Locality Guide

Approximately 70km south west of Sydney, the Wollondilly Shire stretches from Bargo and Yanderra in the south, Appin and Menangle in the East, Warragamba and Nattai in the North and Burragorang Valley in the West, covering 2,560 square kilometres.   

 

The area is rich with rural pastures, rolling hills, historic buildings amidst various tourist spots.  Home to around 42,000 residents, Wollondilly is often referred to as the 'foothills of the southern highlands'.  Approximately 727 hectares of the Wollondilly is beautiful open spaces and reserves, while more than half of the Shire comprises of national parks and sensitive water catchment lands.  We are an area blessed with natural beauty while being only 1 hour (approximately) from the centre of Sydney via the freeway.

 

 

     

 

Extremely rare in the wild, the Wirrimbirra White NSW Waratah owes its recognition and commercial success as a cut flower to the founder of Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, Thistle Harris - who was the first to propagate the plant.  The White Waratah Festival is celebrated in October each year in the Wollondilly Shire.

 

 

Picton .....

is one of the earliest European settlements having been discovered in 1795 and is a semi-rural village.  Boasting many historic buildings in the town and surrounding areas, it is blessed with spectacular natural beauty and rural landscape.  Commonly referred to as the administrative centre of the Wollondilly Shire, Picton is rapidly expanding both residentially and commercially. 

 

It boasts many historic buildings both in town and surrounding areas and offers new housing estates, alfresco dining, boutiques, arts and craft shops and one of the oldest pubs in the Australia (George IV Inn), all complementing the character and charm of the area. 

 

The village of Picton gives you an underlying rural lifestyle while providing both convenience and facilities that are highly sought after by both owner occupiers and investors.   An established 18 Hole Golf Course is tucked at the foothills of the famous Razorback Range dividing country style Picton from Camden and more built up residential areas of outer Sydney.

 

About 80 kilometres south west of Sydney, Picton has the convenience of rail services for commuters and is only 30 minutes drive to Campbelltown, 50 minutes to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  Regular bus services service the different shopping centres and schools both private and public.  Wollongong and the southern beaches are approximately 30 minutes away and it is a 2 hour drive from Canberra.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Coles Shopping Village
• IGA Supermarket
• Picton Train Station
• Wollondilly Leisure Centre
• Picton Medical Centre, Dental Centre & Various Medical Practioners
• Restaurants & Cafes, Assorted Pubs, McDonalds
• Picton Sportsground
• Industrial Area

 

   

Stonequarry Creek - Railway Viaduct          Old Picton Post Office

 

 

Wilton .....

is a small but growing village located conveniently near the M5 expressway (Hume Highway) entrance and proving very popular with young families seeking a country lifestyle or residents who commute to the city with easy access to the highway off ramps. 

 

Wilton is surrounded by many varied farming allotments while incorporating residential living closer to the local shopping centre.  It has become the home to the ‘Bingara Housing Estate’ and is well known as an exclusive destination with a world class Golf Course currently under construction.  The area attracts many visitors to the nearby dams and to the popular Sydney Skydiving Centre (to the west of the freeway). 

 

Wilton is only 20 minutes drive to Campbelltown, 30 minutes to Wollongong and the southern beaches and is only 45 minutes drive to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Wilton Sportsground

 

  

Cordeaux Dam                                         Sydney Skydiving Centre

 

 

Razorback .....

was made famous with the Truckies Blockade in the 70's where there is now a monument to the event and is the site for the historic Anthony Horden's Tree 'While I Live I'll Grow'.

 

The oak tree stood as a symbol for life and growth in commerce.  'If the tree was to be lasting, it lay bases for eternity.  If it was to be strong, it must have room to grow.  It must have earth for its roots and heaven for its branches'.

 

Razorback is sought after for it’s panoramic views and popular lookout over Picton, Cawdor Valley, Camden and Sydney.

 

‘The Shed’ always has something happening with live bands, bush dances and themed music nights.

 

 

   

While I live I'll Grow                                  The Historic Razorback Inn

 

 

Bargo .....

is a fast growing area and is located about 90 kilometres south west of Sydney and about 10 minutes south of Picton, at the southern end of the Wollondilly Shire.  While retaining a semi rural atmosphere, it is ideally located to the M5 Freeway. 

 

Bargo incorporates scenic bushland and the spectacular Avon and Nepean dams and is surrounded by locales including Pheasants Nest, Yanderra and Yerrinbool.  Bargo attracts a diverse array of residents from young families to singles, professionals and seniors while boasting a very large Over 55’s village aswell.

