There are literally hundreds of good reasons why the Southern Highlands is a favourite day-tripper/weekend destination for Sydneysiders, Canberrans and many other visitors, with one of these being its fabulous location almost halfway between the two cities! Just a quick stone’s throw away (or an hour-and-a-half road trip or so on your Maxxis tyres!) will get you right into some of the highland’s most beautiful countryside, with waterfalls, national parks, vineyards and picturesque lookouts along with its array of historic towns and villages all waiting to be explored.
How to get there
An easy-going drive from Sydney, find your way from the M1 or M5 onto the Hume Motorway/Remembrance Driveway (M31) and follow the signs. From Canberra, it’s just as direct but very slightly longer, following the Hume Motorway/Remembrance Driveway and Federal Highway/ Remembrance Driveway.
Which Maxxis tyres for the drive?
If you’re one of the ever-growing number of Aussies loving SUVs and utes (the Toyota RAV 4, Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux being September’s the top selling vehicles), Maxxis has an excellent range of tyres to suit! Whether you go for the very popular Maxxis AT811 all-terrain or the Maxxis HP5 or HP-M3 (well-matched to a wide range of SUVs), you can rely on Maxxis tyres for their durability, performance and safety. Plus, in super exciting news for SUV drivers who are keen on exactly this kind of weekend adventure, the all new RAZR AT-S all-terrain will be launching soon!
Where to go once you get there
The Southern Highlands covers an expansive area, so unless you’re on an unlimited time schedule and are happy to just wing it and see once you get there, we’d suggest picking out a few things to see and do before you set off. Here are some pointers to help get you on your way…
Mittagong
Make the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre in Mittagong your first port of call to get all the info you need to make the most of your visit — you can even buy locally produced jams, wine, whisky and other goodies right there on the spot! The relics of the Fitz Roy Iron Works (which were Australia’s very first iron works) are a feature of Mittagong along with one of Australia’s oldest hotels, the Fitzroy Inn, which is still going strong in the town! For some outdoor adventure, take the trail to the spectacular Sixty Foot Falls (from the Mount Alexandra car park), which winds through lush bush vegetation and offers the perfect opportunity for a bit of birdwatching.
Bowral
The largest of the Southern Highlands towns, Bowral is a buzz of things happening combined with spectacular country surroundings. While its famous Tulip Festival is already over for this year, the town’s Corbett Gardens and Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens are both beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy all year round.
If you’re a cricket fan don’t forget to visit the Bradman Museum at Glebe Park (displaying all things cricket through the eras along with an interactive display), with a children’s playground and picnic area conveniently located right next-door. As Bowral is considered the “birthplace” of Mary Poppins, the park also contains a bronze statue of Mary Poppins in full flight, with her legendary umbrella in hand!
Also stop in at the Bowral Art Gallery which features diverse exhibitions from local artists during the year and be sure to make time for a walk in Bowral’s town centre and browse its antiques, jewellery, bookshops, bakeries and other speciality stores. Plus, with the area renowned for its gin and whisky distilleries and cool climate wines, you’re never far away from a vineyard or cellar door as well as plenty of great cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Moss Vale
If you’re hoping to find a great location to have a picnic or BBQ, look no further than the very central Leighton Gardens. For somewhere to picnic a little out of town, take a quick five-minute drive to the Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve with the Weir View walking track also right on site! Or if you’re keen to just kick back for a fabulous lunch paired with great views and a glass of locally produced cool climate wine, Moss Vale’s renowned Mount Ashby Estate has this experience ready to go!
Where to stay
Southern Highlands’ hospitality is around every corner, with a wide range of accommodation to suit every type of weekender or longer stay. From hotels, motels and historic inns to country lodges, rustic cottages and farm stays, there’s something for every budget and requirement. If you’re travelling with your caravan or are up for some camping or glamping there are also plenty of options whether you’re wanting a river or bush view or something a little more luxurious.
Before you go
One of the great things about the Southern Highlands is that it’s far enough away from home to know you’re on real getaway, but close enough that you don’t have to take weeks of leave! And, if you don’t get around to everything in one short trip – there’s always next time. As always, our advice is that you don’t leave home without checking those tyre pressures to ensure they’re safe for the trip and that you get the best tread wear and fuel economy. If you need any help with tyre repairs, rotations or you’d like some assistance selecting new tyres for your vehicle, there’s a knowledgeable Maxxis dealer near you always ready to lend a hand.
