The rural village of Bundanoon rests in the Wingecarribee shire of the Southern Highlands, south west of Sydney. The Wadi Wadi people were the original inhabitants of the region. It is from a corruption of their word for "vast deep gullies" that "Bundanoon" is formed. The Southern Highlands has in recent years received renewed attention from tourists seeking the romance of the rustic in rural villages. Along with nearby Mittagong, Bowral, Berrima and Sutton Forest, Bundanoon is experiencing relative prosperity with tourism.

The first European believed to have traversed the Wingecarribee shire region was John Wilson, a convict and an assistant to Governor Hunter. He lead an expedition as far south west as Goulburn in 1798. One of the first recordings of the village of Bundanoon was made by Dr Charles Throsby in 1818. Seeking an overland route to Jervis Bay, he noted in his journal that they passed through "Bantanoon". By 1820 the region had been extensively explored, and the agricultural potential no doubt realised; however, settlement was actively discouraged due to the lack of resource for sustaining law and order at such a distance.

From 1820 a scattering of land grants in the region were accorded by the Governor. Extensive settlement remained stagnant until the Robertson Land Act of 1861 stimulated rural development. Boosted by the arrival of the railway by the 1880s, a village gradually emerged around the station at "Jordan`s Crossing". In 1881, the name of the station and adjoining Post Office was officially changed to "Bundanoon".

Despite a preoccupation with dairy farming in the shire, coal mining, cedar getting, milling and sandstone quarrying constituted the infant economy. However, the invigorating climate and intrinsic natural beauty of the surrounds offered a more alluring industry in tourism. In 1824 Surveyor Harper was sent to reserve land around "Boon-doo-noon" Creek. That Crown Reserve has since been declared part of the Morton National Park. As early as 1900, walking tracks had been worn to various scenic destinations, and Bundanoon earned a reputation. A hotel, general store, butchery, bakery and blacksmiths soon commenced trading, servicing the requirements of local residents and visitors alike. Bundanoon peaked during the inter-war period, and is known to have sported no less than sixty boarding places over the years.

The proliferation of the motor car metaphorically edged the Southern Highlands in closer proximity to the city. Now only a short drive away, the practice of boarding in the region became obsolete to day trips in the post war period. Although the recreational interest Bundanoon is enjoying today is hardly unprecedented, the inter-war prosperity may be revisited in the 1990s. In addition to the attractions of the historic village and the Morton National Park, Bundanoon is annual host to the Scottish celebration of the "Brigadoon Highland Gathering", various art shows and a wine expo.


Overview

Bundanoon is a small town to the west of Robertson, and borders the 130,000 hectare Morton National Park. Coal mining, sawmilling, timber cutting and sandstone quarrying were the first industries in the town during the 1880s. It is also known as the "Place of Many Deep Gullies", a name that will become self evident to the visitor who enjoys many of its scenic walks and spectacular views.

Attractions

The small town of Bundanoon offers visitors a variety of activity in the temperate climes and the scenic splendour of the southern highlands. The town provides easy access to Fitzroy Falls and the main attraction in the area, the Morton National Park, where visitors can explore magnificent forests and bushlands, and enjoy a number of activities including hiking. A nocturnal visit to the Glow Worm Glen makes for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Other Attractions

Bundanoon is a hive of activity with pottery, arts and crafts shops, theatre restaurants, a monthly market day, live bands and sports facilities such as horse-riding, tennis, bowls and golf. Fresh air and relaxed living make Bundanoon an ideal vacation destination. The town also offers a number of attractions in beautiful public buildings and tree lined streets.

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