Elegant alternatives

Filled with history, and a haven for the wealthy and famous, the Southern Highlands is also a magnet for conference groups.
There’s a definable sense of place in the region known as the Southern Highlands. Since the late 19th century, it has drawn the wealthy and privileged, who built summer retreats that took full advantage of the cooler, high-altitude climate. The magnificent mansions surrounded by English-style gardens remain, many of which have since been transformed into elegant hotels and retreats well suited for small conferences and think tanks.

The main focus of the region for the meetings market is Bowral, which hosts an annual garden festival. For sports lovers, it is also renowned as the home of Australia’s legendary cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman, with a well-appointed museum devoted to his life and career successes. Reminders of the historic past, such as the Craigieburn Resort and Conference Centre, and Milton Park Country House Hotel and Destination Spa, are well versed in conferences; while the Bowral Country Club, with its 18 hole par 70 golf course, is extremely popular with sports-minded conventioneers.

The Southern Highlands lies 130 kilometres south of Sydney and 170 kilometres north of Canberra, with much of this charming region’s meetings business originating from these cities. Well-maintained highway links allow quick and easy access.

>> Conference & meeting venues in Southern Highlands, NSW

Tasting history
Each of the towns has a distinct character. Mittagong was the first settlement in the district, while Berrima has many quaint Georgian buildings that date from the 1830s. Built around a traditional English-style village common, the hotels, restaurants and cafes are housed in carefully restored historic buildings. The Berrima Courthouse, which held Australia’s first trial by jury, is now an informative and entertaining museum, with special attention given to the trial of Lucretia Dunkley, the first woman to be hanged at Berrima Gaol.

Horse riding, fly-fishing, caving, fine dining or browsing the numerous antique and bookstores has an enormous appeal. Kangaroo Valley, with its untouched bush landscape, is on the eastern edge of the Southern Highlands.