Bundanoon

Nestled beside rugged Morton National Park in the Southern Highlands of NSW is the quaint village of Bundanoon.  

For much of the year its climate and aspects of its landscape are reminiscent of England. It is surrounded by rolling farmland and has an abundance of European trees that turn red, orange and yellow in autumn. Frequent and sometimes eerie rolling mists add to the atmosphere. 

Visitors perceive the sense of pride locals have in Bundanoon.  As one approaches the village, beautifully maintained roadside gardens, tidy and well-cared-for public areas and sandstone sculptures of local wildlife are noticeable. Surprising to some is the fact that community volunteers manage and maintain the majority of these spaces, in conjunction with the local council. 

Bundanoon hosts a number of special events throughout the year.  These include Brigadoon, an annual Scottish Highland Festival that attracts up to 15,000 people in April; Winterfest, a celebration of winter, in July; the Garden Ramble in October, when 10 village gardens are open to the public, and the Highland Fling, a mountain-bike marathon for 1500 competitors in November.

Many visitors come to enjoy the wonderful walking trails, views and lookouts of Morton National Park, others the hundreds of kilometres of mountain-bike and road-cycling trails.  Some come to visit the Buddhist monasteries or the health retreat to recharge the batteries. Others use Bundanoon as a base from which to explore the wineries, antique and book trails, golf courses and other attractions of the Southern Highlands. 

Bundanoon, a village for all seasons, has something for everyone.

For more information try www.bundanoon.nsw.au or www.bundanoon.com.au .