Here's Shorty He comes right up whenever we enter the paddocks at Morvern Valley. His favourite is molasses he will put his head right into the bucket and make happy gurgling noises!

Bushwalking in Bundanoon.

Hello everyone!


There are marvellous Lookouts and Bushwalks in Bundanoon National Park the entrance of which is just 500 metres away at the end of Gullies Rd.


Our family favorites are Erith Coal Mine and Fairy Bower.


Tooths Lookout was named after the original first settler of our property - Morvern Valley - Samuel Tooth!


Here is a list of the exciting bushwalks to enjoy whilst staying at Morvern.

Erith Coal Mine Walk

Time : 1 hour return.

Distance : 2 km return.

Grade : Easy/Medium.



Please don’t forget the picnic basket in your cottage – fill it up with goodies and make a day of discovering the Morton National Park.



This walk is an easy to medium walk, with some steep sections and steps. It winds its way through there different types of vegetation, woodland, heath and rainforest. You will see a spectacular waterfall, and entrances to an old disused coalmine.



This is a pleasant walk at any time of year with its abundant wildflowers and native Rosellas and parrots. There is a picnic table half way down ( hide/leave the basket under the table to trek on).



Erith Coal Mine walk has a picturesque lookout, and to look into the mine entrance, simply cross the little creek from the lookout, and descend the steps beside the falls. This creek is known as Coal Creek and is our creek that crosses Morvern Valley Guesthouse!!



Erith Coal Mine was opened in the 1860’s; the main tunnel was dug horizontally into the coal seam which you can see clearly at the base of the cliff. The coal was hoisted in skips to a staging area directly above the mine entrance. Look up and you can see the huge antique pulleys used to pull up the coal. From there the coal was sent by light railway to the rail head, then on to Moss Vale.



From 1872-1881, the mine was closed until the Baker brothers reopened it. They called it ‘Erith’ after their birthplace in England and signed a contract to supply 6000 tonnes of coal to the railway authorities.



The daily output was only 80 tonnes and was of poor quality; around 24 men were employed at the mine. In 1888 the mine closed after a state-wide coal strike.

Ten years later a new start was made and about 4000 tonnes of coal were supplied to the railways. By 1915 the mine finally closed, and the private railway siding was removed.



Take a picnic, and enjoy it sitting on the rocks near the pool at the base of the waterfall - truly lovely. For the more adventurous why not take a dip in the lovely clear pool, at the base of the waterfall.



Wear good walking shoes as the track and steps can be slippery, you are sure to enjoy yourself on this walk.



Echo Point Loop Walk via The Lovers Walk


Time : 1.5 hour return.

Grade : Easy, some medium spots



Start at the Echo Point picnic area, take the Lovers Walk turnoff on the right, and follow the track to Bonnie View Lookout for spectacular views - after you see them, you too will agree that the views are every bit as exciting as those found anywhere in the country!!!



Return along the road passing the wishing well on your left. Where the road divides, take the left hand turn back to the picnic area.

On this walk you will see wildflowers, and the magnificent views enjoyed since the 1880’s.



Fern Glen Walk.

Time : 10 minutes return.

Grade : Easy.



This is an easy walk which starts at the picnic area of the Grand Canyon Lookout, it is a short walk with some steps, you will descend into a lovely cool rainforest with a creek area, where a plethora of king ferns are to be found - truly inspiring- take a camera!!



This is a great first bushwalk to take the children on, as it is quick and very beautiful.



Tooth’s Lookout to Fairy Bower Falls Walk.

Time : 1.5 hours return.

Grade : Medium but very, very, special - totally worth it...



This is a harder walk than the previous walks, walk down the very steep track at Tooth’s Lookout Car Park, and walk down to the junction of the Fairy Bower Falls Track. This track brings you to the very bottom of the waterfall and YES!!! You can shower under the waterfall if you wish - just like in the movies!



Stop and delight in the lush green rainforest, look at abundant ferns and lyrebirds, and picnic here at the base of the falls, - look for fossils as this used to be known as the fossil beds in yesteryear - you will probably be all alone at the base of Fairy Bower!!! You will remember this day for the rest of your life.



Fairy bower is an amazing, magical place, untouched by time and commercialism, it is truly awe inspiring. Take a towel, lunch, repellent, and make sure you are wearing good walking shoes. Return the same way you came.



Bundanoon Creek walk.

Time : 5.5 hours.

Grade : Difficult.



