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Capital Country: Southern Highlands
For a taste of the high life visit the lush Southern Highlands, an easy two hour drive south-west of Sydney.
Visit the rural centre of Mittagong. Browse the antique shops of Bowral. Soak up the atmosphere of Berrima. Or explore the majesty of Kangaroo Valley with its forested mountains and towering escarpments.
Southern Highlands
The Southern Highlands is well known for its colourful gardens, leisurely pursuits, diverse landscape, shopping and welcoming accommodation. But there is another side to the area that offers a range of activities to pursue and enjoy.
The Southern Highlands is well known for its colourful gardens, leisurely pursuits, diverse landscape, shopping and welcoming accommodation. But there is another side to the area that offers a range of activities to pursue and enjoy.
Golfing is a favourite past time for locals and visitors. Whether you are a serious golfer or just want to release all that pent-up energy there is a selection of courses from which to choose. Golf Professionals are on hand to assist, advise and for lessons or there is even a golf driving range if you just want to practice your swing.
Fly Fishing is a great way to escape and at the same time test your skills against the elusive freshwater trout. Learn some basic 'streamcraft' and freshwater fishing techniques with an experienced guide.
Explore the scenery and some of the remote wilderness areas within the region from the comfort of your own 4WD by joining with a tag-along tour. If you prefer natural pursuits of a slower pace then bushwalking is the perfect choice.
A truly spectacular drive takes in the route from Mittagong to Wombeyan Caves. The road is mountainous but for the adventurous it is worth the effort. The tortured road cover farmland, mountains, valleys and rivers. Points of interest along the way include a man made tunnel, spectacular views over the Burragorang Valley and a delightful picnic spot and swimming hole at Goodman's Ford. At the end of the drive you can discover the underground world of Wombeyan Caves.
Discover some of the most beautiful and rugged countryside on horseback.
Journey into the past with a visit to local museums including The Court House and Historical Museums at Berrima. Discover a different history at Bradman Museum where you can relive the glories of Australian cricket and follow Sir Donald Bradman's footsteps as he grew up in Bowral and went on to become a cricketing legend.
Train enthusiasts can visit model railway displays and purchase that special piece to add to your own train set, or for a different day out take a trip on the Cockatoo Run. This heritage train travels four days a week from the coast to the Highlands and return.
For something really different why not visit the Moss Vale saleyards. The yards are under cover and sales take place every Wednesday. Cattle sales offer a real country experience.
Throughout the year many events and festivals can be enjoyed. Agriculture Shows demonstrating and displaying the best of country life. Bowral Tulip Time festival with its wonderful gardens and beds of tulips, Bundanoon is Brigadoon and its many thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the Scottish dancing and bagpipes and the annual Jazz Festival for lovers of jazz. Fox hunting, dressage events, show jumping and much, much more.
Bowral
Bowral has a reputation for brilliantly maintaining an old-style facade that harks back to colonial times. As such, it's great for antique shopping and other quaint Australian artifacts and holds a overall friendly air that makes it a popular destination on the South Coast. The Tulip Time festival is held annually, running for two weeks from the last week of September. Bowral's other claim to fame is that it's the town where all-time Australian cricketing hero Sir Donald Bradman spent his seminal years. Visit the Bradman Museum and Brad man Oval while you're here for a special sense of history.
Sutton Forest
The entire area between the Bong Bong River (a few kilometres north of Moss Vale) and Paddy's Creek (about ten minutes' drive toward and along the freeway south) was once called Sutton Forest.
It lies among rolling hills between the two rivers, and was the site of a number of large land grants to early settlers soon after it was discovered (1820s).
Many of these built grand homes which can still be glimpsed through the trees set back from the roads. The grandest of these was 'Hillview' (1850), built by R.P. Richardson (of Richardson & Wrench fame), purchased and extended in 1882 by the State Government as a summer residence for the Governor.
Although most of these significant buildings are not now open to the public, what can be visited are the historic churches and cemeteries, and a few other historic commercial buildings, beautifully restored by their currect owners and operated as must see venues for the traveller looking for antiques and collectables.
Sutton Forest has a significant place in early Australian history, being one of the first settlements (1820s) in the new lands discovered outside the outer limits of the colony of Sydney.
There have been three villages in the area: one (private) village near All Saints Anglican Church (1861); another (official) village - off to the right about a kilometre on the road to Bundanoon, which never took off; and the current centre at the intersection of the highway where the stores are.
Here there are interesting buildings to see, and reminders of early history in the cemeteries (look for the graves of the bushranger and troopers at All Saints, and of other early settlers at St. Patrick's (c.1880 - although graveyard is earlier).
Sutton Forest has been a popular travellers' stop for 150 years. Two fine old Georgian buildings at the Equestrian Centre (1km past the stores) were originally inns; another stood next to the current hotel (since demolished).
The famous 'Everything Store' (a store since the 1830s) has been a magnet for antique collectors since the 1960s, and 'A Little Piece of Scotland' (building c. 1895) attract visitors from around Australia and overseas.
The Old Post Office (1883) on the corner is a fine and well preserved example of a late Victorian country house; purchased by the government and used as a post office (1885-1975) it still retains the fine cedar counter and partitioning at the front of the building.
Mittagong
Mittagong township is the gateway to the Southern Highlands and appeals as a base for the numerous bushwalks including one of Australia's most spectacular walks, the seven-day Barallier Track to Katoomba. It is a town with historical significance, famous for it's bygone iron ore connections.
Also well known for its arts and crafts, and boasts the largest display of embroidery and needlework kits in Australia.
Berrima
Considered one of the best remaining examples of a small Australian
village
of the 1830's. The best way to enjoy the history of Berrima is to actually
'step back in time' and take a 'two foot tour' of the village. It has a host
of historic buildings, Boutiques, Shops, Arts & Craft, Galleries and eating
houses.
Kangaroo Valley
Nestled between Cambewarra and Barrengary Mountains, the beautiful Kangaroo Valley offers many activities.
Experience the serenity of superb bush walking, horse riding, canoeing and swimming in the natural beauty of the area.
The historic Hampden Bridge, over the Kangaroo River, was constructed in 1898 and is the oldest and probably most photographed suspension bridge in Australia.
Destination Guides
Find Accommodation |
Must See Must Do
Surveyor General Hotel
Old Hume Highway, Berrima
Australia’s oldest continuously licensed inn – a must for all visitors
to the area.
Ph: 02 4877 1228
Sir Donald Bradman Museum
St. Jude Street, Bowral
Chock-full of fabulous cricket memorabilia and right next to the famous Berrima
cricket ground.
Ph: 02 4862 1247
Retail Therapy
Berkelouw Book Barn
“Bendooley Hill”, Old Hume Highway, Berrima
You read it here – for over 20 years Berkelouw’s Book Barn has
been a must-stop for visitors and booklovers.
Ph: 02 4877 1370
Victoria House Needlework, Mittagong
Old Hume Highway, Mittagong.
Don’t miss one of the best craft cottages in the Highlands.
Ph: 02 4871 1682
Farmgate at Statford Park
Pearsons Lane, Wildes Meadow
Stocks delightful local produce – olives, mustards, oils, water and lavender
plants.
Ph: 02 4885 1101