Cricket and wine in one smooth day. This private Southern Highlands outing lets you ride in a car with Peter, a local driver who steers the day around what you actually want to do. You also get paid-for entry into the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, so it is not just another wine loop.

I like the way this tour stays small and personal, max 4 people in your private vehicle, so you avoid crowded bus vibes and can move at a human pace. I also like that the plan is flexible, you decide with Peter which vineyards fit your tastes, instead of being locked into a fixed checklist.

One possible drawback is that because it is customized, you will have to make some choices during the day, especially if your group wants very different things like heavy tasting versus mostly scenery and food stops. If you prefer a rigid itinerary with no decisions, this format may feel a bit too “you pick the day.”

Key things to know before you go

Local guidance with Peter: you are chauffeured and your stops are guided by what your group wants.
Small group, private vehicle: up to 4 people, so it stays relaxed rather than crowded.
Bradman Museum included: cricket fans get a real highlight without paying extra.
Boutique winery emphasis: the focus is on smaller, Highlands-style cellar door experiences.
Cafe and picnic options: you can build breaks around your own comfort and appetite.
Must-visits can be added: Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines are part of the mix.

A private Southern Highlands day, planned with Peter in the driver’s seat

The Southern Highlands can feel like it is made for slow travel: neat roads, rolling country, and a pace that encourages a proper lunch. This tour leans into that. From the start, you are not just buying tastings, you are buying someone local to translate the region into a day that fits your group.

Your driver is Peter, and the big advantage is control. You are not shuffled with strangers, and you are not stuck listening to a generic script. Peter’s job is to match the day to your preferences, whether that means going heavier on wine, adding more breaks for cafes and picnic stops, or balancing both.

The tour runs about 6 hours, starting at 10:00am, which is long enough to feel like a true outing but short enough that you should not feel like you lost an entire day. It is also priced at $175.72 per person, so the value really depends on how many people you bring and how much you want from the experience.

The Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre stop that sets up a better day

The first stop is the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre for about 1 hour. Admission is listed as free for this stop, and the point of that hour is simple: it gives you a local orientation before you start hopping between tastings.

This is the kind of start that makes the rest of the day smoother. You can use the time to ask questions, get bearings in the area, and think through what you want from the afternoon. It also creates flexibility for Peter to shape the route based on your energy level and interests.

A key detail here is that the tour can take you to cafes and picnic spots that are not typically on the usual tourist radar. That matters because wine tours can sometimes become repetitive, same tasting room rhythm, same lunch outcome. Starting with a visitor centre style orientation gives you a better chance of turning the day into something more personal and more “Highlands” than generic.

What to watch for: if you are the type who loves zero planning and hates decision-making, tell Peter right away your preferences early in the day. The best custom days run on clear signals, not guesswork.

How Peter chooses wineries based on your group’s tastes

The heart of the experience is building your own day out around boutique wineries in the Highlands. Instead of being forced through a long chain of large, high-traffic cellar doors, the emphasis is on smaller places and the Highlands difference.

The tour is private, max 4 people, in your own vehicle. That does two things. First, it reduces waiting and crowd stress. Second, it gives Peter room to adjust the route on the fly. If someone in your group wants a slower tasting pace, or you want more food-focused breaks, you can usually steer toward that.

Peter also personally introduces you at each winery. That detail might sound small, but it can change the feel of the tasting. It is one less thing for you to manage in a new place, and it often helps you get the kind of welcome that makes you feel like you are part of the day, not just passing through.

You can also aim for a “mix” style day. The tour encourages combining a few wineries with the option of cafes and picnic spots. That balance is especially good if your group includes one person who loves wine and another who cares more about atmosphere, food, and scenery.

Potential consideration: if your group members have very different wine preferences, you will want to communicate early. The day is customizable, but the timing still has to fit into about 6 hours.

Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines, plus other boutique stops

The information provided includes winery names that are part of the mix, including Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines. Since Peter decides which vineyards you experience, think of these as realistic anchor points rather than the whole plan.

Here is how to think about wineries on a day like this: you are not trying to “collect” stamps. You are trying to find what you genuinely enjoy. In a boutique-focused tour, that usually means fewer, better stops. You get time to ask questions, compare styles, and enjoy the sensory side of the Highlands, not just the tasting flight box ticking.

If you are traveling with mixed interests, this format is forgiving. The tour includes time for cafes and picnic spots, so even if you are not in full wine tasting mode, you still get a satisfying day. You can keep the wine portion at whatever level suits your mood, and let the rest of the day carry the vibe through food breaks and scenic pauses.

Also, because your group is limited to 4, you can often enjoy a tasting that feels more like a conversation than a performance. That is the sweet spot for many wine days: you want to leave with bottles you actually want to drink at home, not just souvenirs.

Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame, wine-country style

One of the most distinctive features here is included entry to the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame. That could be a major win if you have cricket fans in your group, or if you simply like museums that make learning feel easy and accessible.

