Planning a food and wine day trip sounds fun until you're 45 minutes into a search-tab spiral, trying to work out which cellar doors are open, whether you need to book, and how to string them all into a route that doesn't have you doubling back through Mittagong twice.

The Southern Highlands Tasting Pass takes much of the guesswork out of it. Here's how it works and why it's one of the easiest ways to explore the Southern Highlands.

The idea is beautifully simple

The Southern Highlands Tasting Pass is a digital pass that lives on your phone and gives you access to a curated trail of some of the Southern Highlands' best independent producers. Think vineyards, distilleries, bakeries, breweries, and farms  — the businesses that give the region its genuine flavour.

Choose between a 3 Tasting Pass or a 5 Tasting Pass, depending on how you want to explore.

You can build your own route based on what you're in the mood for, or follow the multimedia trail to discover more about the region and the people behind each stop. When it's time for your tasting, simply follow the booking or redemption instructions in the app. And if you like what you've discovered, you can also use your included Tasting Credit at participating venues to pick up something to take home.

No paper vouchers, no printing, no drama.

You choose how you explore

Want to make a weekend of it or keep coming back for more? There's a pass to suit.

The 3 Tasting Pass is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase, with your tastings to be enjoyed over two consecutive days. It's ideal for a weekend escape or a couple of days exploring the region.

The 5 Tasting Pass gives you much more time to wander, with 12 months from the date of purchase to enjoy your tastings. Use them over a weekend or spread them across several visits throughout the year.

That flexibility matters in a region like the Southern Highlands, where the temptation to linger is constant. A tasting at Eden Brewery can easily become lunch with some seriously good chicken strips. A stop at a rustic Italian-style winery in Sutton Forest can turn into a conversation about drinking your red slightly chilled, the Italian way. A bakery visit can anchor your morning in the best possible way.

The point is, you don't need to rush.

You discover makers you may never have found on your own

This is perhaps one of the pass's most valuable features. The Southern Highlands is home to dozens of independent producers — many tucked away from the main roads, producing in small batches or welcoming visitors by appointment.

The Southern Highlands Tasting Pass helps connect you with those makers: the micro-vineyard in Exeter, the family farm in Colo Vale, the artisan baker in Berrima or the mushroom tunnel in Mittagong.

These aren't just places to eat and drink. They're stories.

A winemaker who planted some of the region's earliest Pinot Noir. A couple who built their vineyard as a 20-year dream and now give a significant share of their wine revenue back to community charities. A local pantry stocking products made by producers from across the region.

The pass helps you discover the people behind what you're tasting.

It supports independent businesses

Tasting Trails is built around supporting regional producers and encouraging visitors to discover more of the businesses that make the Southern Highlands what it is.

By choosing local vineyards, distilleries, breweries, farms, bakeries and makers, your visit helps support regional businesses and keeps more visitor spending within the local community.

It's a better way to explore the region — discovering what's made here, meeting the people behind it and giving yourself a reason to venture beyond the obvious stops.

Who it's for

The Southern Highlands Tasting Pass works particularly well for:

• Sydneysiders wanting a proper day or weekend escape without the Hunter Valley drive

• Couples looking for a relaxed getaway with great food and wine

• Food and drink lovers who want to go deeper than a standard cellar-door visit

• Friends looking for an easy way to plan a Southern Highlands weekend

• Anyone curious about where their food and drink actually comes from

The Southern Highlands is around 90 minutes from Sydney, less than two hours from Canberra and within easy reach of Goulburn — with a remarkable collection of producers waiting to be discovered.

Choose the 3 Tasting Pass for a two-day escape or the 5 Tasting Pass for the freedom to keep exploring throughout the year.

The Southern Highlands Tasting Pass is your introduction. Where you go from there is up to you.