilst still enjoying the beautiful views); and in The Stables, your ceremony can take place within The Stables building, looking out towards the gardens.

Yes we do. This is complimentary for all couples, to ensure your wedding menu is perfect.

We have an amazing selection of on-site accommodation available for you to enjoy with your loved ones.

Walk-ins are always welcome at the Book Barn Restaurant. That said, bookings are preferred and strongly recommended on weekends when the restaurant is at its busiest. To avoid disappointment, we suggest securing your table in advance, particularly for Friday to Sunday service and during school holidays and long weekends.

The Book Barn Restaurant is our daytime dining experience, serving seasonal lunch menus seven days a week in our iconic barn space. It’s relaxed and made for a long, leisurely meal. Leo’s by Night is our evening dining experience, open Thursday to Saturday from 6pm. Named after Leo Berkelouw, it offers a distinct evening menu served in the Cellar Door, a more intimate and atmospheric setting after dark. Both share the same commitment to seasonal produce and estate wines, but each has its own character and menu.

Yes, a children’s menu is available at both our restaurants. Kids under the age of 12 can order from the kids menu. 

View The Book Barn children’s menu here.

View Leo’s by Night children’s menu here.  

Yes, both the Book Barn Restaurant and Leo’s by Night are available for private functions and exclusive hire. Whether you’re planning a birthday dinner, a corporate lunch or a special celebration, our team can tailor a menu and setting to suit your occasion. Get in touch with us to start planning and we’ll take care of the rest.

Yes, outdoor terrace seating is available at the Book Barn Restaurant. Outdoor seating is also available at the Cellar Door. Please note that outdoor seating is subject to weather conditions and availability on the day. We recommend mentioning your preference at the time of booking so we can do our best to accommodate you.

You are welcome to bring a cake. We do offer a cakeage service which includes cutting the cake and serving with ice-cream and a seasonal berry coulis for $5 per person. We just ask that you advise us prior so when you arrive, our team can take care of it for you!

Alternatively, we can provide you with a cake knife and plates to cut the cake yourself. Unfortunately, we do not create celebration cakes in house, at this point in time.

If you are booked in for our scrumptious table share menu, that does take up a fair bit of table! Smaller jars are also a great plan, you can move them into different gaps and keep things below eye level for conversation. Balloons that are set near to the table on the floor (weighted helium) can also work.

Yes, we love hosting large groups at Bendooley. Get in touch with our reservations team to discuss your requirements and we’ll help you plan the perfect visit.

To ensure a smooth experience for all guests, please review our Group Booking Policy below:

• A credit card is required to secure all group bookings of 10 or more guests.
• A deposit of $50 per person is required at the time of booking for all group bookings of 20 or more guests.
• If you cancel within 5 days of your booking, the deposit is non-refundable.
• Final guest numbers must be confirmed at least one week prior to your reservation, and any changes to party size must be communicated at least 24 hours prior to your booking.
• For group bookings of 10 to 19 guests, where a credit card has been provided to secure the reservation, a charge of $50 per person will apply in the event of a no-show or cancellation within 48 hours of the booking.
• By proceeding with your booking, you acknowledge and agree to the terms listed above.

We offer two tasting experiences, both including a selection of six wines.

Our Classic Tasting ($15 per person) lets you choose six wines from our broader range — think younger, more approachable styles that are zesty, fruit-forward and easy to enjoy. A great introduction to the Bendooley range.

Our Premium Tasting ($30 per person) takes you through three of our estate-grown reserve wines and three of our premium picks, older vintages, beautifully structured and built to age, with a more complex, oak-forward character. Perfect for those who want to explore the depth of what Jonathan and the team are producing.

Please note that the whole table is required to try the same six wines for each tasting.

Our Classic Tasting is $15 per person and our Premium Tasting is $30 per person. For groups of ten or more, a set tasting menu is available at $20 per person. Bookings are recommended for groups, get in touch with our reservations team to arrange.

Yes, the full range of Bendooley Estate wines is available to purchase at the Cellar Door, open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Whether you’d like to take home a bottle from your tasting or stock up on a favourite, our team is happy to help. You can also shop the full range online for delivery Australia-wide.

The Bendooley Wine Club is for wine lovers who want to experience the best of what Jonathan and the team are producing here in the Southern Highlands. Members enjoy some great benefits:

• 20% discount on all Bendooley wines purchased at the Cellar Door or online
• 20% discount on all Larder products purchased at the Cellar Door
• Complimentary wine tastings for the member and up to three guests when pre-booked online
• Special invitations to winemaker dinners with Jonathan Holgate

Membership begins with an initial purchase of one case of wine (12 bottles). Every six months you can either create your own bespoke selection from the current range or let our team curate one for you based on your previous purchases, your credit card is kept on file for your automatic allocation.

To join, visit us at the Cellar Door or complete the sign-up form here. Members must be 18 years or over.

Yes, the full range of Bendooley Estate wines is available to purchase through our online store, delivered Australia-wide with no minimum order. Shipping is $18.70 for NSW and $29.70 for the rest of Australia. Please note that an online processing fee of approximately $5 also applies at checkout.

Absolutely, the Cellar Door is made for lingering. After your tasting, or simply on its own, you’re very welcome to stay and enjoy a glass of estate wine alongside one of our cheese or charcuterie boards. Sit out by the vines on a warm afternoon or pull up a chair by the open fire in winter. There’s no rush here, that’s rather the point.

The Cellar Door closes at 5pm daily. Last drink orders are 4.30pm. Last food orders are 3.30pm.

