Excursions and Outings Close by
Nine Outings to experience – seven days a week !
Berrima
Fill the Picnic Basket with goodies and rug and head to the village of Berrima, just 25 minutes drive – through rolling hills and beautiful landscape! Walk through the heritage listed village, followed by a walk along the river. The Berrima museum is really interesting, and well worth the couple of dollars to learn about life in the pioneer settlement. The Berrima Court House gives value for money too, an impressive sandstone building, visit jury rooms and sit in the cells! The courthouse gives a chilling reminder of our early justice system. There are ledgers showing the harsh punishments, and many convict implements are on display. The courtroom is set up with wax models of people in the costume of the period – representing those at the 1830’s trial of two murderers – an audio explains what is happening. This was upgraded in 2012 so a new exciting experience for all. For a family of 4 the price is just $20, sensational value!
Fitzroy Falls
This is a great outing as the visitors centre is situated in a wildlife reserve. There are displays of flora and fauna, 10 private picnic huts and coin operated BBQ area, toilets, and a cafeteria. A boardwalk leads alongside the creek and through native bushland to a lookout at the top of the picturesque falls (about 100 metres). It is easy access for disabled and parents with little children in prams. Why not buy some meat at The Bundanoon Butchery and take it along and enjoy a BBQ – it’s a really well set up place. There are longer walks too for the fit and eager! ‘Grandpa’s Shed’ Just 50 metres further along the road is – a huge barn with great collections of collectables and memorabilia from yesteryear. Take home some treasure! Horse Riding is available close by at Fitzroy Equestrian Centre – perhaps drop your avid trail riders could go riding while you visit the Falls and Café!
Relaxed country drive to Tallong
Travel out from Bundanoon along Penrose Rd, drive through the tiny villages of Penrose, and Wingello, and then on to Tallong. The village reached its peak in 1920 and sent an annual exhibit of a tall pyramid of fruit to the Sydney Royal Easter Show winning many prizes. Tallong was destroyed in the terrible Chatsbury bushfire of 1965. Its economy did not recover and the award-winning fruit industry folded. The town is home to the oldest surviving single-teacher schoolhouse in Australia. There are two splendid lookouts over the Shoalhaven Gorge and Morton National Park, Badgery’s Lookout and Longpoint Lookout. Look carefully whilst driving in Tallong you will see huge kangaroo mobs in the wild, and in the late afternoon – wombats.
Fishing in the Wingecarribee River
Wingecarribee River is teaming with fish, our family caught 14 one day in 3 hours. There are great Fishing spots just adjacent to Bong Bong Bridge! There are many carp, and trout too. Bring a couple of rods and hooks for a fishing expedition – really exciting. We found the best bait to be corn kernels, you can also dig in the chicken coop of your cottage there are many juicy earth worms to tempt the fish. A fishing license for 3 days is just $6 these are available in Moss Vale on Argyle Rd – (the main rd.) in the Sports and Toy shop, and also in the fishing and shooting shop on Bong Bong St – (the main rd.) of Bowral. Pensioners and children do not need a license at all.
Bowral
Don’t miss a visit to Bowral for an interesting look at old world architecture, converted now to host designer retail shops, and gourmet food outlets. There are galleries & bookshops to peruse. Street side cafes & restaurants. Corbett Gardens is located in the centre of Bowral, – massed plantings of bulbs and perennials three seasons a year. Mt Gibraltar is nestled on the edge of Bowral, it is an ancient volcano – drive to the top for breathtaking views of Bowral. There are picnic huts and spots for a lovely private lunch. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Blue Mountains and Sydney. The lookouts of Mt Gibraltar will leave you on a high! The Bradman/Sports Museum on Bowral Rd celebrates Cricket and all different sports
Wombeyan Caves
A day trip plan to leave at 10am and you will be back by 4.30 p.m having had a day that you will remember! Best to enter from Taralga end of Wombeyan Caves Road (turn right at Goulburn – clearly signposted) it is a much easier and safer drive takes just the same amount of time to get there just over 1 and 1/2 hr. Lovely picnic grounds – so take along the picnic basket. There is a kiosk. You can take a guided tour or a self-guided tour. Great prices for families, and good prices for those who discover more than one cave. Just as fabulous as Jenolan Caves – but less commercial.
Red Cow Farm
This 2.5 acre open garden is at Suttons Forest. It has been featured on many televison shows. The garden is divided into 20 different garden ‘rooms’. The Monk’s garden, Scented garden, herb and vegetable gardens, the bog garden, woodland garden.
Many perennials and herbaceous shrubs – Statues and modern art – just delightful! Take your picnic basket and enjoy lunch next to the lake.
Bundanoon Discovery Rambles
Bundanoon Discovery Rambles are a series of eight walks designed to reveal some of Bundanoon’s hidden delights – the homes of its earliest settlers, its oldest commercial buildings, its pioneer graves, its quaint lanes and bush tracks. The Morvern Valley property is located on two of the Discovery Rambles ‘Grey Gum Ramble’ & ‘Lower Gullies Ramble’. A Bundanoon Discovery Ramble Map to take along with you can be found at the back of your information folder.
Morton National Park Lookouts and Bushwalks
(Brief outline of our family favorites – the information folder and the other information sheet named Bushwalks has much more detailed information).
Just 500 metres from Morvern Valley at the end of Gullies Rd is the Bundanoon entrance to The Morton National Park. There are many lookouts every bit as fabulous as any in the Blue Mountains. There is even a lookout called ‘Tooth’s Lookout’ – named after the first settler of the Morvern Valley property Samuel Tooth. There are also many bushwalks – Erith Coal Mine, Fairy Bower Falls, Beauchamp Cliffs, Fern Glen (a terrific 10 minute walk for a child’s first bushwalk) and Lovers Walk. Please note: You could drive from lookout to lookout if you don’t feel so active.
Glow Worm Glen These party lights of nature are an adventure for all the family. This is a free self-guided walk, start out at twilight, drive to the end of William Street (signs to Glow Worm Glen are posted near the supermarket on Railway Parade) – park your car; descend down the track with good torches. You may even spot a wombat and possums along the Glow Worm Glen Track! Wait at the viewing platform, when completely dark and silent the glow worms will put on a light show, you will be amazed by these tiny larvae. A Bundanoon Discovery Ramble Map to take along with you can be found at the back of your information folder. (Be aware that it is a hard walk on return up the path for a toddler).
Fern Glen Track This really easy short walk is just 15 minutes return! Starts at Grand Canyon Picnic Area, Morton National Park. It leads to a moist, rocky haven – home to some gigantic king ferns and other moisture-loving plants. This is a perfect ‘first bushwalk’ for children. Take your camera! Map to be found in Bundanoon full colour brochure – available throughout Bundanoon.
Fairy Bower Falls BushwalkStarts at Gambells Rest Picnic area or Fairy Bower car park, Morton National Park, Bundanoon. The walk offers a huge variety of views to wonderful waterfalls, escarpments and picnic areas.A highlight of this walk is Tooth’s Lookout and Fairy Bower Waterfalls. Shower under the waterfall – if you dare!
The Erith Coal Mine WalkThis 1.5 km bushwalk is steep in some parts with steps and ladders. The walk leads to an old disused mine that was open from the 1860s to 1915. There is a lovely waterfall which is formed by the little creek that runs across the Morvern Valley Property -‘Coal Creek’. Along the way see Scribbly Gums, woodland, heath and rainforest. Helpful signs describe the types of vegetation as well as the history of the old coal mines. See the mine openings, pulleys and rail tracks. Map of the National Park to be found in the Bundanoon full colour brochure.
