Southern Highlands Tourist Information

The Southern Highlands is an enchanting region, with some of NSW's most beautiful scenery, and is just a short distance from Sydney. The region has a Northern Hemisphere ambience, with cool winters and four clearly defined seasons. There are many attractive towns and quaint villages, generally in beautiful settings. The natural beauty of the countryside with its rolling green hills has been enhanced by over 100 years of plantings of exotic deciduous trees. The rich volcanic soils and relatively high rainfall have meant that "English" gardens have thrived in this region and many are open to the public. There is also a burgeoning vineyard/wine industry and the region is gaining a reputation for fine cool climate wines. The region is a charming blend of old and new, with many historic public and private buildings but also stylish new modern shops. The region has always attracted artistic talent and is well known for its galleries, cafes, restaurants and famous festivals and events which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. National Parks in the region, with some spectacular waterfalls, are great for bushwalking.