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

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

Sturt Gallery

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

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

Mount Jellore Lookout

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

Boronia Park

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

Boronia Park

Activities

Sydney: Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers

Sydney: Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers

NZ$402
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Sydney: Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers
Highland Vines

Personalised wine tour experience in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands

NZ$282
per adult
Personalised wine tour experience in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands
Blue Maintains with Glow Worm Tunnel Private Tour

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

NZ$455
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

Berrima Bakehouse Motel

Berrima Bakehouse Motel

3.5 out of 5
19 Old Hume Highway Berrima NSW
The price is NZ$192 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
NZ$192
18 Jan - 19 Jan
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)
Best thing was the really efficient bed lamps - great for reading in bed!

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

Berrima Bakehouse Motel
Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral

4 out of 5
Boronia Street (off Centennial Road) Bowral NSW
The price is NZ$281 per night from 12 Feb to 13 Feb
NZ$281
12 Feb - 13 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! (1,008 reviews)
Every area of service was excellent. Thank you for making our stay so enjoyable

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral
Berida Hotel

Berida Hotel

4 out of 5
6 David Street Bowral NSW
The price is NZ$267 per night from 16 Jan to 17 Jan
NZ$267
16 Jan - 17 Jan
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! (999 reviews)
All good😃

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

Berida Hotel
Links House

Links House

4 out of 5
17 Links Road Burradoo NSW
The price is NZ$265 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
NZ$265
18 Jan - 19 Jan
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! (756 reviews)
Yes, we would recommend links house to friends,and family

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

Links House
The Robertson Hotel

The Robertson Hotel

3.5 out of 5
1 Fountaindale Rd Robertson NSW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$190 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
NZ$190
27 Jan - 28 Jan
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! (353 reviews)
The Robertson Hotel is a sanctuary where the raveled sleeve can be knitted up again :) Beautiful surrounds, friendly, attentive staff, lovely breakfast. My only worry is that its gentle, historical charm will be lost in future development. Sydney needs this kind of retreat from its mass tourism ...

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

The Robertson Hotel
Camden Holiday Park

Camden Holiday Park

2 out of 5
21 MacArthur Road Elderslie NSW
Stay at this golf holiday park in Sydney. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Spring Reserve and William Howe Regional ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (11 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 28 Dec 2025

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Camden Holiday Park
See all 347 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 Sturt Gallery.

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 Artemis Wines are a few top places to visit.

Braemar

Balmoral Travel Guide

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