This is a walk encompassing the last walk but going further – down to the creek. This is a difficult walk, that passes through rainforest, heath, and woodland areas, and you should set out nice and early, having a leisurely lunch at the creek, and maybe a swim in the pure clear water, to refresh yourself before the climb back!



Take the Tooth’s Lookout Car park track down a very steep incline to Bundanoon Creek, passing the turnoff to Fairy Bower Falls on the left hand side, half way down. Cool off in the lovely crystal water in Bundanoon creek before the steep climb back, remembering to allow sufficient time to complete your walk in daylight.

Return the same way you came to the Tooth’s Lookout Car Park.



You will really enjoy this fabulous, strenuous walk and you usually will not see a single soul - you can really be at one with nature - take a towel, refreshments or a picnic lunch, in a backpack (not in a basket, as you will need both your hands for the climb back), you need to be fit and wear good walking shoes for this one!!!



This walk is not suitable for small children.



Fairy Bower Falls Walk.


Time : 45 minutes return.

Grade : Easy/Medium.



This is an inspiring walk, and reasonably easy although it could be called steep in places.

There is a terrific main lookout over the falls, and also a little lookout called The Brides Lookout where brides of the olden days used to pose for photos.



There is a lovely little stream to picnic next to, or you could even picnic at the lookout, and you can walk to the top of the waterfall, and see how the running water over many years has carved out a little cavern through which the water flows over the precipice.



Fairy Bower has a real magic!!



You can reach the base of the waterfall; you are able to climb down the steep metal stairs to the very bottom.



Take your cozzies - you can even bath in the refreshingly ice cold waterfall if you wish.



Glow Worm Glen Walk.

Time : 1.5 hour return.

Grade: Easy on the way down, medium on the way back.

Steep in sections.



Glow worms can only be seen after dark, and a torch (or two) is essential. It is easiest when each person has a torch. Where shoes suitable for slippery mossy rocks. Please be quiet and turn your torches off when you reach the actual glen, as the glow worms can be harmed by bright light.

Tip : Start out at twilight - it makes the walk much easier, as it will still be light going down the track.

Drive to William Street, on the right on the Moss Vale side of town. Park at the top end of William Street.

From here a steep track descends towards the glen. It will be pitch dark (especially if you turn off your torches).

But you must be quiet, and show no lights so as not to upset them, or they might turn their 'lights' off.

About 1 hour return (plus time looking at the glow worms).

As you enter the glen there is a viewing platform and in the rocks around you you can see the small colony of glow worms, small insects which give off a fluorescent glow, providing a magical experience.

Depending on the time of year and indeed how quiet you are you may see many of these fascinating creatures. Return the same way.

Wear good walking shoes. You will enjoy the walk in the evening, it is an exhilarating experience.

The track is quiet but is a popular destination in Bundanoon. Very Enjoyable.



Other Bush Walks.

There are also different walks from the end of Riverview Rd. From this group of walks you are able to walk (during the day) up to Glow worm glen, Dimmocks Creek and also Fern Tree Gully, these tracks are clearly marked.



There is also a fantastic lookout at the end of Riverview Rd, called Mark Morton Lookout with a picnic shelter shed. (Riverview Rd. is the last turn left before the entrance to the National Pk.)

The Bird Box - A Terrific Farm Activity to Enjoy

Here is an extensive list of all the birds you may see in Bundanoon in our bird watchers list. 

In the folder in each Bird Box there is a large photo right next to the name of each bird to help you. 

Four pairs of field glasses are in each cottages Bird Box

 

AQUATIC BIRDs
Black-fronted Dotterel
Australasian Grebe
Hoary Headed Grebe
Australian Wood Duck
Pacific Black Duck
Northern Mallard
Australian Grey Teal
Chestnut Teal
Musk Duck
Black Swan
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
White-faced Heron
Cattle Egret
Australian White Ibis
Dusky Moorhen
Purple Swamphen
Little Bittern
Golden Headed Cisticola
Australian Reed Warbler

RAPTORS

Collared Sparrowhawk
Brown Goshawk
Grey Goshawk (white morph)
White Bellied Sea Eagle
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Pellegrine Falcon

OWLS and FROGMOUTHS

Southern Boobook
Powerful Owl
Barn Owl
Sooty Owl
Tawny Frogmouth
Australian Owlet-nightjar

PIGEONS  DOVES

Crested Pigeon
White Headed Pigeon
Wonga Pigeon
Spotted Turtle Dove
Brown Cuckoo-dove

