Southern Highlands Area Attractions Directory : Natural Attractions
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The Bowral Lookout provides a scenic site overlooking Bowral and Moss Vale. Mount Gingenbullen, and the Cuckbundoon Ranges (near Goulburn) can be seen in the distance. Several walking tracks radiate from here and there is car parking, toilets, tables, picnic areas and shelters available.
The Box Vale Mine Walking Track to the Box Vale Lookout follows the formation of an historic railway line and passes through cuttings, along embankments and through a tunnel 84 metres is length. Although much of the surrounding terrain is steep and rocky, the 4.4 kilometres walking track has easy grades and the return walk takes about three hours. Box Vale Mine Walking Track Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
At the Box Vale Picnic Area, picnic tables and barbeques are provided near the trackhead car park and the lookout beyond the tunnel. Toilets are located to the east of the car park. Water is not provided at the barbeque areas. Box Vale Walking Track Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
The Kangaroo River tumbles off the sandstone escarpment at Carrington Falls. This striking waterfall is one of Budderoo National Park most popular attractions, and you can view it from three lookouts, one of which is wheelchair-accessible.
The turn-off to the falls is signposted 8 kilometres south-east of Robertson, along the Jamberoo Pass Road leading to Kiama via Jamberoo. The road forks 2 kilometres after this, with the left-hand road leading to Thomas' Place. You'll find the lookouts and p...
The Cave Creek Walking Track is 14 kilometres north of Mittagong and can be reached by bitumen roads. This track provides a leisurely walk of 2.6 kilometres and takes one to two hours to complete the return journey. The track descends through various natural settings to Cave Creek, which as the name suggests passes through a small cave.
There are a number of short steep sections along the track. Steps and a ladder have been constructed to assist walkers. A car park and picnic area have bee...
The Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve is situated on the banks of the Wingecarribee River near Moss Vale. Well over 80 species of birds have been recorded in the area, and are abundant during spring and summer. Kangaroos can be seen in the area adjacent to the wetland. The lagoon and swamp area of the Reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary on the 2nd December 1932. The area is now managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, visitors have access to many of the facilities including picni...
The walk to Fairy Bower Falls, starts at Gambells Rest Picnic area or Fairy Bower car park, Morton National Park, Bundanoon. The walk offers a huge variety of walks, views to wonderful waterfalls and picnic areas. A highlight of this area is Tooths Lookout and Fairy Bower Waterfalls.
Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre in Mittagong or National Parks & Wildlife Service at Fitzroy Falls.
Fitzroy Falls and the Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days per week with extensive facilities for people with disabilities which include a boardwalk to the two main lookouts. Visitors to Fitzroy Falls can enjoy two walks along the edge of the escarpment offering magnificent views of the valley and rainforest gullies from 15 lookouts. The popular East Rim Wildflower walk is 7.6 kilometres return and the West Rim walk that offers views of the lower and main falls is 3.8 kilometre return. Alt...
Forty Foot Falls is located on the Forty Foot Falls Walking Track from Lake Alexandra at Mittagong. This is an easy to medium walk starting at the Lake and follows the creek downstream to a fire trail. A large cave is behind the falls. Walking maps are available at the Visitors Information Centre in Mittagong.
Gibbergunya took its name from Gibbergunya Creek. Gibbergunyah is a reserve for public recreation and for the presservation of native flora and fauna. The kangaroo, wombat and echidna have often been seen on the Gibbergunya Walking Track. Track brochures are available at the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
Glow Worm Glen Walk starts at William Street, Morton National Park, Bundanoon. Glow worms are only visible after dark. A torch is essential to negotiate the track safely. To help protect the glow worms, turn off torches once you reach the glen, keep quiet and stay on the platform.
Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre in Mittagong or National Parks & Wildlife Service at Fitzroy Falls.
Howards Lane Vineyard is a small vineyard situated in the beautiful Southern Highlands region, and produces high quality premium wines. The owners, Mary and Tony Betteridge, give a personal welcome to visitors at their cellar door. The cellar door is used for tasting Howards Lane wines as well as hosting functions for small and large groups of up to 100 people.
Visitors are also welcome to help with the farm activities, such as harvesting the grapes. Above the farm, there are some glorious wal...
