Couple on a Southern Highlands tasting trail getaway

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions
What is Tasting Trails & the Southern Highlands Tasting Pass?

Tasting Trails is a curated, self-guided alcohol and food trail in the Southern Highlands. Your pass bundles prepaid tastings, a $20 credit, along with additional savings in several venues in the region. It is delivered all through an app. Choose which pass suits you.
What’s included in a pass?

Both Southern Highlands Tasting Passes include:

  • Prepaid tastings at local makers. The 3 Tastings Pass includes three and the 5 Tastings Pass includes five, at venues of your choice from the participating list. They are paid for when you buy your pass, so there is nothing more to pay at the venue for your tasting.
  • A $20 Tasting Credit. This is separate from your tastings. It is there to help you take something local home. Not every venue accepts it and the amount varies, so check the venue listing before you shop.
  • Special Offers. Bonus offers at selected restaurants and cafes, such as a complimentary drink with a meal or a discount. You'll find them under Special Offers in the app.
  • JRNYZ self-guided tour. Short location-based videos that tell the story of local places and the makers behind them.
  • Interactive maps and suggested routes. Use them to plan your stops and find your way between venues.

Most venues need a booking, which you can make in the app.
Will I be asked to pay anything at the venue for my included tastings?

No. Your tasting experiences are fully prepaid as part of your pass. Book ahead of time and show your QR code and enjoy the tasting, nothing more to pay.

How does the $20 Tasting Credit work?

You get $20 credit per pass, per person, to put toward local purchases at participating venues. Not every venue accepts it, and how much they'll take varies, so check the listing before you shop. The maker applies it at checkout. It's not refundable or redeemable for cash, it's there to help you take something local home.
When will I get my order?

Passes are delivery digitally to your email inbox. Make sure to check your spam folder after you have purchased a pass.
For merchandise, we will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible, usually you will receive items between 4 and 7 business days.
How long is my pass valid for?

Your pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. It is not a subscription. Once you have used all the tastings you are still able to take advantage of specials and discounts until the pass expires.
What can I spend the credit on?

Credit is designed for purchases made by the producer or locally produced goods. The maker will apply the credit amount at checkout.
Can I use the credit anywhere?

Not always. Each maker decides whether they accept credit and how much they'll accept. Check the maker's listing before you shop.
The credit is not refundable or redeemable for cash, it's there to help you take something local home.
Do I have to complete it all in one day?

Southern Highlands Tasting Pass (5 tastings)

No. Take your time. Your pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, so you can spread your five tastings across separate visits, a long weekend, or return trips throughout the year. Book each tasting through the app whenever suits you.

Southern Highlands Tasting Pass – 3 Tastings

Not in one day, but close. You have 90 days from purchase to choose when to go, but once you start, your three tastings need to be used across two consecutive days. Plan which tastings you want on each day before you begin, since there's no separate window to finish up afterward.
Is the Tasting Trails pass worth it?

If you enjoy discovering regional food and drink without being locked into a group tour or fixed schedule, the pass offers a flexible way to experience the Southern Highlands in one app-based product. It combines prepaid tastings withing nothing more to pay at the venue, local video stories within the app, perks, and $20 credit to spend at participating venues.
What towns are included in the Southern Highlands Tasting Pass?

The pass is designed around the Southern Highlands and participating makers within the region. The exact venues available are listed in the app, where you can view locations, inclusions, booking requirements, and participating offers before heading out. Venues range from Robertson, Fitzroy Falls, Exeter, Sutton Forest, Berrima, Bowral, Moss Vale and Mittagong.
How do I get between venues?

The Southern Highlands is spread across a number of towns, villages and rural areas, so having a transport plan is important. You can explore at your own pace using the Tasting Trails app to find participating venues and plan your stops.

If you intend to enjoy alcoholic tastings, we recommend nominating a designated driver, arranging local transport or staying overnight. There’s no need to fit everything into one day — your pass is designed to be enjoyed over multiple visits.
Can I gift it?

Yes. If you purchase a pass as a gift, you can add a message to your gift for the recipient who will receive it by email.

Bookings and planning
Do I need to book tastings in advance?

Most venues require bookings which can be done through the App, weekends and special days are particularly busy so book ahead. If a booking is needed, the app will show the relevant link, phone number, or email details or a 'Book' button.
How do I make a booking?

Open the maker’s listing in the app. If a booking is required, you’ll see a link, phone number or email to reserve or a button to book.
What are the best days to do the trail?

Weekends have the most buzz, but can book out faster. Midweek can be quieter and more flexible. Always check venue opening hours before you set off. Please note some vineyards are not open early in the week so check individual listings before you head off exploring.
Can I change which venues I visit?