AUSTRALIAN COCKATOOS

Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo
Glossy Black Cockatoo
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Galah
Sulpher-crested Cockatoo MORVERN VALLEY
Little Corella MORVERN VALLEY

BRIGHTLY COLOURED AUSTRALIAN SENSATIONS

Rainbow Lorikeet
Little Lorikeet
Crimson Rosella
Australian King Parrot 
Eastern Rosella

CUCKOOS and WHIPBIRD

Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Brush Cuckoo
Shining Bronze-cuckoo
Black Faced Cuckoo -Shrike
Grey Shrike-thrush
Eastern Whipbird

THE KINGFISHERS

Laughing Kookaburra  ‘Barry’
Sacred Kingfisher
Azure Kingfisher (smaller – richer in colour)

THE TAIL WAGGERS

Willy Wagtail
Rufous Fantail
Grey Fantail

SWALLOWS and MARTINS

White-throated Needletail
Dusky Wood Swallow
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Fairy Martin
Swallows of all birds seem to truly enjoy flight – darting and diving with abandon

LYREBIRD

Superb Lyrebird

BOWER BIRDS

Satin Bowerbird Male

TREECREEPERS

White-throated Treecreeper
Red-browed Treecreeper
White Browed Tree Creeper

TINY BIRDS

Superb Fairy-wren 
Chestnet-Rumped Heathwren
White-browed Scrubwren
Large-billed Scrubwren
Jacky Winter
Weebill (Australia’s smallest Bird)
Brown Thornbill
Brown Gerygone
White-throated Gerygone
Eastern Yellow Robin
Golden Whistler
Yellow-throated Scrubwren
Silvereye
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Leaden Flycatcher
Striated Thornbill
Black-Faced Monarch
Scarlet Robin
Rose Robin
Pilotbird
Rufous Whistler
Rockwarbler
Southern Emu Wren

FINCHES and TINY BRIGHT BIRDS

European Goldfinch
Red-browed Firetail
Dollar Bird
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
Mistletoebird

HONEYEATERS

Lewin's Honeyeater
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Crescent Honeyeater
White eared Honey Eater
Fuscous Honeyeater
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Scarlet Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
Eastern Spinebill

BLACK BIRDS

Little Raven AKA Little Crow
Australian Raven AKA CROW
Blackbird

BLACK and WHITE BIRDS

Magpie-lark
Pied Currawong
Australian Magpie

GREY BIRDS

Common Starling
Indian Myna (Pest)
Noisy Miner
Noisy Friarbird
Varied Sittella
Grey Butcherbird
House Sparrow
Female Sparrow – note no black bib under beak
Grey Currawong

SPECKLED MEDIUM BIRDS

Bassian Thrush
Red Wattlebird
Buff Banded rail
Olive Backed Oriole
Eastern Koel
Little Wattle Bird

A new Farm Activity at Morvern Valley !

Bird Watching – A Fun Farm Activity

You are in the perfect place to experience a very Zen hobby!

Each cottage now has 'A Birding Box'

All you might need to get you started is just a gentle reminder of just how cool birds are - and how interesting it is to watch them get up to their social antics.

It’s a perfect excuse to discover the Morvern Valley property, and get in touch with nature.

This is the kind of farm activity family holiday memories are made of! Bird watching is both ‘honest’ and ‘free’. It encourages a child to be interested in the environment around him or her.

An activity that encourages a child to healthful outdoor pursuits - away from the TV, computer, and hand held games.

Enjoy a birding walking adventure at Morvern Valley with your children - they will love the thrill.

Open the Birding Box and here you will have all you need:

• Some Field Glasses (easy focus - Day and Night style) with the perfect focal length for birding and wildlife spotting. Your kids will love putting them on and getting into the spirit!

•  A Folder with a photographic list of birds commonly seen at Morvern Valley and in Bundanoon.

There's actually something very Zen about bird watching.

It's a wonderful chance to get out into the countryside and watch and listen without having to rush around. Morvern Valley is part of a threatened environment known as The Southern Highlands Shale Woodland.

See how many birds you see whilst looking around Morvern – take the folder with you to work out which birds you see, often in just a 45 minute ramble you will see 8 to 10 completely different breeds, and often it will be the bright sensational ones!

Enjoy! And good hunting!

Julie

Fantastic layers - we try to have fresh eggs laid daily. We keeping our purebreeds for breeding, but the best household laying hens for the guest cottages. Come and collect the eggs at Morvern..... Continually replacing a percentage of the laying flock annually in Autumn which means the new layers should lay through Winter!

