Mittagong: History and Landscape

Mittagong offers several ways to explore history, landscape and local production. The Fitz Roy Iron Works represent Australia’s early iron industry and the development of the town; historic sandstone houses offer another perspective on the past. Lake Alexandra Reserve has bushland walking trails, while Greater Mount Alexandra Reserve offers cycling on designated trails and several bushwalking routes. Wine and mushrooms are also among the area’s attractions. Depending on your interests, you can make nature, local history or local production the focus of your trip planning.

Industrial history and historic houses

The Fitz Roy Iron Works were Australia’s first ironworks and had a major influence on Mittagong. Their surviving remains are permanently open to the public. The self-guided Historic Walk focuses on the works and their importance to the town.

A simple walk through the old streets and lanes offers a different perspective on Mittagong’s past. Along the way, you can see numerous historic sandstone houses dating from the late 19th century. While the Historic Walk focuses on the ironworks, this walk turns your attention to the town’s historic buildings.

Walking trails, lake and bushland

Lake Alexandra Reserve in Mittagong offers walking trails through bushland. The artificial Lake Alexandra originally served as a dam to supply water to the locomotives that transported coal to the Fitz Roy Iron Works. This connects the present-day natural setting with a specific story from the town’s industrial development.

Greater Mount Alexandra Reserve also extends into the town of Mittagong and includes two endangered ecological communities. Cycling is possible on designated trails and fire trails; the several bushwalking routes include the Box Vale Track. The distinction is useful when choosing an activity: cycling is restricted to designated trails and fire trails, while the Box Vale Track is one of the bushwalking routes. The two endangered ecological communities also give the reserve a conservation aspect alongside its recreational opportunities.

Wine and mushrooms

Since 1996, Artemis has produced award-winning premium cool-climate wines at its vineyard in Mittagong. Artemis Cellar Door offers a guided tasting of six wines or spirits. This makes both wine production and a specific tasting experience part of the local scene.

Mushrooms are also at the heart of several experiences in Mittagong. Mycological farmers Leonie and Peter guide visitors through the biology of mushrooms and their nutritional and medicinal functions. Another mushroom attraction is the Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel: a commercial farm for exotic mushrooms in a disused Victorian-era railway tunnel. Leonie and Peter focus on mushroom biology and functions; the tunnel experience centres on exotic mushrooms and the use of the historic tunnel as a farm.

Discover more destinations: Cobark, Stockinbingal, Jenolan, Upper Colo, Kiama, Yass, Wattle Grove, The Channon

For the broader travel guide: New South Wales.