Southern Highlands
Population 30,000
The Southern Highlands are south of Sydney, and the district includes,
amongst others, the towns of Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Berrima, Bundanoon,
Robertson and Kangaroo Valley.
Climate
Average temperatures: January max 25C (77F) - min 18C (64F); July max 10C
(50F) - min -2C (28F). Average annual rainfall varies from 760mm (30
ins) in the north and west to 1140mm (45 ins) at Moss Vale and 1950mm
(77 ins) at Robertson.
Characteristics
The rich, the famous and the powerful have long valued the Highlands as
a rural retreat. The Governor of New South Wales used the Highlands as
a 'holiday home' as early as 1868 when the Earl of Belmore rented Throsby
Park. Later Hillview at Sutton Forest became a permanent vice-regal country
residence, thus sealing the popularity of the area with the well-to-do
citizens of Sydney. Many fine homes of the period remain. More recently,
the Highlands have become a centre for artists and craft-workers, who
find inspiration for their work in the quiet of the country and the beauty
of their surroundings.
How to Get There By Bus
All the major interstate bus companies stop in the Southern Highlands on
their Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne routes.
There are regular bus services between Moss Vale and Canberra, and a daily
service between Moss Vale and Nowra.
By Rail
There are daily services from Sydney and Canberra.
By Road
From Sydney, via the F5 Freeway from Liverpool, or the old Hume Highway
- 1.5 hours. Or, via the Freeway to Wollongong, then the Illawarra Highway
over Macquarie Pass, through Robertson, to Bowral - 2 hours.
From Canberra, via the Hume Highway through Goulburn - 2 hours.
From Nowra, via Kangaroo Valley and Fitzroy Falls - 1 hour.
Tourist Information
The Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre is at 62 -70 Main Street,
Mittagong, (02) 4871 2888. You can email them at wingtour@wsc.nsw.gov.au
The opening hours are 8am-5.30pm daily. There is a comprehensive website
at www.southern-highlands.com.au
Accommodation
Here is a selection of the available accommodation in each town, with prices
for a double room per night, which should be used as a guide only. The
telephone area codes are after the town names.
Mittagong
Mittagong Motel, 7 Old Hume Highway, 4871 1277. 28 units, unlicensed restaurant
- $55-90.
Poplars Motel, Hume Highway, 4889 4239. 15 units, licensed restaurant,
barbecue - $75-105.
Grand Country Lodge, Main Street, 4871 3277. 23 units, undercover parking,
room service - $85-135.
Melrose Motel, Old Hume Highway, 4871 1511. 16 units, barbecue - $75-95.
Mittagong Caravan Park, Hume Highway, 4871 1574. 71 sites, basic facilities
- powered sites $18 for two, on-site vans $35 for two.
Bowral
The Briars Country Lodge, Moss Vale Road, 4868 3566. 30 units, licensed
restaurant, swimming pool, tennis - $165-220.
Boronia Lodge Apartment Hotel, Boronia Street, 4861 1860. 8 apartments,
undercover parking, comfortable rooms- $85-135.
Golf View Lodge, Boronia Street, 4861 2777. 28 units, swimming pool, barbecue, tennis
- $90-135.
Port O'Call Motor Inn, cnr Bong Bong & Bundaroo Streets, 4861 1779.
20 units, licensed restaurant, good facilities - $55-105.
Craigieburn Family Resort (guest house), Centennial Road, 4861 1977. 63
rooms (private facilities), fireplace, swimming pool, tennis, golf - $195.
Links House Country Guesthouse, 17 Links Road, 4861 1408. 15 rooms, tennis,
fireplace - B&B $135-330.
Robertson
Robertson Country Motel, Illawarra Highway, 4885 1444. 6 units, basic facilities
- $60-85.
Ranelagh House (private hotel), Illawarra Highway, 4885 1111. 42 rooms
(some with private facilities), unlicensed restaurant, swimming pool -
DB&B $4105-155 per person.
Bundanoon
Bundanoon Holiday Resort (motel), Anzac Parade, 4883 6068. 21 units, swimming
pool, barbecue, tennis - $75-100.
Morton National Park, Church Street, 4887 7270. (No pets allowed) - no
power, advance site reservations only - $10-18 for two.
Kangaroo Valley
Pioneer Motel Kangaroo Valley, 152 Moss Vale Road, 4465 1877. 23 units,
licensed restaurant, fireplace, gym, heated swimming pool - $95-185.
Big Bell Farm, 1666 Kangaroo Valley Road, 4465 1628. 2 cabins, comfortable
facilities - $70-90.
Kanagroo Valley Glenmack Caravan Park, Main Road, 4465 1372. (No pets allowed)
108 sites, barbecue, tennis, mini-golf - powered sites $18-20 for two,
cabins $50-75 for two.
