About the area: the Southern Highlands mark the northern extremities of the Southern Agricultural region of New South Wales. One of the many special things about the Southern Highlands is that you don't have to travel far to discover the many picturesque towns and villages, each with its own history and identity. The Southern Highlands is a gourmet lover's delight - there is wine Tasting, Cellar Doors Sales, Berry Picking, Home Made Preserves, Sauces, Vinegars, Spices and Salad Dressings, Robertson Potatoes, Fresh Produce, Road Side Farm Produce Stalls, the list goes on.
The Hume Highway winds its way south from the Southern Highlands through rich, rolling countryside. Towns like Goulburn, Yass and Gundagai dot the countryside and are steeped in early colonial history. To their south of Goulburn and Yass is the Australian Capital Territory and Canberra, the nation's capital. Beyond the ACT is a treasure trove of former goldmining towns and mining camps in what is known as the Southern Goldfields of NSW. The almost tree-less Monaro Plains to Canberra's south herald the Snowy Mountains, Australia's highest mountains. they are home to the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, the biggest civil engineering project ever undertaken in Australia, and the New South Wales ski resorts.
Southern Highlands: The Southern Highlands has long been the perfect weekend escape for jaded Sydneysiders looking to get away and unwind for a while. There is something for everyone - markets, antiques books and speciality shops; quaint historic villages, all surrounded by rolling green hills, rain forest and national parks. The numerous towns and villages of the highlands are close together, so the journey from one to the other is short, yet each town has its own characteristic that make it different and unique.
National Parks: The national parks of the region protect a number of wilderness areas that are incredably close to two of Australia's larger cities. Morton, Budawang, Deua and Wadbilliga National Parks, part of the Great Dividing Range to the region's west, contain some of the most stunningly picturesque rugged mountain scenery in the country. Containing a variety of terrain from volcanic peaks to flat plateaux dissected by steep gorges, their hidden valleys hold rainforests, and heaths that fill with wildflowers in spring. These parks are a bushwalker's paradise. The Budawangs
|
Australian Capital Territory: Wholly surrounded by the state of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory is the site of Canberra, Australia's capital city, which is the Territory's major feature. Canberra is Australia's largest inland city. As well as the seat of Government for the Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra has been developed as a celebration of and salute to Australia's culture, its unique natural features and its notable sons and daughters.
Mount Kosciuszko: Kosciuszko National Park is one of the best known and best loved national parks in Australia, attracting around three million visitors each year. The park is named after Mount Kosciuszko, which at 2,228 metres is Australia's highest mountain. There are many recreational opportunities available in Kosciuszko that allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, particularly in the warmer months when the snow has gone. These range from activities around the developed resort areas through to self reliant recreation in the wilderness. Walking tracks pass crystal clear streams, glacial lakes, deep gorges, high peaks, historic huts and other culturally significant sites, and even lead to Kosciuszko's summit.
|
Monaro High Country:
Billed as one of the seven wonders of New South Wales,
Monaro High Country stretches
the length of the South Coast region,
its main feature being the Snowy Mountains
. Winter is renowned for its picturesque snow fields, Spring is a multitude of rural shows and festivals, a
time
the mountains are painted with wildflowers and blossoms. Summer provides for relaxing fishing and bush walking activities with Autumn portraying the regions brilliant colours during its warm days and cool nights. These distinct four seasons combined with the friendliness of its people has given the region a relaxing but productive lifestyle.
The Snowy Valleys Way drive: A great alternative to the boring Hume Highway, this touring route is perfect for travellers between Sydney and Melbourne who have a little time up their sleeve to detour via the Snowy Mountains (it only adds 65 km to the journey). Coming from Melbourne, you take the Beechworth exit and literally head for the hills. The journey takes in the historic goldmining town of Beechworth; through "Man From Snowy River" country (Towong, Corryong), past the Kosciuszko Main Range and the towns of Tumbarumba and Khancoban; dams and power stations of the Snowy Mountains Scheme; the apple growing town of Batlow; before rejoining the highway at Gundagai.
|
| Visiting The Region: The Facts |
How to Get There: by road south from Sydney via Hume Highway; by road north from melbourne via Hume Highway.
By rail from Sydney either via the twice-daily Sydney to Melbourne XPT service. Trains stop at Moss Vale, Goulburn, Gunning, Yass Junction, Harden, Cootamundra, Junee, Wagga Wagga, The Rock, Henty, Culcairn and Albury.
The Canberra Xplorer is a daily rail service to Canberra (stopping at Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, Bundanoon, Goulburn, Tarago, Bungendore, Queanbeyan and Canberra). The Canberra Xplorer service connects by coach to Bombala, Bibbenlake, Nimmitabel, Cooma, Bredbo and Michelago.
Best Time To Go: the inland region of southern New South Wales is predominantly a year round destination. It enjoys a mild temperate climate. Highland regions are much colder in winter, and are popular destinations for "Christmas In July" festivities.
The mountainous areas of the Great Dividing Range in the south east, which extend across the border into eastern Victoria, are the highest mountains in Australia and host an annual ski season between June (Queen’s Birthday long weekend) and 1st week in October. Outside the ski season, there is little or no snow, which sees a shift in the type of visitors from skiers to other recreational activities such as walking, riding, fishing etc.
|
|
|
|
|
