Berrima River Walk offers exercise and a history lesson in the great outdoors

Holidays spent at home have become the norm for most people.

It would be fair to say that when you live in a particular area you can tend to take its many attractions for granted.

But whether you are a permanent resident of the Highlands or a visitor there is no doubt this region has much to offer.

With this in mind I've decided to look at my home town from a different perspective.

I've decided to look at this wonderful region as my holiday destination.

That involves a few day trips or simple adventures in my own backyard, embracing highlights, supporting local businesses and soaking up the natural environment.

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My first adventure was to take a hike and the Berrima River Walk was the first item on my list.

I've written several stories about the German Internment Camp established in Berrima in World War I so I have a familiarity with the story.

By night the internees were confined to barracks in the Berrima Gaol, by day they made a life for themselves and their families along the banks of the Wingecarribee River. Berrima was the only Australian World War I internment camp which did not confine internees within the camp perimeter.

I've written stories about the special River Walk opened in March 2015 to share the story of the German interns, their families and the life of semi-confinement in Berrima during the war.

But I had never taken the walk.

It was on my bucket list and now I have ticked that box.

So, along with one of my daughters, I decided to head out along the River Walk track. We were keen to learn more while getting a little exercise on warm Sunday in November.

We slipped on a hat and comfortable walking shoes, slapped on some sunscreen and were set for an adventure and a bit of a history lesson.

The walk is located at the western end of Oxley Road in Berrima. There is plenty of parking and clear signposts identifying the start of the walk.

It was indicated at the starting signpost that we should prepare for an hour-long return trek. It took us about 45 minutes along a relatively easy walk with some gentle ascents and descents.

The track was easy to follow and the various signposted points along the way gave us a glimpse into a bygone era. There were even some remnants of a past life.

And of course there were some beautiful river views.

A touch of shopping in Berrima village along with lunch, or refreshments at the historic Surveyor General Hotel, or any one of the great cafes or restaurants, is the icing on the cake for this holiday adventure in the Highlands.

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