Perfectly located between Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong, the beautiful Southern Highlands offers the ideal location for work and play, enjoying proximity to our major cities, yet feeling a million miles away.

NSW Southern Highlands

Southern Highlands Real Estate

Whether you're attracted to our rolling green hills or the bustling cafe scene, the Southern Highlands offers varied lifestyle opportunities, with real estate to match!

It's a diverse area known for it's cool winter climate, various agricultural industries and relaxed lifestyle. Some top class golf courses, award winning wineries, numerous fresh produce markets, antiques galore and a great mix of natural environments reminiscent of English countryside through to rugged bush, just about as Aussie as it gets!

Each year the Tulip Time Festival brings many visitors. Of course we also have the International Cricket Hall of Fame at the Bradman Museum in Bowral, and many other galleries, festivals and exhibitions at various times of the year. You can find plenty more information at Visit Southern Highlands.

The Southern Highlands has recently emerged as a property hotspot and the market has grown significantly overall. Reflecting this, there are approximately 90 Real Estate Agencies across the Highlands. Is it any wonder that searching for property can be a totally overwhelming process!

With such a variety of property styles and prices, there really is no 'one size fits all' in the Highlands.

Average sale prices for first quarter of 2021 (as quoted by realestate.com.au) were at:

Bowral - $1,225,000
Moss Vale - $775,000
Mittagong - $850,000
Burradoo - $2,225,000
Bundanoon - $755,000

Now, as at first quarter 2023 the average sale prices have increased significantly to:

Bowral - $1,750,000
Moss Vale - $1,105,00
Mittagong - $1,175,000
Burradoo - $2,925,000
Bundanoon - $1,096,500

At a local level we are governed by Wingecarribee Shire Council and the traditional custodians of the land are the Gundungurra and Tharawal people.

If you're an investor considering investing in residential property in the Highlands, it's likely that the average permanent rental will be negatively geared initially, but your long term growth will more than support that. There are some excellent Property Managers in the Highlands and I am happy to refer you in the right direction. Short term rentals generally perform better, and with a definite shortage of decent motel or resort accommodation in the area, are growing in popularity, but are of course still quite seasonal.

The stunning vineyard photo above and the aerial photo below were taken by my friend and talented local photographer Phillip Minnis at Southern Highlands Winery in Moss Vale.

Southern Highlands Location Info

Logistics - getting here & getting around

1.5 hours drive from Sydney or Canberra and 1 hour to Wollongong. We have a regular train service to the city (and airport) and a reliable local bus transport network.
While many locals complain about traffic, it's definitely a much calmer pace and a stress free drive.
Many locals commute to Sydney or Wollongong for work, and yes, our NBN is pretty good (mostly FTTN in the older parts of town) for those who are lucky enough to work from home.

We're definitely a cool climate

It's no wonder we make great wine!
Average daytime temps for the area are 2 - 12 degrees in winter and 12 - 26 degrees in summer. We have cool nights and no humidity. Perfect!
Everyone wants to know - does it snow? It snows every couple of years, just enough to cause chaos on the roads and put a thin layer on the ground but not enough to stay for more than a day or so. It's fun but infrequent!
Our northern villages are generally a few degrees warmer and less frosty in our chilly winters.

So much more than Bowral

Bowral is the heart of the Highlands geographically, socially and economically. Moss Vale and Mittagong are the next biggest towns, each exuding their own character, with surrounding villages including Exeter, Bundanoon, Robertson, Burrawang, Burradoo, Berrima, Colo Vale and Hilltop. Many smaller, outlying villages also offer great lifestyle opportunities and unique areas to explore.
If you're considering buying in the Highlands then chances are you've got a few favourite spots already, but with my local experience, I can certainly help narrow down your focus areas if you find the different options overwhelming.