Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Mittagong, Australia

As you travel up to the picturesque Southern Highlands from Sydney, the first significant town you will encounter is Mittagong.

This locale offers an opportunity to spend an afternoon exploring antiques while indulging in high tea, and the surrounding area boasts a plethora of wineries and cellar doors nestled within the verdant hills of the Southern Highlands.

Consequently, Mittagong serves as an excellent base for a wine-tasting holiday. Alternatively, if you are seeking a more adventurous experience, you can trek through pristine nature to discover waterfalls and elevated lookouts.

Moreover, the town of Bowral, celebrated for its floral displays and as the childhood home of cricketer Donald Bradman, is located a mere five minutes from Mittagong.

1. Southern Highlands Wine Region

Within a span of three decades, the Southern Highlands has established itself as a distinguished cool-climate wine region, with Mittagong serving as one of its primary hubs.

Numerous wineries, both large and boutique, are readily accessible from the town.

As a wine region, the landscape contributes to its allure, featuring idyllic rolling hills adorned with continuous rows of vines, nourished by volcanic soils and an extended ripening period.

Moreover, sparkling wine is a specialty in the Southern Highlands, with the prominent grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Most wineries also produce a Cabernet Sauvignon blend with subtle berry notes.

2. Donald Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

The legendary batsman Donald Bradman (1908-2001) grew up just ten minutes away in Bowral.

It is difficult to overemphasize Bradman’s accomplishments and legacy in cricket, which are comparable to those of Michael Jordan in basketball and Babe Ruth in baseball.

In fact, the reverence for him is so profound that in 2010, this exceptional museum chronicling his career also became the Hall of Fame for the sport, transforming into a pilgrimage site for cricket enthusiasts globally.

Whether you are new to the sport or a lifelong fan, the innovative exhibits here guide visitors through the history of cricket, highlighting its influential figures and the origins of its various formats.

Furthermore, you will gain insight into Bradman’s extraordinary career, complemented by a walking trail around Bowral that stops at significant locations from his childhood.

3. Lake Alexandra Reserve

There is no need to venture far from Mittagong’s central business district for a dose of serene nature.

Lake Alexandra is a manmade reservoir, established in the late 19th century to supply water to engines transporting coal from Mount Alexandra to the Fitzroy Iron Mines.

Those industrial days are long abandoned, and for over a century, Lake Alexandra has provided a destination for relaxation and leisure, framed by the picturesque wooded slopes of Mount Alexandra.

Visitors can enjoy an 800-meter mixed-use trail encircling the lake, abundant birdlife, picnic shelters, barbecues, and an excellent children’s playground.

Be sure to bring something to feed the ducks, geese, and turtles.

4. Artemis Wines

Since its establishment in 1996, this family-operated winery became the first in the Southern Highlands to cultivate the now-popular Pinot Noir vines.

Recognized by some as the pioneers of Pinot Noir, the Balog brothers hail from a lineage with seven generations of winemaking expertise.

Artemis employs a blend of traditional and modern techniques, producing wines with the refinement and complexity expected from European varietals, along with the distinctive characteristics of Australian grapes.

The cellar door operates from Wednesday to Sunday, offering cheese and charcuterie boards as well as wood-fired pizzas on Sundays.

5. Sturt Gallery

Mittagong is home to the oldest craft center in the nation, founded in 1941 and continues to serve as a leading institution for contemporary craft and design.

Sturt conducts full-time and part-time courses across various disciplines, including metalwork, ceramics, basketry, textiles, woodwork, and design and fabrication.

Apart from its educational role, Sturt functions as a visitor attraction set within beautiful gardens, showcasing a year-round exhibition program that features the work of some of Australia’s most skilled artisans.

Additionally, there is an exceptional retail space that highlights the work of around 300 designers and makers annually, alongside a charming café offering delightful treats and refreshments.

6. Eden Brewery

Mittagong also boasts a remarkable craft brewery that was established in 2017, with a strong commitment to sustainability.

Ten percent of Eden’s profits are directed toward Oxfam for water conservation initiatives, and the brewery operates solely on renewable energy.

The taproom is open for visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00-20:00. As of May 2020, Eden was serving an IPA, a Hefeweizen, a cherry sour, a Pilsner, a Bockbier, a black Porter, and an apple cider.

Guests can learn about the brewing process through a private tour available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

7. Tertini Wines

Located just ten minutes from Mittagong, Tertini Wines is another must-visit cellar door in the Southern Highlands, set in typically scenic countryside.

This esteemed winery is known for producing premium cool-climate wines that benefit from extended ripening periods, low yield, and meticulous hand-pruning and harvesting.