This pretty sandstone church is the Anglican Church in Bundanoon. The original owners of Morvern Valley were Samuel and Emily Tooth, and indeed they are buried in the small overgrown Churchyard at the rear of the church - you are welcome to visit.

Southern Highlands Accommodation Tips for Enjoying your Bundanoon Country Holiday with an Open Log Fire.
Collect lots of kindling during the day. Kindling is just lots of sticks found under the gum trees, along the country lanes and down in the paddock. Remember to collect lots and lots, make sure you collect extra kindling so that you will be ready for lighting your fire on the next morning while in Bundanoon.
If you are a beginner at lighting fires, having more kindling will get you well on your way to becoming good at lighting a log fire.

Collecting Kindling is a fabulous, fun way of taking a country walk - kiddies often remark that collecting the wood for the fires was their most special Bundanoon farmstay memory. If you collect extra that you don't use, please pop it in the woodshed and accept our thanks. If the weather is wet, kindling is easily made by gently spliting slivers off a piece of wood with the axe.

Make sure you have brought into the house a supply of the smaller slice pieces of wood. Different sizes of wood is found in your outside woodshed by searching through the pile, or 'custom make' your slices and pieces with the axe!





How to make a hot 'clean' fire perfect for Bundanoon in just 15 minutes

Re-Setting the fire.
1) It is best to leave the bed of ash in the fire box.
2) Tightly scrunch 8 full sheets of newspaper into a ball
Place these paper balls in the middle of the fire box, and then build a Tee-Pee shape of many many sticks - the more sticks the easier it is. A couple of firelighters (in your list of things to bring) will help, put these in with the newspaper balls.
3) Place two sheets of newspaper over the Tee - Pee this will warm the flue.

Lighting the Fire.
4) Light the fire by only lighting the paper balls at the base of your Tee Pee in two or three areas.Opening a window (just for a few minutes), and stepping aside a little will help this initial process, as this will let fresh oxygen get into the fire.
5) Fire will start to draw the smoke up the chimney properly after the flue is warmed, and the fire is getting enough oxygen to cleanly burn the wood.
6) The fire will then be hot enough with the oxygen and kindling to start adding small slices of wood. Soon your fire will be well alight, the whole concept of making a good fire is understanding you need to add small slices of wood first and slowly add larger slices. Hurrying the fire making process is the most common problem.

Adding the wood.
7) Work your way up SLOWLY to bigger pieces of wood - add the wood while the fire is burning hot (a blue base in the flame close to the fuel) to acheive a 'clean' fire. If you put too large, or too many pieces of wood in your fire before the fire is burning 'hot' your fire will go out or become smokey as the fire will not be hot enough to make the wood actually burn - it will effectively just smolder.

8) You should now be at about the 15 minute mark - add a split log or two carefully, Try to still keep that Tee Pee shape, try to lean the wood against , not pushing over the burning wood in the fire.... Leave a gap in between logs of wood so the fire is able to get its needed oxygen. Use the poker to create these gaps if needed, but don't over poke your fire! When larger logs are burning well start to spred fire by adding more logs to make a larger fire remembering to leave gaps for air curculation

9) A fire will burn 'cleanly' if the fire has flames and is hot, so keep that fire actively burning !
10) A good fire will be to hot to stand in front of
Fire lighting is easy when you know how and have had some practice - sometimes it is just one simple thing that needs to be done a little differently !!!





Our Southern Highlands Climate is very cold if you are not acclimatised!

The fire has been set for you for your arrival. We do it this way so your self-contained holiday can be 'host free', you can arrive at your convenience - it doesn't matter then if you arrive late. Just light the newspaper it in a couple of areas. Read your 'How to have a Hot Fire in 15 minutes' tips sheet.

It is important that you dress appropriately as mentioned in your list of things to bring - we are close to Sydney - but a world away - in a completely different climate Zone, clothes suitable in Sydney are simply not warm enough here - it is not enough to just pop on an extra jumper. Even residents of Bundanoon who are acclimatised would not consider doing without thick layering, warm wooly hats, thick socks, slippers and dressing gowns.

We have popped a couple of warm Morvern Valley parkas in a wardrobe in your cottage for your convenience during your stay.

Close bedroom doors while main part of house is warming, then open the bedroom doors and turn on your electric blankets an hour before you go to bed, so the bedrooms get lovely and toasty warm too.

