Southern Highlands – Walks
The greater Highlands is renowned for its countless walks, from the natural beauty of majestic waterfalls and sandstone caves to challenging woodland trails or old mining towns. For a complete guide and to download maps visit Destination Southern Highlands.
BERRIMA HISTORIC WALK
Berrima is best explored on foot with a leisurely trail of interesting historic sites and buildings to see or from the sandstone church, follow a lovely track that winds alongside the Wingecarribee river.
Website: http://berrimavillage.com.au/historic-berrima/
GHOST TOURS OF JOADJA
Guided tours through the ruins of a ghost town re-trace the mining settlement’s colourful past.
Website: http://www.joadjatown.com.au
BOX VALE WALK AT MITTAGONG
A trail that follows an historic railway track winding through cuttings, embankments and an 84m tunnel.
Map: http://southern-highlands.com.au
GLOW WORM GLEN
A magical family evening walk, set out at sunset from William St Morton National park, through majestic sandstone ridges to reach a glen glittering with glow worms by evening. The return trip takes about an hour.
Map: bundanoon.com.au
ILLAWARRA FLY TREETOP WALK
Well worth the 46km drive from Berrima, the ‘FLY’, elevated steel treetop walk is unique in NSW. The easy 1.5km trail gives a birds eye perspective of the region’s natural beauty, flora and fauna. Guided tours and visitors café available.
Website: http://www.illawarrafly.com/
WOMBEYAN CAVES – 63km
A heritage tour, adventure tours, explorer passes incorporating a range of options or self-guide trails are all available to suit any level of interest or ability at Wombeyan Caves. With more than 5 individual caves to discover and plenty of grass flats equipped for picnics and recreation above ground.
Website: http://www.oberonaustralia.com.au/visitor-information/national-parks/wombeyan-caves/
Cycling
The Southern Highlands has for many years been a popular cycling destination with the undulating terrain providing plenty of options suited to cycle tourists, mountain bike enthusiasts or occasional riders.
Website: http://www.southern-highlands.com.au/cycling
THE BEST OF BOWRAL
Incorporating the Bowral Bike Track, covers a distance of 12km over mostly flat terrain, taking in the town and scenic areas like leafy Burradoo.
BONG BONG TRACK
Popular with locals and visitors, the track winds its way beside beautiful Wingecarribee River from Burradoo to Moss Vale.
WELBY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
An easy 1.56km trail or a moderate cross country circuit of about 6km for the more adventurous with a mix of clay, sandy soil, loose rocks, some grunty climbs and ‘choose your own line’ sections.
MOUNTAIN BIKING BUNDANOON
Home of Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe and Australia’s Highland Fling Mountain Bike Marathon, Bundanoon offers a variety of easy to moderate rides to suit all levels of ability. Spanning spectacular lookouts, rural roads, nature trails and mountain terrain.
Picnic Places
After working up an appetite, pack a picnic hamper and head to one of Berrima’s picturesque picnic areas.
BERRIMA RIVER RESERVE
Oxley St Berrima; right on the river with a playground and undercover BBQ facilities, and within walking distance of the village’s hitoric houses. The picnic area is on the easy Berrima River Walk, a historical adventure in which visitors can discover what the German merchant seamen built along the Wingecarribee River while interned in Berrima for four years during during WW1.
MARKET PLACE PARK
Hume Highway Berrima; the old village green, in the heart of the village with a fantastic playground and mini fortress for kids.
GOANNA FALLS
A picturesque little picnic area with food BBQ on Greenhills Rd.
Drives
A leisurely drive in the country, what could be more relaxing? There are some great drives throughout the Southern Highlands’ towns and villages, literally up hill and down dale. Along the way you will find attractions, rural vistas, quaint villages, events, wildlife, wineries and historic sites.