This is important because wine tours can skew toward one kind of interest. With Bradman as part of the day, you get variety. It also helps break up the day, so the afternoon does not become back-to-back tastings with no mental reset.

The museum component makes this tour attractive for families and multi-interest groups. Even if the wine portion is the headline, adding a museum experience gives the day texture. It also gives you an indoor option if the weather turns or if someone needs a break from the sun.

Practical tip: if cricket is a big draw, tell Peter early so he can align your timing. You want enough time to enjoy the museum without rushing through it just to make the next winery stop.

Southern Highlands Welcome Centre and picture-perfect breaks

Along with the Bradman Museum entry, the plan also mentions visiting the Southern Highlands Welcome Center. Combined with the visitor centre start, these stops help anchor you in the region rather than treating it as just a route between cellar doors.

The tour also explicitly includes the option to explore, including cafes and picnic spots. This is not a small detail. A lot of wine day plans fail because lunch is an afterthought. Here, you can build your day with breaks that keep you comfortable and focused.

Picnic stops can be a great fit in the Highlands style. You are out in the countryside, you have wine and food, and you can slow down. Just remember that tasting plus sun plus food is a real combination. Plan your pace accordingly, hydrate, and leave room for the day to stay fun.

What I’d do: if you enjoy food as much as wine, ask Peter to recommend a lunch plan that matches your tasting schedule, then treat it like part of the experience, not something you squeeze in.

Timing from 10:00am for about 6 hours, and how to pace it

Starting at 10:00am is ideal for a relaxed start. It also gives Peter enough daylight hours to juggle winery time and the museum. About 6 hours is the key number here. It is long enough to do multiple stops, but short enough that you cannot try to do everything.

So think of this as a half-day to early evening adventure, not an all-day marathon. The custom design helps, but you still need a plan for energy. If you want tastings at every stop, commit to that. If your group prefers a calmer day, choose fewer tastings and spend more time on the cafes and picnic breaks.

Because Peter is driving and the tour includes pickup, it is easier to keep the schedule smooth. You are not coordinating rideshares, parking, or public transport between scattered locations. That kind of logistics freedom is part of the value, even if you only notice it when it is missing.

Simple pacing rule: if you start feeling the day accelerate, lean into food and museum time, then return to tastings with clearer expectations. Your group will have more fun when you do not push past your limit.

Price and value: is $175.72 per person worth it here?

At $175.72 per person for around 6 hours, the value comes down to two things: private transport and customization.

Private transport matters because you are not just paying for the ride, you are paying for a driver who knows the Highlands region and can shape a route for your preferences. That reduces time wasted and increases the chance you get the right mix of wineries and breaks.

Customization matters because Peter decides which vineyards you experience. That is especially valuable if you have varied tastes in your group. Some people want boutique tastings, others may prioritize food and scenery, and the tour is designed to support that blend.

It is also priced in a way that can be easier to justify when you are traveling with a small group. The tour is max 4, so if you book as a duo or a small family unit, you might feel the per-person cost more sharply than a group of four. But if your priorities include quality, comfort, and a driver-led day without crowd pressure, the price often feels fair.

In short: this is not a budget stop-and-go tasting. It is a planned experience, and you are paying for someone local to turn the Southern Highlands into a day that fits.

Who should book this Southern Highlands wine tour?

This experience suits groups who want wine plus more than wine. It is a strong choice for couples, small groups of friends, and families with mixed interests, because the day includes both boutique winery time and the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame.

It is also a good match if you dislike large tours and want control. If you want to choose your wineries instead of following a pre-set route, you will like this approach. If your group includes someone who prefers cafes and picnic breaks, the tour explicitly supports that style.

If you are a solo traveler, it can still work, but you should consider how the private vehicle cost feels per person. The same is true if your group has strict “must do exactly this” plans. The tour works best when you are open to Peter shaping the day with you.

Should you book Highland Vines for your Southern Highlands wine and cricket day?

If you want a day that feels personal, not packaged, this is a solid pick. The biggest reasons to book are the small group private setup, Peter running the day, and the included Bradman Museum entry. Those are three ingredients that make the experience feel more than just wine tastings.

I would book it if your group includes at least one person who enjoys wine, but not everyone needs to be a wine-only person. The cafe and picnic options, plus the museum stop, help keep the day fun for different interests.

Skip it only if your ideal day is fully fixed and you hate making choices. This tour gives you that freedom, and that is part of its charm. If you are happiest when the schedule is already decided, you may prefer a more rigid tour format.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

It runs for about 6 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00am.

How many people can be in the group?

It is a private tour for your group, with a maximum of 4 people.

Is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered.

What is included in the price besides wine tastings?

Entrance to the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame is included.

Are specific wineries listed for the tour?

The tour includes must-visits such as Tertini and Sutton Forest Estate Wines, with other boutique winery choices depending on your preferences with Peter.

Where does the tour stop first?

It starts at the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre for about 1 hour.

Do I get a ticket on my phone?

Yes, there is a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Is the experience suitable for most people?

The information provided says most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation.