Balmoral Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hewn out of the living rock in the 1860s using hand tools and blasting powder, Big Hill Cutting was at one time the deepest railway cutting in the southern hemisphere. Taken as it was near the eastern end of the cutting, even this pic doesn't properly illustrate the depth. The cutting has a long and macabre history, with several workers killed during its construction due to a blasting accident and several drivers later perishing after crashing their automobiles through the old timber bridge's guardrails and down onto the rails below. Despite the history, it's a peaceful and beautiful place. The old railway line was abandoned in the 1970s and runs for around 50km between the towns of Thirlmere and Mittagong. Although not a proper rail trail, there are service trails parallelling the railway for much of its length. I've walked it a few times, including the trip pictured which was undertaken 2-Boot-Drive Swagman style ;-)
Hewn out of the living rock in the 1860s using hand tools and blasting powder, Big Hill Cutting was at one time the deepest railway cutting in the southern hemisphere. Taken as it was near the eastern end of the cutting, even this pic doesn't properly illustrate the depth. The cutting has a long and macabre history, with several workers killed during its construction due to a blasting accident and several drivers later perishing after crashing their automobiles through the old timber bridge's guardrails and down onto the rails below. Despite the history, it's a peaceful and beautiful place. The old railway line was abandoned in the 1970s and runs for around 50km between the towns of Thirlmere and Mittagong. Although not a proper rail trail, there are service trails parallelling the railway for much of its length. I've walked it a few times, including the trip pictured which was undertaken 2-Boot-Drive Swagman style ;-)

Popular places to visit

Destination Southern Highlands

4.5/5(20 reviews)

Destination Southern Highlands is just one of the places to see in Mittagong, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around this relaxing area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Destination Southern Highlands

Mount Jellore Lookout

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Mount Jellore Lookout, a lovely green space in Mittagong. Amble around this relaxing area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its lively bars.

Mount Jellore Lookout

Sturt Gallery

5/5(1 review)

You can spend time studying the exhibits at Sturt Gallery in Mittagong. Amble around this relaxing area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Sturt Gallery

Bargo State Conservation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Bargo State Conservation Area, a lovely green space in Hill Top.

Bargo State Conservation Area

Boronia Park

After visiting Boronia Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Mittagong.

Boronia Park

Bargo River State Conservation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Bargo River State Conservation Area, a lovely green space in Hill Top.

Bargo River State Conservation Area

Activities

Highland Vines

Personalised wine tour experience in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands

AU$245
per adult
Personalised wine tour experience in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands
Sydney Wine Tasting & Southern Highlands with Pick up & drop off

Sydney Wine Tasting & Southern Highlands with Pick up & drop off

AU$395
per adult
Sydney Wine Tasting & Southern Highlands with Pick up & drop off
See all activities in Mittagong

Our pick of the best Balmoral Hotel Deals

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral

4 out of 5
Boronia Street (off Centennial Road) Bowral NSW
The price is AU$245 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
AU$245
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Bowral. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Everything was amazing!

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral
The Robertson Hotel

The Robertson Hotel

3.5 out of 5
1 Fountaindale Rd Robertson NSW
The price is AU$137 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
AU$137
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Robertson. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (354 reviews)
Staff were incredibly welcoming and made sure we were looked after.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

The Robertson Hotel
Berrima Bakehouse Motel

Berrima Bakehouse Motel

3.5 out of 5
19 Old Hume Highway Berrima NSW
The price is AU$175 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
AU$175
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Bowral. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Clean & spacious room, great shower and supplies. Bed wasn’t the most comfortable.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Berrima Bakehouse Motel
Berida Hotel

Berida Hotel

4 out of 5
6 David Street Bowral NSW
The price is AU$220 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
AU$220
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf guesthouse in Bowral. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Friendly staff. Lovely room and grounds. Close up town. Easy parking. Delicious food.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Berida Hotel
Links House

Links House

4 out of 5
17 Links Road Burradoo NSW
The price is AU$234 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
AU$234
11 Feb - 12 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf guesthouse in Bowral. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (761 reviews)
Clean room, great deal through Expedia, nice breakfast included. Nice lounge area.

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Links House
Peppers Craigieburn

Peppers Craigieburn

4.5 out of 5
Centennial Road Bowral NSW
The price is AU$229 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
AU$229
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Bowral. Enjoy free parking, a golf course and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (998 reviews)
Beautiful old hotel, heritage listed. Friendly service at reception and in the dining areas.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Peppers Craigieburn
See all 340 properties in Balmoral
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Balmoral

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Yanderra

While Yanderra isn't home to many top sights, Wirrimbirra Flora & Fauna Sanctuary and Bargo River State Conservation Area are some notable places to visit nearby.

Yanderra
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Hill Top

If you're spending some time in Hill Top, Nattai National Park and Bargo River State Conservation Area are top sights worth seeing.

Hill Top
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Colo Vale

If you're spending some time in Colo Vale, Nattai National Park and Bargo River State Conservation Area are top sights worth seeing.

Colo Vale
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Alpine

Though Alpine may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Destination Southern Highlands and Bargo River State Conservation Area.

Alpine
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Aylmerton

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Aylmerton and surrounding area, you can visit Destination Southern Highlands and Mount Jellore Lookout.

Aylmerton
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Braemar

The restaurants and gardens are just a few features travellers like about Braemar. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Destination Southern Highlands and Mount Jellore Lookout are a few top places to visit.

Braemar

Balmoral Travel Guide

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