Goulburn and Surrounds

Destinations

View some of the exciting destinations within this region:

Wombeyan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve: Nestled in a remote valley, this bushland reserve protects much of the...View…

Experiences

View the exciting experiences you can enjoy within this region:

All Experiences: Get the complete picture - you'll never be wanting for somthing to do! View…
Aboriginal Heritage: The traditional country of the Gundungurra people takes in the Goulburn... View…
Camping: The nearest national park style camping sites are at Wombeyan Caves... View…
Canoeing: The nearest canoeing opportunities are away to the east, in Kangaroo... View…
Galleries, Museums and Collections: Goulburn Regional Art Gallery Exhibitions change monthly and include work... View…
Guided Activities: You can take a self-guided tour of the underworld of Wombeyan Caves at... View…
Historic Sites and Heritage: White settlement of the Goulburn district began in 1825. The town was... View…
Mountain Biking: Touring options through the local rural landscapes abound, but those... View…
Nature Study: Information signs on natural and cultural heritage are displayed at... View…
Overnight Bushwalks: Experienced bushwalkers can explore the rugged country of Morton National... View…
Picnicking: Wombeyan Caves has a large grassed picnic ground with all facilities... View…
Scenic Lookouts: A number of lookouts can be visited in Morton National Park and Bungonia... View…
Short Walks: The bush and limestone features of Wombeyan Caves Karst Conservation... View…

Often said to be 'Australia's first inland city', Goulburn is the main centre for the fertile pastoral lands around the headwaters of the Wollondilly River, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. This is important sheep and wool country, but other agricultural products and gold also feature in the rich local history. The Goulburn area is the traditional country of the Gundungurra people, whose lands stretch northwards into the rugged southern Blue Mountains.

Goulburn is centrally located for a number of natural attractions, including Bungonia Gorge (Bungonia State Conservation Area), Morton National Park and Wombeyan Caves.

More information

For further information on things to see and do in this region and local national parks, visit the following local visitor information centres or websites. See also the Greater Blue Mountains Drive Companion Guide.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Environment and Climate Change): Toll-Free: 1300 361 967; Web: www.npws.nsw.gov.au
Tourism NSW: Web: http://www.visitnsw.com.au
Goulburn and Surrounds: 201 Sloane Street, Goulburn; Toll-Free: 1800 353 646; Web: http://www.igoulburn.com

Goulburn and Surrounds Landscapes

The rolling high country of the Southern Highlands falls away abruptly to the east into the gorges and broken plateaus of the Great Escarpment and the catchment of the Shoalhaven River. Rural landscapes give way on the escarpment to forested bushland, much of which is protected in a string of national parks and other reserves.

To the west, the Great Divide slopes off much more gradually. The topography becomes slowly more subdued as the and Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Rivers gather waters and flow to the west.

But the Wollondilly River is rather unusual. It rises south of Goulburn near Lake George and runs northwards and parallel to the Great Divide, past Goulburn and Mittagong to become a major tributary of the Hawkesbury River. But before it gets there it cuts through the wild country of the southern Blue Mountains to the cliff-walled Burragorang Valley, where it provides a major input to Lake Burragorang and Sydney's water supply. The Wollondilly River intimately links the Goulburn area with the Greater Blue Mountains.

Discovery Trails

The following Discovery Trail can be found within this region...

Wombeyan

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