Southern Highlands

English-style highland countryside southwest of Sydney, with Bowral's Tulip Time, the Bradman Museum, colonial Berrima, waterfalls and cool-climate wineries.

The Southern Highlands lie about 110 km southwest of Sydney in New South Wales, within the Wingecarribee area. This is highland countryside at 600–900 m elevation; the main town is Bowral, with smaller towns including Mittagong, Moss Vale, Berrima, Bundanoon and Robertson. Since the 19th century it has been a summer retreat for Sydney's upper class, and its English-style estates, gardens and deciduous trees have earned it the nickname 'Sydney's backyard garden'. The main areas to explore fall into three parts: first, Bowral and Mittagong, home to the Bradman Museum, Tulip Time in Corbett Gardens, the Mount Gibraltar lookouts, and main-street cafés and antique shops; second, the colonial village of Berrima to the west, and further out the Joadja ghost town and Wombeyan Caves; third, Morton and Budderoo national parks to the south and east, with Belmore, Carrington and other falls, the Bundanoon cliff lookouts and Glow Worm Glen, plus the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk on the edge of the escarpment. The region also has dozens of cool-climate wineries, farm restaurants and truffle farms. About 30–40 minutes' drive southeast of Bowral are Fitzroy Falls and Kangaroo Valley (see the Jervis Bay destination). The seasons are distinct: spring (Sep–Oct) is the liveliest time, with Tulip Time and open gardens; autumn (Apr–May) brings photogenic red and gold foliage; summer is pleasantly cool, and winter is crisp, with occasional frost and the odd snowfall. Getting there: Southern Highlands Line trains from Sydney Central take about 2 hours to Bowral or Bundanoon, but sights are spread out, so hiring a car is recommended; driving from Sydney via the Hume Highway takes about 1.5 hours. Plan on 2–3 days, and book accommodation early for weekends and the flower festival.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries