A guide of what to do in Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

MITTAGONG

 

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Mittagong is a fast growing and bustling town with a lovely mix of country style hospitality, funky stores and fresh, new cafes.

 

Nature lovers are spoilt for choice with Mount Gibraltar a short drive away, Lake Alexandra Reserve an easy walk from the town centre and mountain biking trails up the road at Welby.

 

Head to Mittagong to find all the stores you'll need for a home reno - from a hardware store, flooring, lighting, tiles, seating and beds.... it's all there.

 

 

Things to do in Mittagong Southern Highlands NSW

 


GREAT OUTDOORS



Nestled in between Mount Gibraltar and Mount Alexandra, Mittagong and it’s surrounding areas is a playground for nature lovers!

 

Mount Alexandra Reserve is home to loads of awesome bushwalks.

 

One of our favourites is the Katoomba Lookout Loop Track and check out the 40 Foot Falls and 60 Foot Falls tracks, where you can cool off with a swim in the warmer months.

 

The easy path around Lake Alexandra is perfect for a low-stress wander (and puppy-spotting!) and if you prefer to do it on two wheels, pull on your padded pants and head up the road to Welby Mountain Bike Trails


 

 

Katoomba Lookout Walking Track at Mittagong NSW

 


RETAIL THERAPY 



There’s three main shopping precincts in Mittagong.

 

For a traditional high street retail experience of nipping in and out of gorgeous and quirky shops head to the town centre at the fork in the road – where the Old Hume Highway meets Main Street.

 

There’s a big range of fab shops offering everything from fashion to homewares to jewellery to antiques and everything in between. Look out for two local faves, Cotswold InOut Furniture and The Highlands Store. Both are rocking some deadset gorge goodies for your home. 


There is also Highlands Marketplace and Home.Co Highlands for chain stores, supermarkets and a food court.

 

The industrial area around Cavendish Street is a haven for home reno addicts and furniture fanatics. You’ll find flooring companies, indoor and outdoor furniture specialists and more around here. Gubbins Pulbrook Mitre 10 and the Highlands Selection Centre up on Main Street is also becoming a central hub for DIY’ers and renovators. 
 

 

Mittagong Shops and Retail - Superb Design and Interiors

 


WINING + DINING



Mittagong is the multicultural dining centre of the Highlands. Every cuisine you can imagine is represented here. From Paste (headed up by the amazing Michelin-star chef, Bee Satongun) for Thai fusion deliciousness through to Nasz Stolik for loading up on traditional Polish fare.
 

There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants to keep all foodies happy. We love Gumnut Patisserie for the oh-so-tasty pastries and goodies, the amazing Four Seasons Bistro for super-tasty vegan and vegetarian food (you won’t be able to resist their raw treats cabinet!) and Glass Bistro at the Highlands Golf Club for a delicious range of food for brekkie, lunch and dinner.

 

Mittagong RSL has a humongous menu and has recently opened its awesome Tabatinga Play Centre. What a wonderful way to keep the kiddies entertained and enjoy a good meal out with the fam. 

 

We’re also totally digging the recently renovated Mittagong Hotel. The interiors are just gorge, the menu sounds divine, they’re hosting loads of fun events and live music and they’ve still got their beautiful heritage tree providing lovely shade in the courtyard. 


Eden Brewery has their awesome, local brews on tap with Boozy Burgers parked out the front. 

 

Artemis Wines whip up delicious pizzas on Sundays, or you can order a cheese plate when you head to their cellar door for some wine-tasting (and they make gin, people!).
 

Plus there's the newest bar on the block, Hendriks Bar & Grill - a funky, relaxed spot for drinks and casual food done really well. Grab a cocktail and watch the world go by from the upstairs balcony. 

 

For tasty Italian checkout  Il Trullo  in MIttagong. Delicious wood fired-pizza and beautiful Italian dishes are on the menu. Drooooool.....

 

Oh and if you like whipping up your own gourmet creations at home, head down to Owen Street and stock up on cheeses, meats and delicious bites at Il Topolino Alimentari Delicatessan before swinging by Ms Peacock Confections for chocolate and sweet sweet treats.

 

See? Something for everyone in Mittagong! 

 

 

Artemis Wines at Mittagong NSW

 

 


MOVERS AND MAKERS



There are some super talented locals in Mittagong. Say g’day to: 

 

Anthony Springfield Black Parrot Art and Framing Mittagong

 


EVENTS 



It’s market central on the third and fifth Saturdays on every month. A favourite with local green thumbs, Mittagong Markets has a huge range of plants, garden art and outdoor sculptures available. Also great for gift shopping, there is plenty of delicious home baked treats to tantalise tastebuds too. Held in the Uniting Church grounds on the corner of Alice and Albert Streets, there’s plenty of open space for browsing and social distancing! 