Kangaroo Valley Tourist Park, Moss Vale Road, 4465 1310. (No dogs allowed)
60 sites, canoeing, playground, barbecue - powered sites $17 for two, cabins
$45-95 for two.
Eating Out
Following are some restaurants you might like to try in the various towns.
Mittagong
Lion Rampant, cnr Victoria Street & Hume Highway, 4872
2980 - Bistro - hopen Wed-Sun 6-8.30pm, counter lunches
noon-2pm.
Lesters Restaurant of Mittagong, 16 Bowral Road, 4871 2696 - licensed,
Italian - hopen Wed-Mon 5pm-10pm, plus Sun noon-2.30pm.
1890 Restaurant & Cafe, 84 Hume Highway, 4871 1871 - licensed, French
Continental a la carte - hopen Mon-Sat 6-9.30pm, Fri-Sun noon-2.30pm.
Mittagong Chinese Restaurant, 91 Hume Hwy, 4871 1704.
B C's Italian Restaurante, 79 Hume Hwy, 4872 1777.
The Blue Cockerel Bistro, 95 Hume Hwy, 4872 1677.
Thonburi Thai Restaurant, Beaumont Gardens Shp 1/ Bowral Rd, 4872 1511.
Bowral
House of Lowe, 236 Bong Bong Street, 4861 2308 - licensed, Chinese and
seafood - hopen daily for dinner from 5pm, and for lunch Wed-Sun noon-2pm.
Toshis Japanese Restaurant, Bong Bong Street, 4861 4274.
Shanghai Restaurant, 265 Bong Bong Street, 4861 1774.
Prego Trattoria Pizzeria, 412 Bong Bong Street, 4862 5009.
Da Giacomo Cafe Restaurant, 275 Bong Bong Street, 4862 2996.
Jack Style Thai Restaurant, Boolwey & Station Street , 4862 1905.
Station Street Restaurant, 48 Station Street, 4861 7171.
Moss Vale
Chow's Hong Kong Restaurant, 443 Argyle Street, 4868 2208 - licensed, Chinese
- open daily for lunch 11.30am-2.30pm, dinner Sun-Wed 5-9.30pm, Thurs 5-10.30pm,
Fri-Sat 5-11pm.
Seafood Affair, 515 Argyle Street, 4868 1726 - open Mon-Sat for dinner,
Tues-Sat for lunch.
Cedar's Lebanese Restaurant, 490 -494 Argyle Street, 4869 4600.
Peking Restaurant, Moss Vale Mall, 4868 2366.
Argyle St Bistro, Argyle Street, 4868 1599.
Sattahip Thai Restaurant, Shop 2/ 249 Argyle Street, 4869 1891.
Berrima
Journeyman Bistro, Old Hume Highway, 4877 1911 - licensed, specialise in
flare-grill - open 7 days for lunch and dinner.
Victoria Inn, Jellore Street, 4877 1475 - licensed, gourmet a la carte
- open for dinner Wed-Sat, lunch Sun.
Old Breens Restaurant, Hume Hwy, 4877 1977.
Robertson
Robertson Country Motel, Illawarra Highway, 4885 1444 - BYO, country style
cuisine - open 7 days 6.30-8.30pm, bookings essential.
Ranelagh House, Illawarra Highway, 4885 1111 - BYO, country style cooking
- open 7 days for lunch and dinner (except when house closed for conferences).
Bundanoon
Highlander Restaurant, Anzac Parade, 4883 6242 - licensed, a la carte with
German influence - open Wed-Sun from 6.30pm, Sun noon-2pm.
Tree Tops Guest House, 101 Railway Parade, 4883 6372 - BYO, International
and Indian cuisine - open for dinner Fri-Sat.
Bundanoon Chinese Restaurant, 21 Railway Avenue, 4883 6368.
Kangaroo Valley
Restaurant Deville, Moss Vale Road, 4465 1314 - licensed, char grill, blackboard
menu - open Wed-Sun 10am-3pm, Fri-Sat from 7pm.
Points of Interest Mittagong
The area was one of the first settled by Europeans when the government
allowed settlement south of the Cowpastures (now Camden). In 1821, William
Chalker, principal overseer of government stock at the Cowpastures, was
granted 200 acres of land on the Old South Road as a reward for service,
and although he died before the grant was surveyed, his widow took up the
grant, and his descendants still live in the area. In fact, in 1988 the
family erected a cairn on the Old South Road to mark the site of the original
grant, and from there you can get a good view of Mittagong and the surrounding
countryside.
Many gracious sandstone buildings were constructed in the town in the 1860s,
not only public buildings, but small cottages, and many of these can be
found in the side streets between the Hume Highway and Lake Alexandra.
