Mittagong

Heritage charms

One of the oldest settlements in the Southern Highlands, the first European settlers arrived in Mittagong in 1821. It was home to the first iron works in Australia, the Fitz Roy Iron Works, which opened in 1848. You can still see ruins of the site, hidden beneath a modern shopping centre. For more local heritage, visit the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre then follow the self-guided the Mittagong Historic Walk.

Town Clock, Mittagong - Credit: Destination Southern Highlands

Eat & drink

Savour the bounty of the Southern Highlands in Mittagong. For fine dining, hatted restaurant Paste is run by Michelin-starred chef Bee Satongun. It takes diners on a palate-tantalising adventure that showcases her bold and masterful approach to Thai cuisine. Dine on authentic Italian in the sunshine yellow dining room of Il Trullo or a classic pub meal inside the heritage Mittagong Hotel, dating back to 1890.

Paste Australia, Mittagong

The region's rich soil and high altitude are ideal for producing cool climate wines, like pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Artemis Wines is a boutique, family-run winery, producing award-winning wines that blend Old World and New. They also make small-batch spirits, aging them in the former wine barrels. Other wineries are within a short drive, like Centennial Vineyards in Bowral and Bendooley Estate and PepperGreen Estate in Berrima.

Artemis Wines, Mittagong - Credit: Artemis Winery & Distillery

Learn the art of brewing from the expert brewers at Eden Brewery, a proudly local and independent craft brewery known for using only the finest ingredients. Book a tour to explore behind the scenes, then unwind with a tasting paddle and a mouthwatering burger from the speakeasy menu.

Eden Brewery, Mittagong

A Victorian-era railway tunnel on the outskirts of town has been transformed into the Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel. Growing gourmet, exotic varieties for commercial sale, you can join an expert mycologist (fungi biologist) for a guided tour that reveals everything from the tunnel's history to the nutritional benefits of mushrooms. Experience life on the land on a tour of Mussett Holdings Regenerative Farm, where there are even more mushrooms, as well as a vegetable garden, chickens, cows, goats, sheep and honey.

Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel Tour, Mittagong - Credit: Little Mountain Mushrooms

Walking & cycling trails

The lush green hills abound with walking and cycling trails. Head to the spectacular Nattai Gorge lookout via the Box Vale Mine walking track, an easy 4.4-kilometre circular trail that follows an old railway line through a tunnel to breathtaking views. Enjoy a picnic in the magnificent Lake Alexandra Reserve or hike up extinct volcanic peak Mount Gibraltar.

Lake Alexandra Reserve, Mittagong - Credit: Destination Southern Highlands

Where to stay

A range of accommodation invites you to stay a little longer in Mittagong. Sleep in a piece of heritage at the Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat, a convict-era traveller's inn that now offers period-style rooms and modern apartments. You can still see the original kitchen, a hand-cut water well and a convict cell. There are also modern holiday houses, historic cottages, chic pub rooms, rural farm stays and a family-friendly caravan park.

Fitzroy Inn Historic Retreat, Mittagong - Credit: The Fitzroy Inn

Getting there

Mittagong is an 80-minute drive from Sydney and just under two hours from Canberra. You can also catch a direct train from Sydney and the journey takes around 90 minutes.