And, of course there is always something happening locally - workshops, classes, performance - The Fold's Event Directory will keep you up to date with local events
 

 

Mittagong Markets in the Southern Highlands NSW

 


STEP BACK IN TIME



For those that love a bit of history and don’t mind a walk, head to the Box Vale Walking Track and follow the old tramway cuttings through to the old tunnel. There’s plenty of signage with info on the history of the Box Vale Tramway along the way. 


Update :: This walking track has been temporarily closed by Council after storm damage - we'll update this article when it reopens. 



You can also find relics of Australia’s first ironworks underneath the Aldi in Mittagong, discovered when the foundations for the supermarket were built over ten years ago. And the abandoned Mittagong Maltings (just north of town), built in 1899, has just been bought by some property developers with the hopes of giving this grand old dame of Southern Highlands historic buildings a new lease of life some time soon. 
 

 

 

Box Vale Walking Track near Mittagong NSW

 


RAINY DAYS



We love searching for treasure and vintage finds at antique stores on rainy days, and there are  three fabulous antique stores for you in and close by to Mittagong to spend hours hunting for something spesh while it's wet and miserable outside. 

The Sturt Gallery & Studios is another way to wile away a rainy afternoon. Home to the world class Sturt School for Wood, there is always a fabulous exhibition to get inspired by. Stop by the contemporary retail space and café while you’re there. 


And Fundamental Gallery has moved to Mittagong - always something interesting and unique on show. 
 

To get the body moving, try something new and have a ton of indoor fun, then you’ve gotta head to Highlands Hatchets. Unleash your inner lumberjack by throwing axes with your pals and then head over to Eden Brewery for some well-deserved brews and tasty bites from Boozy Burgers.  
 

 

Sturt Gallery and Studios in Mittagong Southern Highlands
 


FOR THE KIDS 

 

There’s loads of young families living in Mittagong. It has such a family-friendly and buzzy vibe and lots for the kids to do!



Neeny’s Playhouse will help the little ones burn off all their crazy energy, while the newly renovated Highlands Entertainment Centre will keep older kids busy with a bit of tenpin action - and check out their new mini putt putt course!

 

The recently opened Tabatinga Play Centre at Mittagong RSL has loads to keep the kids active and the whole gang well fed. 


The playground at Lake Alexandra Reserve is a family favourite, as is Winifred West Park on Regent Street – plenty of green space for kids to run about and to lay out a picnic blanket. 



In the warmer months, Mittagong Swimming Centre is a beautiful space for the family to cool off. Surrounded by trees, there’s plenty of shade and a fun kids pool undercover to keep them splashing about for hours. Sadly it's currently closed due to storm damage. Fingers crossed for an update on that soon!

 

 

 

Mittagong Swimming Centre Pool - kids activities in Mittagong NSW

 


LIVE AND LOCAL 


Local pubs Highlands Hotel and the Mittagong Hotel - regularly put on live music (you might even spot an ex-Wiggle at one of the gigs!).

 

Eden Brewery celebrate everything that is awesome about the weekend with live music most Friday nights. 

 

Mittagong RSL regularly have local muso's playing, as well as live concerts and performances. 

 

And Hendriks help us end the working week with live tunes and cheeky drinks on Friday nights. 


 

 

Live Music at Eden Brewery in Mittagong NSW

 


WHEN FRIENDS COME TO STAY



If you’re hosting visiting friends and fam bam, one of the first places you should go is straight up the Gib!

 

Mount Gibraltar will give you THE best views across Bowral and Mittagong and surrounding areas thanks to it being the highest point between Sydney and Canberra!

 

There are plenty of walking trails, scenic lookouts to update your Insta feed with and a picnic ground right in the centre. 
 

Also if you’ve got friends who love a slice or drive then take them to Highlands Golf Club for a round. Don’t forget to stop in at Glass Bistro for a post-game tipple or bite to eat. 
 

 

 

Mount Gibraltar Reserve Lookout Mittagong NSW

 


WHAT’S NEARBY 



Less than a 30-minute drive west of Mitta, is the historic town of Joadja. Once a thriving shale oil mining and refining site, you can only access it on certain days of the year for public tours or you can organise a private appointment for groups.

 

Head on out via Wombeyan Caves Road and be sure to pop into Joadja Distillery for some crackin’ local spirits while you're there. Come back via Greenhills Road and swing by the oldest vineyard and winery in the Southern Highlands, Joadja Estate.
 

 

Joadja Estate

 


SUPPORTING LOCAL BIZ



We are incredibly lucky to have so many amazing local businesses in Mittagong and our Business Directory is the place to find them! From mechanics to medical centres, landscapers to legal services, beauty salons to builders…..The Fold’s Business Directory has got you covered.   

 

 

OTHER TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS 



Check out our guide to the other towns and villages in the Southern Highlands.

 

 

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