Photo: Winston M. Yang Wyp / CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundanoon is a charming village in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, known for its stunning sandstone cliffs, lush bushland, and peaceful atmosphere. A popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, Bundanoon offers a quintessential Australian bush experience with a touch of historic charm. The village itself is dotted with cafes, antique shops, and cozy accommodation, making it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Morton National Park.
Highlights & What to See
- Morton National Park: Explore dramatic sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and scenic lookouts. The park offers excellent bushwalking trails, including the famous Bundanoon Creek Track and the shorter lookouts like the Grand Canyon and Fairy Bower.
- Bundanoon Creek Track: A moderate 4.5 km loop that follows the creek, passing waterfalls, rock pools, and lush fern gullies. Perfect for spotting lyrebirds and wallabies.
- Glow Worm Glen: After dark, venture to this magical spot near the village to see thousands of glow worms illuminating the gully. A torch is essential.
- Bundanoon Village: Stroll the main street for antique shops, art galleries, and friendly cafes. The Bundanoon Hotel offers a classic country pub experience.
- Bundanoon Earth Hour: This village is famous for being Australia's first town to ban bottled water, and it celebrates with an annual Earth Hour festival in March.
Suggested Time to Spend
Bundanoon makes a wonderful day trip from Sydney or a relaxing weekend getaway. With a full day, you can tackle a couple of the best walks in Morton National Park (e.g., the Bundanoon Creek Track and a short lookout walk), explore the village, and visit Glow Worm Glen after dark. For a more leisurely pace, stay overnight to enjoy the evening glow worms and a slower exploration of the park's trails.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Bowral: Just 15 minutes north, this elegant town offers boutique shopping, the famous Bradman Museum (for cricket fans), and lovely gardens.
- Fitzroy Falls: A spectacular waterfall in Morton National Park, about 30 minutes east. The 2 km walk offers several lookout platforms.
- Kangaroo Valley: A scenic drive through rolling hills to this historic village, known for its sandstone bridge, kayaking, and bushwalks.
- Moss Vale: A historic town with a vibrant arts scene, antique stores, and the beautiful Leighton Gardens.
- Bungonia National Park: About 45 minutes north, this park features deep gorges, limestone caves, and challenging hikes for experienced bushwalkers.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Bowral — Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitzroy Falls — Bjenks / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kangaroo Valley — user:Grahamec / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Moss Vale — Bidgee / CC BY-SA 3.0 au
- Bungonia National Park — User:Conollyb / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Morton National Park — Baltimike / CC BY 2.0