Heritage gardens, community fairs and more: what's on in the Southern Highlands this week

Explore the gardens at Retford Park or the Harper's Mansion, head to a school market or a family day out celebrating 150 years of Robertson Public School.

Check out the list below for the top 11 activities to look forward to this week.

Explore manicured gardens full of flowers, relax and take a picnic, or discover art at Retford Park. The garden is open from Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25. Tickets for the gardens are $16.59 for adults, $11.39 for concession holders and children between five and 15, $37.39 for two adults and two children, and kids under five can attend for free. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. Tours of the James Fairfax AC's former residence take place on Saturday, September 24 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm and Sunday, September 25 from 10.30am to 11.30am, and 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Tickets for adults are $30.11 each, $21.79 for children, and those under five can visit for free. They can also be purchased through Eventbrite.

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Celebrate the legacy of this school at this local fair. There will be rides, farm animals, games, arts and crafts, food stalls and more! Head over to Robertson Public School on Saturday, September 24 from 9am to 3pm to check it all out. Entry is free and attendees are advised to bring along cash for stalls, as EFTPOS machines are limited. Funds raised will go towards a new playground.

Festivities for Robertson Public School will continue with a celebratory dinner, where past and present teachers, students and families are invited to come along. You can join in on Saturday, September 24 at the Robertson Bowling Club from 6pm to 10pm. Tickets are $50 each and include a two-course meal, entertainment and a glass of wine. Bookings can be made via Trybooking.

Enjoy a five kilometre walk, run or jog through spectacular gardens in Bowral, and meet new people. Get involved on Saturday, September 24 at from 8am at the Southern Highland Botanic Gardens. Entry is free but people must register via parkrun.com.au. You only need to register once and bring along a scannable copy when you join other runs.

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The fourth Saturday of the month means the Yerrinbool garden market is back! Eggs, jams and recycled goods are also for sale. Head over to the community garden at Yerrinbool Station from 10am to 12pm to check it all out.

Come and explore the gardens, or have a picnic at this historical mansion in Berrima. The property is open on Saturday, September 24, and Sunday, Septemnber 25. Tickets: $26.99 for two adults and two kids, $11.39 for adults, $9.31 for children over five and kids under five have free entry. They can be bought via Eventbrite.

Find crafts, art, tasty treats, a playground and more at this market. Make sure you head over to Berrima Public School on Sunday, September 25 from 9am to 2pm to check it out.

Southern Tablelands sign writer Alan Weston brings a variety of Australian-inspired seascapes and coastlines to life in this exhibition. He draws inspiration from different photographs. You can see it in the Annex Gallery inside the Milk Factory Gallery until Friday, September 30.

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Lots to see

There are plenty of things to explore throughout Tulip Time. See the tulips after dark, with live entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening. There are morning, afternoon and evening sessions to see the blooms. Different entertainment acts will also perform every morning and afternoon. Discover it all at the Corbett Gardens until Monday, October 3. Residents can enter for free and bring proof of their residency. Tickets are $13.40 per adult, $8.18 for concession holders and children between 13 and 17 years old, and children under 12 can enter for free. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. Only companion dogs are allowed.

Discover a series of personal portraits, where artists have the opportunity to paint somebody they know. It has been judged by Evan Shipard and curated by Kim Shannon. See the exhibition until Monday, October 3. The gallery is open from 10am to 4pm daily. Entry is free.

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Bring along a picnic to have in the woodlands, explore the formal gardens and bamboo tunnel and browse through a nursery full of global plants. Discover hundreds of springtime plants at Moidart from until Tuesday, October 4 from 9am to 2pm. Entry is $5 per person and dogs are not permitted inside.

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