If you do let yourself get very cold - have a lovely hot spa bath - it is the quickest way to raise your core body temperature and then after your bath layer up your clothing.

Plan your fire with outings etc. For example it might be a good idea to not light it if you are about to go out in ten minutes. If you are going to go out in an hour and the fire is alight, don't add any wood - just let it die down..... and make sure you have what you need to reset your fire upon your return to your cottage.
www.morvern-valley.com

Morvern Valley offers accommodation in the Southern Highlands, it is a real country farm property with just three self contained cottages

A DAY IN BRIGADOON
THE DAY BEGINS
After the mists have risen at dawn, the town of Bundanoon becomes Brigadoon for a day (even the name on the station changes to Brigadoon!)
The main street is closed and there is a bustle of activity as people prepare for the big parade.
Visitors from all over Australia are making their way to Brigadoon (over 20,000 of them).
STREET PARADE
The Parade begins at 9.30 a.m. Thousands line the streets as hundreds of pipes and drums (over 20 bands in all), colorful floats and displays, marchers, vintage cars, and service and community vehicles make their way to the grounds for the games.
Tickets are available at the gates - the profits from their sale contributing to many worthwhile charities and community causes in the Bundanoon area.
Free car parking is available adjacent to the grounds (take the western road over "Brigadoon Bridge" along the railway line as you approach from Moss Vale, the bridge near the Old Gasthof if approaching from Penrose.)
A Courtesy Bus operates from the town centre to Brigadoon throughout the day.
MASSED BANDS DISPLAY
After the bands have arrived, the first of the massed band displays for the day takes place. Up to 300 pipers and drummers regularly perform every year at Brigadoon.
With carefully manouevred patterns of marchers, the flourishes of the drum majors, and the heavenly sound of the pipes receding, advancing, and reverberating around the glen, you don't need to be Scottish to feel the thrill of the occasion.
OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
At 10.45 a.m., the Official Opening ceremony takes place, and the Chieftain of the Day is introduced.
The Chieftain of the Day is usually an eminent clan leader from Australia, or Scotland, or elswhere in the world.
Always an imposing figure, he (or she) welcomes visitors to the gathering and presides over the day.
After the flag raising ceremony and national anthems the games begin.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY & HIGHLAND DANCING
The next event of the day is a massed demonstration of Scottish Country Dancing.
Country Dancing is a group activity, performed by sets of 2, 3, 4 or more couples. Consisting of strathspeys and reels, the steps are simple to learn and leisurely in tempo, the fun being in the designs woven by the dance.
If you've never attempted Scottish Country Dancing before, this is your chance as the display ends in the "Dashing White Sergeant" and the audience is invited to join in!
There are other displays of Country Dancing during the day, and also of Highland Dancing - (familiar as the Highland Fling, although there are two other forms, the Sword dance, and the Seann Triubhais). Highland Dancing is essentially solo dancing, and takes great skill on the part of the dancer.
THE HIGHLAND GAMES
Part of the fun of the day comes from watching, or preferably participating in, the various Highland Games and other activities.
All participants are welcome - from wee bairns to the older lads and lassies.
For the bairns there is the Bonnie Bairns Highland Dress Competition - prizes for the best kilt, dress, trews - or any baby or toddler wearing something otherwise vaguely Scots!
For those wishing to get back to nature, there is theHay Toss - where you stand back to a type of 'high jump' bar with a bale of hay on the end of a pitchfork, and attempt to throw it as far over the bar as you can!
Or try your hand at the Shot Putt - with categories for Open Male & Female, and Junior Male & Female.
If you're really feeling strong, try the traditional and unique Scottish sport of the Caber Toss - one of the most skillful of all sports, where you not only have to lift and throw a pole not much smaller than a telephone pole (well, almost!), but make it land at exactly 180 degrees from where you stand. (There are smaller cabers for women, but alas no longer for kids.)
If you get tired of sitting and watching, you might join in the Kilted Dash - a running race for males and females in Open, High School or Primary School categories: you don't need to wear a kilt, but you must wear something tartan!
And for sheer fun, join in the Egg Throwing Competition, or the Water Toss - where partners take it in turns to throw raw eggs or water-filled balloons at each other, those throwing the furthest distance before they break being the winners.
More Scottish is Haggis Hurling! (but not with a real haggis!) And for the wee folk in training for the Stones of Manhood, there is the Fergie Stones where the young ones have to race to lift different sized medicine balls onto barrels, just like the real thing!
Towards the end of the day is the Brigadoon Heavy Challenge - throwing the weight over the bar for height & distance. Entry is usually by invitation from among the top scorers in the shot putt and caber toss.
Almost all games have categories for adults and juniors alike. Everyone is invited to join in, but if you aren't feeling energetic on the day there is plenty of fun to be had watching.
HEAPS MORE TO SEE AND DO!
There are enough activities to keep you busy and entertained at Brigadoon throughout the day, including the solo fiddler, kennel club, Highland Cattle displays choirs and other performers.
You could spend some time watching the bands and drum majors practising, highland dances, take in the colourful tartan dress of the crowds, or visit the many stalls in the Clan Area where you can find displays and information about the many Highland clans and septs, or trace your Scots heritage.
If a sword fight breaks out - don't panic! Chances are it is just a display of the ancient arts of warfare by the medieval warriors.
OVER 100 FOOD, SOUVENIR, AND INFORMATION STALLS
Hungry? There are dozens of Food Stalls serving food including devonshire teas and coffee, barbecue sausages and steaks, hot potatoes, pancakes, snacks, cakes, ice creams, lollies, and drinks.
Don't miss out on the Highland delicacies such as Scots pies, haggis, blood pudding, square sausage, and the famous Scottish Shortbread. Plus other interesting food stalls give the day a multicultural flavour.
There are lots of other stalls with Caledonian souvenirs and goods, jams and preserves, clothing, arts and crafts, and information tents.
The grounds are well served on the day with seats overlooking the arena, places to picnic - with tables and chairs, and toilet facilities. There is a licensed club adjacent for adults, and if it is a cool Highland day you might want to start with a wee dram!
PIPE BAND DISPLAYS
Throughout the day in the main arena there are pipe band displays.
Up to 300 pipers and drummers typically attend Brigadoon, and although bands do not compete against each other, the pipe band display offers them the opportunity to engage in some virtuoso performances of their favourite marches, lilts and airs.
The pipe bands at Brigadoon are of the highest standard, and for the lover of the bagpipe, there can be no better way to spend a day than in the company of some of the best pipers and drummers in Australia - at Brigadoon.
THE BUNDANOON STONES OF MANHOOD
One of the highlights of the day is theLifting of the Bundanoon Stones of Manhood.
This extraordinary feat of strength was started some years ago and consists in lifting a series of sandstone balls weighing a total of hundreds of kilos, and placing them on a row of barrels spaced out across the field.
The stones, of different sizes (up to 165 kilograms), were carved at the Bundanoon Sandstone Quarries. When first introduced, the competition was contested by strongmen from around the world. The strongest men, however, were Australian born - and David Huxley's famous group of Tartan Warriors appears each year to show their skills.
THE END OF A DAY AT BRIGADOON
The sun has lowered in the western sky, the clock moves towards 4.00 p.m., and our day at Brigadoon is drawing to a close.
In the final ceremonies the pipes and drums reappear for the Final Massed Bands Display and inspection by the Chieftain of the Day. After the official Closing Ceremony the crowd falls silent for the Lone Piper.
Another year - another day at Brigadoon - has come to an end, and the crowd leaves in the gloaming with full hearts and their ears still ringing with the haunting sounds of the bagpipe.
THE CEILIDH
In the evening visitors to Brigadoon and participants gather at the local hall for the Ceilidh - a traditional Highlands knees-up where the haggis holds pride of place.
And then the mist descends, and the mythical village of Brigadoon falls under a spell, to sleep again until next year.
Farewell! Will ye no come back again!
BUNDANOON IS BRIGADOON - SATURDAY 17th APRIL 2010.
(then Saturday 2nd April 2011; 21st April 2012).

