The must-visit South Coast gem that Aussie celebs love

When you think of New South Wales' South Coast, you may think of a few things — obviously the beautiful beaches and whale watching opportunities, Berry's famous donut van, the Kiama blowhole, and Hyams Beach which boasts some of the whitest sand in the world.

But you'd be forgiven if you're not often thinking about wineries or luxury accommodation that can only be found off the grid — and one of South Coast's best-kept gems has exactly this and it's become popular with Australian celebrities for being an exclusively private and romantic wedding or holiday destination.

The NSW estate popular with Aussie stars

Just three hours south of Sydney lays Cupitt's Estate, a family-run business that produces handcrafted wines and romantic cabins completely off-grid.

From Sydney, the drive to the estate takes you down the windy coastal drive past Wollongong and you'll catch glimpses of both the pristine coast of Gerringong and Kiama to the right and the greenery of pastures further out to the left, with the estate laying in the perfect spot where you can get the best of both worlds. Don't let the street name of Slaughterhouse Road turn you off — the only danger at Cupitt's will be you having a dangerously good time.

With shows like Married At First Sight having filmed there and reality stars like Matty J and Laura Byrne tying the knot and cementing their fairytale love story at the estate, it's become synonymous with romance and relaxation, and for good reason.

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South Coast's best-kept secret: wine, beaches, and baths under the stars

Stepping into the luxurious estate is a way of letting the stress of life ebb away — what was once a dairy farm has been transformed into a winery close to the ocean, with cattle roaming the lush green fields, and a refurbished restaurant serving organic local produce.

The estate is a short drive to some of South Coast's most beautiful beaches but if you need to reset coming into the New Year, a stay at the secluded cabins is the best way to log off and forget the world for a day or two, with a restaurant on site serving delicious food, wine tastings and tours available, and some cabins boasting an outdoor bath on the balcony so you can relax and sip wine under the stars.

Even better, the estate offers a breakfast hamper delivered to rooms, so if you need a whole night and morning of no human interaction, other than saying hi to the friendly cows roaming out in the paddock, the option is there.

Let the wine do the talking...

While the South Coast isn't often known for being a go-to wine region, as compared to more prominent competitors like the Hunter Valley or Mudgee, Cupitt's is fast changing that reputation, recently taking out a NSW tourism award for Best Winery, Brewery and Distillery.

And after a meal and a glass (or three) of wine at the venue, it's easy to see why it's become a favourite amongst the South Coast locals and Aussie celebs alike, as they flock to the location to celebrate weddings, anniversaries and any other special occasion, with the likes of sports stars Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon also fans of the estate.

The family-run estate is also passionate about minimising its carbon footprint, running the business with the aim of making it as sustainable as possible - from growing their own food, waste being converted into soil, and most recently adapting to an on-site water treatment plant where they transform industrial waste from the production facilities and domestic waste from visitors and guests and turn it into water that is reused to nourish the land and start the growing process all over again.

Good wine, good food, a luxurious cabin, and off-grid weekend, and knowing you're doing your part to help the environment? What extra convincing could you possibly need for 2025 travel inspo?

You can find out more about Cupitt's Estate and book your own getaway here.

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