Mittagong, Southern Highlands

In the mid to late 1800s, Mittagong had thriving primary, secondary and tertiary industries. Iron ore and coal were extracted there, iron and steel were produced and the Mittagong milk factory supplied fresh milk to Sydney. Extensive market gardens produced hard vegetables for the city and its clay was made into building bricks. Mittagong certainly was the birthplace of iron making in Australia and there is good evidence it also had the country’s first steel rolling mill. The product was rolled rail for light rail operations in the late 1800s.

Mittagong grew from a group of inns built in the 1830s after a new line of road south was surveyed to overcome the heartbreaking slog over the South Road between Lower Mittagong and Bong Bong. It was said it took from daylight till dark to cover a little over two miles. It was during the survey at Ironmines Creek that the iron deposit was discovered and later coal was found nearby. From that time the Fitzroy Inn, built in 1836 and Minnikin Lodge, built in 1834 remain and are beautifully restored.

Mittagong is now a country town with a village atmosphere supporting the local rural community. The town has grown into a vibrant community of small business, eclectic restaurants, cafes and nearby wineries as well as light industry, complemented by many groups pursuing echoes from the past including vintage cars, carriage driving, antiques and artisans using time honoured skills.

An historic walking tour has been mapped out to include the historical sandstone buildings and sites. The single sheet, which includes a simple map, is available from the Tourist Centre. As with all such information sheets, there is of course, no charge.