Bowral Accommodation, close to Bowral-accommodation is located in Bundanoon, private country house self-contained southern highland
Whether planning your holiday around Australia or just planning a short break to The Southern Highlands, we hope this guide will help you select some quality accommodation throughout our great country.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
www.lemongum.com.au Peaceful and quiet Self Contained cottage on a 5 acre property just minutes from Mount Gambier, South Australia.
www.paulinehurren.com.au/craferscottages These properties are all close to Adelaide - selcontained and private. The cottages all have character and are excellently equipped and maintained.
www.wirraminna.com Excellent quality accommodation, friendly - just 5 hours north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway.
NEW SOUTH WALES
www.farmstayholidays.com.au/ Mowbray farm - horse riding close to Sydney. Highly reccommended by Morvern Valley!!
www.alamanda.com.au This accommodation is similar to an English Private hotel it is a Bed and Breakfast property. Private Verandahs. Home cooked goodies. Sawtell North Coast
www.headlandsbeach.com.au 4.5 star Bed and Breakfast, 20 minutes north of Coffs Harbour. Relaxed, warm and friendly - coastal style living.
www.tumbleguminn.com.au In the heart of the village of Gerringong is Tumblegum Inn. Four Star quality accommodation.Swimming, fishing, golfing, bushwalking,-shop for antiques and visit local wineries!!!