The Homestead is Bendooley’s most luxurious and expansive residence, a beautifully curated property. Accommodating up to twelve guests across six king suites, each with its own ensuite, The Homestead features grand sun-filled living rooms, a private bar perfect for late-night conversations, a billiard room with old-world charm, a private pool, tennis court and outdoor terrace with a wood fireplace. The Homestead is ideal for milestone celebrations, family gatherings, wedding parties and corporate retreats.

Check-in and check-out times vary depending on your accommodation:

The Homestead and The Lake House
Check-in: 4pm / Check-out: 12pm

All other accommodation
Check-in: 2pm / Check-out: 10am

If you require an early check-in or late check-out, please get in touch with our team in advance and we will do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability.

Continental breakfast is included with all accommodation at Bendooley and is served each morning in the Vine Room from 8am – 9.30am. For those who’d like something more, a cooked breakfast menu is available to order from and individually priced. It’s a lovely way to ease into your morning on the estate before a day of exploring.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Bendooley. Our two pet friendly cottages, Book Barn Cottage and Pegasus Cottage, are both happy to welcome well-behaved four-legged guests. Please let us know at the time of booking that you’ll be bringing your dog so we can prepare accordingly. Dogs are also welcome on the estate grounds and outdoor seating is available for dog owners at both the Book Barn Restaurant and the Cellar Door, just mention it when making your reservation or give us a call ahead of your visit.

Yes, all of our cottages are self-contained with fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, private living areas and outdoor spaces. Whether you’re planning a quiet weekend for two or a longer stay with family, everything you need is right there. The estate’s dining and cellar door are also on your doorstep if you’d prefer to leave the cooking to us.

The Book Barn Restaurant, Leo’s by Night and the Cellar Door are all on the estate and available to accommodation guests throughout your stay. As a guest of Bendooley, you get a complimentary wine tasting at the Cellar Door. We strongly recommend booking your table at the restaurant and any tastings in advance, particularly on weekends, to avoid missing out. You can book dining here and wine tastings here.

Both venues are well equipped for in-person and hybrid meetings.

Both venues support BYOD and room UC options. If you have specific technical requirements, please let us know when making your enquiry and our team will do their best to accommodate.

Yes, both The Shed and The Stables offer half day and full day delegate packages.

Bendooley Estate offers a beautiful range of on-site accommodation for conference guests, from self-contained studio cottages through to two and three-bedroom cottages, The Loft which sleeps up to ten, and The Homestead which accommodates up to twelve guests exclusively across six king suites. Staying on the estate allows your team to extend the retreat experience well beyond the conference room. Get in touch with our team to discuss availability and group accommodation options. 

Our chefs craft seasonal menus using the finest local and estate-grown produce, and there is a range of catering options to suit every style of event.

For daytime sessions, working lunches can be delivered directly to The Shed, or guests can enjoy a breakaway lunch at the Book Barn Restaurant just a short stroll away. Grazing-style and hot fork lunch options are also available.

For evening dining, options range from a relaxed BBQ dinner by the outdoor fire and welcome drinks with grazing stations at The Homestead. Through to a cocktail dinner, a table share menu or a private fine dining four-course experience.

For a more relaxed evening in, Larder Catering can be delivered fresh to your cottage for you to heat and serve.

Download the full conference compendium here for detailed menus and package options.

Absolutely, and this is one of the things that makes a Bendooley retreat genuinely memorable. We can arrange a range of on-site and off-site experiences to complement your program.

On the estate, options include fly fishing on the lake, a winemaking tour and tasting with Jonathan Holgate, yoga and meditation by the lake, Pilates in the vines and group painting workshops.

Further afield, the Southern Highlands offers horse riding, golf at the Highlands Golf Club in Mittagong, bushwalking along the Box Vale Walking Track, Fitzroy Falls, an escape room experience in Bowral and facilitated team development activities through Pinnacle.

Speak to our conference team when making your enquiry and we can help build an itinerary around your goals.

Yes, high-speed Wi-Fi is available in both The Shed and The Stables. The Shed is also equipped with both wired and wireless connectivity options, compatible with your organisation’s preferred UC platform for seamless in-person and hybrid meetings.

Get in touch with our conference team and we will put together a tailored proposal for your event. You can submit an enquiry here and download our conference compendium. We aim to respond to all conference enquiries within one business day. 

We are open to browse seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, unless we are hosting a wedding or private event, in which case we close at 3pm. We recommend checking the website or calling ahead before your visit to avoid any disappointment. Click here to find out the days that we will be closing early.

The Berkelouw Book Barn carries an extraordinary range of latest releases, second-hand and rare books across every genre and subject. There is a person for every book!

You can only browse and purchase rare books online through the Berkelouw website. Feel free to give us a call (02 4848 8700) if you are looking for something in particular. We can check our inventory and are happy to post books to you.

Yes, we buy fine, used and quality second-hand books, and we’re always on the lookout for rare, old and collectible books. Please get in touch with our book team via email (booksbought@berkelouw.com.au) or give us a call Monday – Friday 9am-4pm.

Our rare book team is here Monday – Friday from 9am-4pm and the collection is housed in a separate building to the Book Barn. Our rare book collection is available to browse online, and we regularly produce a catalogue of our latest acquisitions. Please contact our Rare Book Department if you wish to receive our regular catalogues or if you are looking for any scarce titles (sales@berkelouw.com.au).

Yes, the Book Barn regularly hosts author events, book launches and literary lunches and evenings at Bendooley Estate. Head to our events page for upcoming dates, or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about new events as they’re announced.