Braidwood

A heritage treasure, Braidwood is a historic gold-rush town halfway between the national capital and seaside Batemans Bay. You’ll find plenty of delightful things to do and see, from colonial streetscape to antique shops, country pubs, horseriding and ancient rainforest in nearby Monga National Park.

Gold fever struck the already prosperous pastoral area in the 1850s. You can explore the gold rush and learn about Jembaicumbene, Majors Creek and Araluen goldfields and bushrangers the Clarke gang at the Braidwood Museum, in the old Royal Mail Hotel, built from local granite in the 1840s.

With many impressive colonial buildings, Braidwood is a National Trust-classified town and the first to be listed on the NSW State Heritage register. The rustic streetscape and rural beauty appear in the iconic films Ned Kelly, starring Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger, The Year My Voice Broke and Flirting.

A number of accommodation options are available in and around Braidwood, from camping to hotels, a manor and Araluen Old Courthouse Bed and Breakfast, built in 1866. There are delicious cafes, hearty pub meals and TorPeas, a restaurant, bar and cafe in a former farmhouse built in 1860.

The town is an artistic hub, with artists, potters, ironworkers, craftspeople and designers. Check out the events calendar for markets and festivals, such as the Braidwood Festival and Airing of the Quilt in November. The Majors Creek Festival is a jazz, blues and folk music event held in the same month.

A short drive east of Majors Creek taste local apple cider at Sully’s Cider at the Old Cheese Factory. Nearby is beautiful Monga National Park, where the Penance Grove walking track is through ancient rainforest and you can enjoy the free barbecue facilities at the pretty Mongarlowe River picnic area.