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Wildlife Region

Southern Highlands

Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands, is located around 110 kilometres (70 miles) southwest of Sydney, in New South Wales. It sits between 500m and 900m above sea level on the Great Dividing Ranges and is under the local government area of the Wingecarribee Shire which covers an area of around 2,700 sq km (1000 sq miles). The region is centred on the charming towns of Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Robertson as well as the historic town of Berrima.

The Great Western Wildlife Corridor (GWWC) is a key link through the Southern Highlands for wildlife migration between the southern Blue Mountains World Heritage area and Morton National Park further south. This includes species such as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, lizards, bushbirds and amphibians. The area was historically cleared for farming, but contains a series of significant fragments of remnant woodland vegetation on private and public land, that act as stepping stones for flora and fauna to move through the landscape.

The Wingecarribee Shire is an important catchment area for water supply to Sydney, Wollongong and the Northern Shoalhaven, with several rivers flowing through the region, including the Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, and Paddy’s river. There are several important biodiversity projects in the region being led by the Wingecarribee Shire Council, including the Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project, Southern Highlands Platypus Conservation Project and Glossies in the Mist Project, tracking the beautiful Glossy Black Cockatoo. These projects aim to gain a deeper understanding of distribution, habitat and threats throughout the Southern Highlands for these species, along with providing a more complete dataset to assist key decision-makers.

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Quick facts

  • Part of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, linking the Blue Mountains through to the Morton National Park.
  • Spot Kangaroos, Platypus, Wombats, Echidnas, Emus, Rosellas and Cockatoos
  • Beautiful mix of national park, forests, private farmland and charming towns

Experiences

Featured operator

  • Featured operator

    Sydney Bespoke Tours

    Sydney Bespoke Tours has been offering unique wildlife viewing experiences since 2009 in the Southern Highlands, just southwest of Sydney. Over many years, the organisation has gathered an exceptional team, made up of fabulous guides, creative trip designers, and wonderful locals ready to showcase the natural wonders, unique wildlife and vibrant culture of Sydney and surrounds.

    With an abundance of parks, forests, coastline and natural attractions on Sydney's doorstep, the team delights in educating guests via diurnal and nocturnal wildlife encounters; explaining and contextualising behaviours observed, the interaction between...

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