www.sandholme.com.au
Sandholme Guesthouse
Luxury Bed and Breakfast holiday couples escape in Huskisson. Take a break from a busy life and enjoy a weekend getaway. Be pampered in a Spa, enjoy a rejuvenating massage, relax with your romantic other, watch a movie or play a game of pool.
Short break accommodation close to the white sands of Jervis Bay, the pristine Booderee national. Ideal for, honeymoon, anniversary and birthday treats ... Huskisson on Jervis Bay, South Coast NSW
QUEENSLAND
www.montvillegetaways.com.au Montville Getaways is a range of beautiful accommodation in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of South East Queensland. Romantic self catering cottages, treehouse cabins and luxury motel suites.
www.narrowsescape.com.au Refresh your romance in a natural Rainforest environment on the outskirts of Montville, near beautiful Lake Baroon. The Narrows Escape offers you Peace, Seclusion and Romance. Superb cottage accommodation, ideal for your honeymoon, hideaway, weekend, holiday.
DARLING DOWNS
www.sugarloafmountain.com.au Sugarloaf Mountain Country Retreat offers spacious and airy lounge/dining area with reverse cycle air conditioner, plus an oil heater, TV, video, DVD player and CD player. The views from the two decks leading from this room are of acclaimed Darling Downs farming land to the ranges beyond.
TASMANIA
www.crabtreerivercottages.com Two romantic cottages with a spa, fireplace and lovely large deck. They are federation style in a historic rural setting. Huon Valley Tasmania

Quick Overall View of the Southern Highlands for those wishing to visit.
The Southern Highlands region lies to the south west of Sydney on top of the escarpment overlooking the South Coast. It is known for its picturesque towns, gracious and historic mansions and public buildings, as well as its genteel lifestyle. The region offers a wide range of services and facilities for all tastes and budgets, in its main towns of Moss Vale, Mittagong, Bowral, Berrima, Bundanoon, Burradoo, Sutton Forest and Robertson. These delightful rural towns are all within minutes of each other. As well as the comfortable surroundings in the towns, the region boasts many beautiful and spectacular natural attractions to delight the visitor. The Wombeyan Caves, Mt Gibraltar and the Fitzroy Falls are some of the best known of these attractions.The area has differing landscapes ranging from rolling pasturelands to forested mountains. Other notable features of this region include a large selection of craft and antique stores, the annual Tulip Festival held in Bowral, the historic jail at Berrima and a butterfly exhibition house at Mittagong. Visitors can reach the Southern Highlands by travelling south west from Sydney or north east from Melbourne, along the Hume Highway. From Canberra, travel north on the Federal Highway, then join the Hume Highway. From the South Coast, travel west from Bomaderry near Nowra by way of the picturesque Kangaroo Valley or further north from Albion Park near Wollongong and up the Macquarie Pass. Robertson is on this road.

MORVERN VALLEY A COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT LIST OF ACCOMMODATION at http://www.southern-highlands-accommodation.com/

Bundanoon is on the southern edge of settlement of the Highlands, on the edge of the deep valleys and escarpments of the Great Dividing Range.

Although the town itself dates only from the subdivision of local properties following the coming of the railways (1860s), its history is older than that.

First mentioned by explorer Charles Throsby (1818), it was well known by the original aboriginal inhabitants, from whose word for "place of deep gullies" its name is derived.

The countryside so impressed him he petitioned the Governor to have it declared a reserve (1824), perhaps the first in Australia, and precursor to today's Morton National Park.

There was an earlier settlement to the east of the present town at "Jumping Rock" (1830s), and at the time of the coming of the railway, two private villages in its path: "Jordan's Crossing", and "South Lambton".

This latter was a mining village, just south of the present town, on a spur line to Erith Coal Mine, which operated from the 1860s to 90s.

