The Southern Highlands is located approximately 1 1/2 hours south west of Sydney and is the perfect weekend escape for anyone looking to get away and unwind from the hustle and bustle of big city life. The Highlands are known for it's picturesque towns, historic mansions and public buildings. With a range of delightful rural towns including Bowral, Berrima, Bundanoon, Robertson, Moss Vale, Mittagong all within minutes of each other it is easy to fill a full day in this region.
As well as the comfortable surroundings in the towns, the region boasts many beautiful and spectacular natural attractions to delight the visitor. The Wombeyan Caves, Mt Gibraltar and the Fitzroy Falls are some of the best known of these attractions.
All the towns boasts a wide range of cafes and restaurants including 2 One Hat SMH restaurants, all willing to tempt everyones taste buds. The region also produces many award winning cold climate wines, a specialty of the area.
You will find plenty to do in the area with a plethora of antiques and bookstores, regular weekend markets, open gardens, rain forests and national parks.
Each year the town of Bowral hold its annual Tulip Time Festival which is very popular with tourist and coinsides with many open gardens within the region.
Bowral is also famous as the boyhood home of famous cricketer Sir Donald Bradman. The Bradman Museum located in the town centre was established to honour Australia's greatest cricketer, 'The Boy from Bowral' - Sir Donald Bradman. The Museum was created to be a living centre of cricket, documenting the history of Australian cricket, paying tribute to past cricketers and providing inspiration for the future of the game. This is a must see so all cricket fans. The museum is located within the town centre at the field were Bradman played which if you are luck you will see a match take place.
HOW TO GET TO THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
From Sydney travel South West on the Hume Highway via either the M5 or M7. From Melborne drive north east on the Hume Highway.
From Canberra, travel on the Federal Highway north then join the Hume Highway.
From the South Coast, travel west via the Kangaroo Valley and Berry, or from the north via Albion Park near Wollongong and up Macquarie Pass, visit Robertson the way OR via Picton and the Hume Highway.
THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Old Hume Highway, Mittagong
Open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm Saturday & Sunday.
Phone: Australia-wide: 1300 657 559
SOME WINERIES IN THE AREA
CUTTAWAY HILL ESTATE - http://www.cuttawayhillwines.com.au/
DIAMOND CREEK ESTATE - http://www.diamondcreekestate.com.au/
ELING FOREST VINEYARD AND WINERY - http://www.elingforest.com.au/
CENTENNIAL VINEYARDS - http://www.centennial.net.au/