Yes. You can choose any participating makers you feel like on the day or if you are preplanning ahead, as long as they have tasting availability and your pass inclusions remain. Once you’ve made a booking you will not be able to cancel it unless you contact the venue directly and they accept based on their own policy. Cancellation policies differ from venue to venue.
Can I use the pass over multiple days?

Yes. The 5 Tastings Pass is valid for 12 months, so you can take your time. A couple of stops one weekend, the rest on a later visit, or spread across a long weekend. Five tastings is a lot to fit into a single day, and it's a better trip when it isn't rushed.

The 3 Tastings Pass works differently. You have 90 days from purchase to decide when to go, then your three tastings are used across two consecutive days. It's built as a weekend away rather than a year of exploring.

Redemption and using the app
How do I redeem a tasting, credit, or perk?

Go to the listing page in the app and check what you are redeeming, whether it is a tasting or a credit, then tap Redeem, and a either you will be asked to pick a date and time to make a booking or a QR code will appear. Show that QR code to the venue when you arrive to process your tasting, credit or offer. If you had to book and received confirmation just give them your name when you arrive.
Do I need internet or mobile reception to use the pass?

You’ll want a working data connection for the smoothest experience. If you’re heading somewhere with patchy reception, open your key listings before you arrive. Your pass is available offline in the app. Download Jrnyz the self-guided tour at home before you leave.
Can I use one phone for two people?

If you’re travelling together, you can keep several passes on one phone as long as you can easily present the right QR code at each venue. For a smoother day, having each pass on each person’s phone is ideal.

What if my QR code won’t load or redeem?

First, check reception and restart the app. If it still doesn’t work, use the Help button in the app for support. Venues can manually process your pass using your pass number.
Can two people use the one pass?

No, each person must purchase a separate pass. If you are travelling together, you can keep multiple passes on one phone, but each pass is for one person only.

Can I go back to the same venue to use all my tasting experiences?

No, we created this pass to share the love around all Makers and to get you experiencing as much as possible. 1 tasting per venue only.
How many tastings do I get?

Southern Highlands Tasting Pass
Five prepaid tastings, your choice of venues, selected through the app.

Southern Highlands Tasting Pass – 3 Tastings
Three prepaid tastings, your choice of venues, selected through the app. Used across two consecutive days once you start.

Special Offers
What are “Special Offers”?

In the App you will find a section called Special Offers. These are bonus offers at selected venues, like a complimentary drink with a meal, an added extra, or a discount. Tap Redeem in the app and show the QR code to claim it. If you do not have access to internet please show your digital pass from the Smartvisit app.
Are premium activities included?

Premium experiences like mini workshops, harvesting, or hosted tours are not included in the pass. Some can be booked through the app via direct booking links.

JRNYZ
What is JRNYZ?

JRNYZ is your multimedia self-guided tour content. It uses location-based storytelling, video and maps at select spots to bring the region to life. Make sure to allow Notifications and keep your Location Service On.
Can I watch videos while driving?

Only when safely parked. In NSW, using a mobile phone while driving is illegal, including when stopped in traffic. Learner, P1 and P2 drivers must not use a phone at all while driving, even hands-free or in a holder.

Experience
Is this suitable for under 18 years

This experience is for adults 18 years and over as many tastings are alcohol related.
Can I bring my dog?

Some venues are dog-friendly and some are not.
Raw & Wild are super dog-friendly; Artemis Wines welcomes well-behaved dogs in their outdoor areas; Dawning Day is pet-friendly in certain areas; Bundanoon Hotel and Sutton Forest Inn allows dogs in the beer garden/outside area.
We recommend you check each venue’s listing and rules before you go.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?

Dietary options vary by venue. If you have requirements, check the maker’s listing and book ahead where possible.

Support
How do I contact support?

Support is available via the Help button in the app. Email [email protected], or via WhatsApp Chat. Click to chat now: https://wa.me/12133541860
I bought a pass as a gift. What do I do next?

Share the booking code with the recipient. They can download the app, enter the code, and start planning.
Cancellations of Bookings or Refunds

Choose your bookings carefully as Tasting Trails does not offer cancellation assistance, this needs to be done directly with the venue and is governed by each venue’s own policy.

If you have not used your Tasting Trail pass and have a change of mind, you are entitled to a refund within 30 days from the date of purchase only if the pass has not been used. Once a tasting has been redeemed you are not entitled to a partial refund.

Contact Customer Service: Through the Help button in the Smartvisit App, email [email protected], via WhatsApp Chat. Click to chat: https://wa.me/12133541860