The town has many specialty craft outlets, that display and sell the works
of both local and outside artists, including such items as tapestry, stained
glass, woodwork, pottery and weaving.
In and around Mittagong there are several easily accessible walking tracks,
including one to the old Box Vale Mine. There are also a number of trails
around Mittagong's Lake Alexandra, which was built by damming drainage
water from the town, and attracts a wide variety of domestic and wild birdlife.
The Tourist Information Centre in Winifred West Park has full details of
all the walks available.
The Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre is in Main Street.
Mount Gibraltar
The mount (863m - 2831 ft), known locally as The Gib, is the highest point
between the Illawarra Coast and the Great Dividing Range beyond the Wollondilly
River. It rises 240m (787 ft) above Mittagong to the north, and 180m
(591 ft) above Bowral on its southern flank. From the summit, on clear
days, there are views to the Sydney area (north), the Blue Mountains
(north and north-west), the Cuckbundoon Range (south-west) and to Mt
Keira above Wollongong.
The mountain and its lookouts can be reached by following Oxley Drive from
Bowral or Mittagong, or there are fire trails and foot tracks for dedicated
bushwalkers. The Tourist Information Offices have details of all the lookouts,
and maps of the various tracks.
Bowral
Bowral was originally part of a property granted to the explorer John Oxley,
and in 1859, 200 acres of his estate were subdivided by members of his
family to coincide with the news of the coming of the railway. The village
was first known as Wingecarribee (now the name of the Shire), then Burradoo,
and finally in 1867, Bowral. The town was the site of the first store
in the district, but development was slow until the opening of the railway
From 1870 onwards, the village grew rapidly, and by 1890 was considered
a fashionable resort where Sydneysiders could retreat from the heat of
summer. Now, with a population of 8,500, the town is a blend of historic
buildings, quaint old residential cottages and commercial premises. There
is a uniformity to the architecture, and a large number of mature deciduous
trees form a backdrop for magnificent public and private gardens.
Bendooley Street is subject to a Heritage Commission protection order,
to prevent it from being altered. The Berrima District Historical Society
has compiled an historical tour of Bowral, beginning at the Corbett Gardens,
one block east of the main street, and visiting twelve attractions. The
Information Centre has details.
The Bradman Museum, 4862 1247, is in St Jude Street, overlooking the Bradman
Oval, and opposite his former home (52 Shepherd Street, which is a private
residence), hopen daily 10am-4pm. It was on the Oval that Bradman played
his first game of cricket when he was twelve, and where, in 1925, he scored
a sparkling 234 for Bowral against the Wingello team that included bowler
Bill O'Reilly.
The Museum has an incredible array of cricket-related material, ranging
from an oak bat of the 1750s through to Allan Border's helmet used during
the 1989 Ashes series. But, naturally, anything to do with the late Sir
Donald (1908-2001) takes pride of place, and he has donated many objects,
including the bat he used at Headingley in 1934 to score his second highest
Test innings of 304. Admission is $7.50 adults, $3.50 children and $20
for families. A website containing everything you want to know about The
Don is: www.bradman.org.au
For cricket fans, there is also The Bradman Walk, a self-guided tour through
Bowral visiting some of the sites associated with the great cricketer.
It begins at the Museum and Oval, and includes the school, St Simon & St
Jude's Church, the Empire Cinema, his workplace in Bong Bong Street and
two houses where he once lived.
Moss Vale
The town of Moss Vale stands on part of the original grant made to the
district's first European settler, Charles Throsby, who played an important
part in the exploration of New South Wales, opening up not only the Southern
Highlands, but also the South Coast, Goulburn and Canberra regions. His
nephew, also named Charles, came to live in the district and established
Throsby Park as a well respected grazing property.
Throsby Park was inhabited by the family until 1990, and although originally
a colonial Georgian home, it was added to in later periods, evident in
the architecture, furnishings, decoration and garden. The site is open
by arrangement and guided yours are available, contact The National Parks
and Wildlife Service 4887 7270 for information and bookings. The is a small
entry fee for park usage, with all proceeds going to the restoration and
maintenance of Throsby Park.
Scenic attractions in the area include Belmore and Fitzroy Falls, and Morton
National Park, with its 55km (34 miles) of river frontages and virgin bushland.
Fitzroy Falls
The falls are within 100m of the car park and visitor information centre
in Morton National Park, one of the largest National Parks in New South
Wales, covering an area of over 154,000ha (380,380 acres). The Falls
cascade 82m (269 ft) to the valley below, and there are two scenic walking
tracks, one on each side of the escarpment, that provide spectacular
views from a series of lookouts along the way. Each track is approximately
3km in length, taking 1-2 hours walking. The visitor information centre
has details of these, and of other attractions through the park.
