The Southern Highlands is a rural and mountainous locality situated 110 kilometres south west of Sydney. The region is centred about the towns of Mittagong, Bowral, Berrima and Bundanoon, and also features a variety of historic villages in between the larger towns.
The Southern Highlands is situated along the plateau of the Great Dividing Range, and due to its location, features a cooler climate on average than much of the mainland. This climate is perfect for wine production.
As of 2016, the Southern Highlands population stood at around 48,000.
Historically, the Southern Highlands region was occupied by the Dharawal and Gundungurra people. European expedition into the region dates back to 1798 when an ex-convict, John Wilson, ventured there on two occasions. In 1815, the Surveyor General John Oxley, established a cattle farm at a place named Argyle, now the site of Moss Vale.
Oxley oversaw the construction of a small village, known as Wingecarribee, which would later become the town of Bowral.
Much of the Southern Highlands history was centred about its industry.
In 1848, the Fitzroy Iron Works was established at Mittagong. The Iron Works had a questionable time of operation, and was abandoned in 1886. It periodically reopened in 1941, before closing again. Some remnants of the Iron Works remain accessible to the public today.
Shale oil was discovered at Joadja in the 1840s.
Now a tourist destination, Mount Gibraltar was a quarry during the later 19TH and early 20th centuries. There was another quarry located at Bundanoon; that one having long since closed.
In 1898, the Maltworks at Mittagong was constructed. The brewery operated until the 1970s when it was abandoned. The brewery produced Tooheys Beer which was transported to Sydney for trade.
The town of Joadja was abandoned in 1911, and has remained as a ghost town since. Much of the town’s original features, including sandstone cottages, shale mines and the cemetery, remain intact and enclosed.
In the 20th century, tourism became the Southern Highlands main source of income.
Mt Gibraltar ceased its operations as a quarry and 60 acres of it was purchased in 1919. After several years of dispute, was declared a park. It is now a popular destination for visitors to Bowral and Mittagong.
Australia’s greatest ever cricketer, Don Bradman, was raised in Bowral and played for the Bowral Cricket Club during the 1920s. The oval at Bowral has since been named in his honour, and is a renowned tourist attraction. Adjacent to the oval is the Bradman Museum. The museum features a wide variety of rare memorabilia and is a must visit for cricket enthusiasts.
The town of Bowral is also home to the yearly Tulip Festival, held in spring, which attracts visitors from all over NSW. The next Festival is due to be held in September 2023.
Nearby Bundanoon hosts the annual Scottish festival ‘Bundanoon is Brigadoon’ every April. The festival features a wide variety of Scottish cultural activities. The festival, which first took place in 1978, raises funds for local charities and sees the largest influx of tourists to Bundanoon throughout the year. The next Bundanoon is Brigadoon will be held on 1st April 2023.
The Southern Highlands is also home to a wide variety of wineries, including Eling Forest, Sutton Forest, Cherry Tree, Cuttaway Hill at Mittagong and Joadja Estate at Berrima. The regions wineries are arguably one of, if not, the predominant reason why many Sydney residents visit the Highlands.
Check out our Southern Highlands Wine Tour page for more information on the wineries we offer!
Also remember that we can tailor your tours to suit your requirements. Feel free to contact us for any group transport to the historic locations or cultural events that you are interested in seeing.