Other early industries were timber milling, sandstone quarrying (still in operation today), and farming.

At the beginning of the C20th the village of Bundanoon was well established. Many of its older buildings date from this time.

More importantly, the beauty of its scenery had been discovered by people from the city, who travelled by train for day trips and holidays to admire the views.

The earliest tourist tracks were cut into the parklands in the late 1890s, and a large number of guest houses to cater for the travellers were built. Morvern Valley was one of these early guest properties

In the 1920s there were up to 50 such establishments, and Bundanoon rivalled the Blue Mountains as a favoured tourist destination, a position it enjoyed for over 50 years.

In the 1950s and early 60s steam trains full of daytrippers ran each spring once again, this time to see the unique pink Boronia and other native flowers which grew prolifically in the 'Gullies' (now Morton National Park).

The town's Boronia Festival was the first floral festival in the Highlands. Unfortunately a series of disastrous bushfires in the mid 60s wiped out the boronia and to this day it has never recovered.

By the 1960s, and the increase in private car ownership, visitors began to bypass Bundanoon, travelling further inland and for the next 20 years the village went into something of a decline, many of the tourist destinations closing down.

In the 1980s, however, the unspoilt beauty of Bundanoon was once more rediscovered.
Today it is the 4th largest (residential) area in the Highlands, and attracts vast numbers of tourists again (up to 20,000 in one day for Brigadoon alone).

There is a well established artists' colony among its residents, and many of the old guest houses have been restored and opened for today's visitors.

Behind its sleepy old-world charm, Bundanoon is a vibrant community. Visitors can still enjoy the grand beauty of the National Park, and relax and enjoy the mountain air.

There are plenty of things to see and do for adults and kids alike. The main street is very busy during Market Day (first Sunday of every month), and on weekends and holidays.

There are often steam train excursions from Sydney throughout the year, and the town is a favourite destination for car and other clubs for weekend stays.

Brigadoon, the Bundanoon Highland Gathering (held every April) is one of the biggest of its kind in the world, and not to be missed.

Always in April - Bundanoon is Brigadoon one of the world's largest highland gatherings

The most difficult decision for the visitor is whether "to do" Bundanoon in a day trip, or to indulge oneself and stay for a few days - or a week - or more.

Although it attracts so many visitors, Bundanoon is not "over-touristified"; it retains the quiet, sleepy, old-world atmosphere of yesteryear, and is the perfect place to wind down from the hectic pace of modern life (then again, it always was!).

Lots of good accommodation houses - guest houses and self-contained cottages, lovingly restored to their old charm and upgraded with the most modern of amenities - where you are positively pampered by your hosts; two health resorts; a motel and an historic hotel; youth hostel; camping area available.

Some good craft shops; several excellent art galleries; cafes and tea rooms; good restaurants; pub and licensed Bowling Club; theatre; little museum (open 2 weekends a month); nurseries; a number of picnic areas.

Park near shops, then stroll around - across railway, left to overhead bridge, back through town, up to art gallery, and back again (see some attractive old buildings).

Energetic? Hire a bike, or go walking through Morton National Park. Lots of famous lookouts ('Echo Point", "Fairy Bower"), walking trails, picnic spots, native flowers, flocks of native birds; and camping area.

Even walking or biking around town is relaxing and enjoyable.

At night walk down to "Glow Worm Glen".

Stroll to the edge of town at dawn or dusk and see kangaroos and wallabies.

Play Golf at Sylvan Glen, Penrose (just 10 minutes away).

Bundanoon has it all for the tourist!

Bundanoon - Holiday Activities, Tours, Attractions, Entertainment, Guides - Where to Go, What to See and DoListed Below are the Best Bundanoon - Holiday Activities, Tours, Attractions - Find where to Go, what to See and Do in Bundanoon, NSW Australia.

Bundanoon is a historical town on the Southern Highlands south of Sydney that has maintained its charming and friendly atmosphere. Bundanoon is the gateway to the Morton National Park and has been popular with tourists since the 1920s.

The attractive town has charming guesthouse, a very good health retreat, cafes, shops, local wineries and many antique dealers. Bundanoon is just perfect for a short break t unwind or for a weekend retreat. Morton National Park has fantastic scenic walks and lookouts, BBQ and picnic spots, spectacular waterfalls, an excellent range of flora and fauna including the Glow Worm Glen.

Each year in April, Bundanoon hosts one of the largest highland gatherings in New South Wales, with highland games, massed pipe bands dancing and lots of fun.