Berrima
Situated 14km (9 miles) south of Mittagong on the Hume Highway, Berrima
is considered the best remaining example of a small Australian town of
the 1830s. The town was founded in 1829 by Sir Thomas Mitchell, the Surveyor-General
of New South Wales, and in its heyday was an affluent community with
a population of over 500. Many of the original buildings have been restored,
and former hotels now trade as craft shops, galleries and restaurants.
The walking 2.5km tour of Berrima begins at the Berrima District Historical
Museum and Information Centre, and visits the following: Berrima House,
built in 1835, and once host to bushranger Ben Hall; Berrima Bridge Nursery,
formerly a private girls' school; Brian Mc-Mahon's Pub, 1840; The Coach
and Horses Inn, 1835, now a private home; The Market Place Park; Victoria
Inn, 1834; The Barn Gallery; The Large Oak Tree, planted by Sir Henry Parkes
in 1890; Post Office, 1836; Surveyor General Inn, 1835, the oldest continuously
licensed inn in Australia still trading within its original walls; Superintendent's
House, built in the 1880s as the Governor's House for the Gaol; Berrima
Gaol; Deputy Superintendent's House; Bulls Head Fountain; Lambie's Well,
1840; Court House, 1833; Sandstone Cottages in Argyle Street; Presbyterian
Church; Bellview House; Ardleigh; Harper's Mansion, 1834; Old Well; Colonial
Inn; The Berrima Gallery; the Old Bakery; Holy Trinity Church; Magistrate's
House; The White Horse Inn; and St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1849.
There are also a few other walks that take visitors further afield, and
the Information Centre has details.
Robertson
The town was named in honour of John Robertson who was responsible for
the Land Act of 1861 under which land was thrown open for selection before
survey. The Robertson Nature Reserve, located 300m south of the township,
is easily accessible and is an important conservation area, containing
about 5ha (12 acres) of the Yarrawa Brush vegetation which, prior to
European settlement, covered about 2500ha (6175 acres) around what is
now Robertson township.
Up until the 1950s, farmers in the area were still clearing the native
timber, and the casual visitor must wonder what made them persevere against
such overwhelming odds. Today the Robertson area is one of the most beautiful
to be found anywhere, with its rolling red soil country and rugged bushland.
Bundanoon
The town of Bundanoon has been a holiday spot for decades, but still manages
to retain a quiet village atmosphere. It is a bushwalker's paradise,
with walks going to Glow Worm Glen, Fern Glen, Fairy Bower Falls, and
the Amphitheatre, amongst other places. The Southern Highlands Visitor
Information Centre has all the details on durations of walks, and fitness
required.
In April, Bundanoon goes Scottish in more than name alone, with the popular
annual "Brigadoon" festival. The entertainment is as you'd expect, the
day filled with the unmistakable tune of bagpipes, traditional dancing
and a host of highland games.
Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley is situated on a plateau between the Highlands and the
coast, and is easily accessible. The Kangaroo River winds through the
valley, and is crossed by the Hampden Suspension Bridge, built in 1898
of castellated stone by convict labour. The bridge is named after Viscount
Hampden, Governor of New South Wales at that time. The river under the
bridge is popular for swimming and canoeing. Barbecue and toilet facilities
are provided.
Adjacent to the bridge is the Pioneer Settlement Museum, with a fully furnished
old farm homestead, a dairy, and a machinery shed, set in picnic grounds
with barbecue facilities. The museum is open daily 9am-5pm.
Historic Barrengarry Store and Post Office is found 1km north of the Suspension
Bridge. They were established in 1880 and retain the old-world charm of
a pioneer general store that sells almost everything.
The Kangaroo Valley village has many coffee shops, craft shops and specialty
stores, while the river offers many spots for picnicking, swimming, bushwalking
and canoeing.
Bendeela Pondage and Pumping Station is 7km (4 miles) west of the Main
Road, on Bendeela Road. Here water is pumped 127 (417 ft) vertically to
a reservoir above Fitzroy Falls. A picnic area, barbecues and toilets are
provided. Kangaroo Valley can also be reached easily from Nowra.
Festivals
January - Bowral Horse Show.
February - Mittagong Dahlia Festival and Fun Run. Kangaroo Valley Show.
March - Robertson Show. Moss Vale Show.
Easter - Berrima Art Society Exhibition. Musica Viva (biennial).
April - Brigadoon Day, Bundanoon.
August - Bowral Horse Show.
September - Tulip Time Festival, Bowral. Bowral Fun Run.
October - Tulip Time Festival, Bowral. Berrima District Art Society Exhibition.
December - Moss Vale Summer Gymkhana.
Facilities
The towns have a wide range of facilities for all types of sporting activities,
and the Tourist Information Centres have all the details.