If you are looking to enhance your cellar, Tertini Wines are recognized for their heightened natural acidity, ensuring excellent aging potential.

The cellar door offers Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and sparkling Chardonnay, with operations running seven days a week from 10:00 to 17:00.

8. Mount Gibraltar Reserve

Reaching a height of 863 meters, the ridge of Mount Gibraltar forms a substantial barrier between Mittagong and Bowral to the south.

Commonly referred to as “The Gib,” this is a volcanic remnant distinguished by its conical peak. On a clear day, one can see the Sydney skyline from the summit.

During the Great Depression, scenic viewing points were established on the slopes as part of public works initiatives.

On the southern side lies the Bowral Lookout, situated just minutes from Bowral’s central business district.

Among the trees, benches await visitors, and the lookout’s wooden platform features a sign indicating the visible landmarks, including Bowral, the Wingecarribee Valley, and Capital Country.

9. Jellore and Mittagong Lookouts

On the Mittagong side of Mount Gibraltar, there are two additional remarkable vantage points, conveniently located near the town center.

The Jellore Lookout, situated on the northwest side, allows you to trace the Southern Railway Line as it traverses between Mittagong and Bowral, while also providing views to the north towards the Nattai Wilderness and the Blue Mountains.

To the east lies the Mittagong Lookout, where you can appreciate the full beauty of the surrounding landscape and its volcanic summits.

10. Mittagong Antiques Centre

This antiques center is precisely the type of establishment one hopes to find in a town like Mittagong; it is a genuine treasure trove.

Home to more than 45 dealers, this center showcases antiques and collectibles sourced from various corners of the globe.

In a brief overview, you can discover an array of items including silverware, collectibles, automotive accessories, vintage medical kits, china, upcycled objects, clocks, religious artifacts, furniture, clothing, jewelry, militaria, and vintage toys.

Additionally, you can find pieces from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, as well as in the Art Deco style, alongside exemplary works by contemporary artisans from the Southern Highlands.

11. Box Vale Walking Track

This trail, commencing in Welby, leads you into the Southern Highlands in an unexpectedly gentle manner.

This is made possible because the Box Vale Walking Track closely follows the path of a long-abandoned 19th-century colliery railway, resulting in minimal gradients.

Extending for 4.4 kilometers (one way), it allows hikers to traverse beautiful bushland along embankments and cuttings.

The highlight is a 1.8-kilometer tunnel, intricately carved from the rock.

The trailhead features a picnic area and restroom facilities, and along the route, you can detour to a waterfall, which will be detailed below.

12. Nattai Gorge Lookout

Upon reaching the end of the Box Vale Track, you will arrive at the edge of the Nattai Escarpment, where the reward is a breathtaking view that stretches for kilometers over seemingly untouched land.

At the Nattai Gorge Lookout, you can gaze upon the gorge itself, and on clear days, the peaks of the Blue Mountains in Katoomba can be seen 80 kilometers to the north.

13. Joadja Estate

The oldest wine estate in the Southern Highlands is situated just 15 minutes away by road in Berrima.

Established in 1983, Joadja has recently obtained new ownership.

Visitors may stop by the cellar door for tastings, which as of 2020 include a refreshing sparkling Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with currant notes, a peach-infused reserve Chardonnay, and a sparkling Moscato, among others.

Additionally, Joadja produces a boysenberry liqueur, distilled from locally grown boysenberries found in the Southern Highlands.

Stay informed about Joadja’s offerings and special events such as live music by visiting their website.

14. Forty Foot Falls

Branching off the Box Vale Track, a short but challenging detour leads to this waterfall, which reaches a height of 12 meters.

Forty Foot Falls is nestled within a rocky gorge lush with ferns, located mere hundreds of meters from the Hume Motorway, although it feels worlds away from civilization.

After departing from the Box Vale Track, you will need to navigate some rugged terrain, especially if you aim to appreciate the falls from the front rather than from atop.

The water cascades over the rock face like a delicate curtain, creating rainbows in favorable lighting, and you could easily spend an hour traversing the rocks and enjoying views of the falls from behind the cave.

15. Tulip Time Festival

One of the country’s oldest and most attended floral festivals occurs annually in nearby Bowral over a span of two weeks at the start of October.

During this festival, over 75,000 tulips and approximately 15,000 annuals bloom in the dainty Corbett Gardens, delivering magnificent displays.

Additionally, around 40,000 tulips bloom throughout the Shire, creating a vibrant tapestry of color across the region.

Complementing the public gardens and their photogenic blooms, the festival includes live entertainment, workshops on floral art, and opportunities to explore exquisite private gardens within the town.