Manning Lookout is located just a short drive from the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre along the Nowra Road. From the car park a walking track leads to a lookout offering excellent views of Kangaroo Valley.
Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre in Mittagong or National Parks & Wildlife Service at Fitzroy Falls.
The township of Mittagong, the Old Hume Highway and railway line is clearly visible. Mount Alexandra Reserve is opposite with the area of the Nattai wilderness and Sydney Water Catchment area. To the right Mt Keira is visible. The Cavern is 50 metres below on the Reservoir track.
Brochures are available from the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
This park presents sandstone scenery on a grand scale. To the north, Fitzroy Falls and Belmore Falls plunge off the plateau into rainforest gullies. To the south, Pigeon House Mountain and Little Forest Plateau offer great views of the coastline and the Budawang and Ettrema wilderness areas. There are opportunities for extensive remote-area bushwalking from a number of locations. Backpack camping more than 1 kilometre from roads is permitted throughout most of the park. Car-based and limited car...
Mount Alexandra Reserve is 2000 hectares (5,000 acres) in area bounded in the south by the urban areas of Mittagong, Welby and Willow Vale. It extends north along the Nattai River Valley for 8 kilometres. Alexandra Reserve includes Box Vale Walking Track, Nattai Loop Track, Forty Foot Falls, Yellow Track, Green Track & Red Track and is a bushland reserve for public recreation and is rich in native flora, fauna and interesting landscapes.
There are picnic areas with town water and toilets at...
Mount Carnarvon is a 30 minute return walk starting at Echo Point Picnic Area, in the Morton National Park at Bundanoon. This is a short, pretty walk through bushland to the escarpment returning the same way.
Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre in Mittagong or National Parks & Wildlife Service at Fitzroy Falls.
Mount Gibraltar at 863 metres is a collapsed volcanic core composed of very hard rock called Mount Gibraltar Trachyte or micro-syenite. 150 million years ago it pushed through the Hawkesbury Sandstone to form a high mountain now largely eroded away by wind and water. Mount Gibraltar is the highest point between the Illawarra Coast and the Great Dividing Range. It offers a range of short walks, with duration times of between 10 and 25 minutes.
Mount Gibraltar is located in Bowral and maps are...
Mount Gibraltar Reserve is rich in flora and fauna and the inner bowl of the mountain provides a protected site where the rich soil supports a unique vegetation community of eucalypts with an under story of ferns.
There are many picnic areas, lookouts and walking tracks. The lookouts include Oxley View Lookout which overlooks the original 'Wingecarribee' grant to John Oxley c1820, Mount Jellore Lookout regarded as the finest view on the mountain and Mittagong Lookout, overlooking the townshi...
Mount Jellore Lookout is located in the Mount Gibraltar Reserve, Bowral. It is regarded as the finest view on the mountain with the Mittagong-Bowral Road and the Main Southern Railway. In the far distance, the Nattai and Kanangra wilderness areas and the Blue Mountains (Katoomba) can be seen.
Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
Nattai Gorge Lookout is located on the Box Vale Walking Track, Mittagong. Box Vale Walking Track Maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
Robertson Nature Reserve is located in South Street in the rural town of Robertson. This Reserve protects five hectares of temperate rainforest and is an important conservation area. The Reserve is one of the few remnants of the Yarrawa Brush which, prior to European settlement covered 2 500 hectares around what is now Robertson township.
There is a 700 metre loop walk suitable for wheelchairs. Signs along the walk describe the different rainforest plants and wildlife of the Reserve.
Sixty Foot Falls is located on the Red Walking track at Mount Alexandra, Mittagong. Walking track maps are available from the Visitors Information Centre, Mittagong.
A short, spectacular drive from Sydney, Canberra or Wollongong will bring you to a hidden valley where you'll find the Wombeyan Caves. You can explore the Figtree, Wollondilly, Junction, Kooringa and Mulwaree caves on a variety of guided and self-guided tours. Heritage theme tours are also available, taking you back to the 1800s and the Figtree Cave is regarded as the state's premier self-guided cave experience. The cave is accessed via a token-operated door after a short walk from the visitors...