 

The village shopping centre currently offers everything for your weekly supplies but a new IGA Supermarket is in the planning stage.  However, Bargo is convenient to major centres of Campbelltown, Wollongong and Bowral in addition to the Wollondilly’s major shopping centres in both Picton and Tahmoor.  There is also the option of a private school education in the area. 

It offers great potential to both home owners and investors alike with solid rental returns and capital growth.

 

You may wish to visit 'Wirrimbirra' in Bargo.  Dericed from the aboriginal word meaning sanctuary, this superb area has preserved some of the original Bargo playground of the infamous bushrangers. It now caters for visitors with cabin accommodation, provides bushwalking tracks, a commercial plant nursery and wildlife enclosure. It also incorporates the Dingo Sanctuary, a home and learning centre for our Australian native dog.

 

Bargo has the convenience of rail and bus services for commuters and is only 25 minutes drive to Campbelltown, 50 minutes to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  Bowral, Wollongong and the southern beaches are about 35 minutes away and Canberra is just over 2 hours drive away.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Soon to be ....IGA Supermarket
• Bargo Train Station
• Medical Services
• Bargo Sportsground
• Bargo-Yanderra Cycleway
• Bargo Trotting Track
• Bargo Sports Club & Bargo Hotel

 

 

      

Nepean Dam                                            Wirrimbirra Including Dingo Sanctuary

 

 

Tahmoor .....

has the largest population of the towns and villages in Wollondilly and is the major commercial centre of the Wollondilly Shire with plenty of potential for future residential growth.  Tahmoor offers properties varying from medium density to commercial and rural acreage to residential properties, whilst still retaining the rural atmosphere Wollondilly is well known for. 

 

The establishment of the major shopping centre and the introduction of private education in the area have provided Tahmoor with qualities people are finding very attractive. 

 

Tahmoor is only 35 minutes drive to Campbelltown, 65 minutes to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  Wollongong and the southern beaches are about 45 minutes away and Canberra is just over 2.1 hours drive away.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Woolworths Supermarket
• Bi Lo Supermarket
• Aldi Supermarket
• Tahmoor Train Station
• Medical Centre, Dental Centre & Assorted Medical Practioners
• Restaurants & Cafes, KFC
• Tahmoor Nursery (Garden Centre)
• Various Sporting Clubs/Events including Skate Park & Pony Club

 

  

Mermaid Pools                                         Streetscape of Tahmoor Township

 

 

Thirlmere .....

is a welcoming outer lying village of the Wollondilly Shire that offers a relaxing lifestyle. It’s heritage includes Australia’s largest rail experience ‘TrainWorks’ (Railway Museum) and Thirlmere Lakes National Park, both popular tourist attractions.  Each year, Thirlmere celebrates with an annual festival that commences with the traditional start of the steam season and it remains Australia’s largest rail heritage festival. 

 

Only 5 minutes from Tahmoor and close to major shopping conveniences, Thirlmere is able to offer a semi rural atmosphere with sought after facilities. 

 

It is only 40 minutes drive to Campbelltown, 1 hour to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  Wollongong and the southern beaches are about 50 minutes away and Canberra is approximately 2.10 hours drive away.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Thirlmere Train Station (for steam train use only)
• Thirlmere Sports Ground
• TrainWorks - Train Museum
• Cafes & Thirlmere Pub

 

  

Trainworks - Steam Train Museum             Thirlmere Steam Festival

 

 

Buxton .....

 

is a small village on the ‘Old Loop Line’ Railway (operating on special event times), located about 20 kilometres south of Picton and about 10 minutes drive away. Surrounded partly by Royal National Park and rural acreages, Buxton appears to be untouched except when you explore the side streets populated by residential housing with a mixture of newer quality homes and older style properties. 

 

While Buxton has it’s own small corner store, it is only 5 minutes drive from Tahmoor‘s major shopping village.  With a delightful rural aspect, this village offers a pleasant peaceful atmosphere, the proximity to private education and the convenience of all amenities.

 

Buxton is only 35 minutes drive to Campbelltown, 65 minutes to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  Wollongong and the southern beaches are approximately 50 minutes away and you would be 2 hours drive from Canberra.

 

   

Entry to Buxton Township                                 School of the Arts - Buxton

 

 

Couridjah .....

Couridjah is a small area located on the outskirts of Thirlmere and Buxton.  It's hard to believe that Couridjah once served as the major railhead for local produce from as far as Bargo.  It is located on the old Loop Line railway, and it’s little railway station is famous for its appearance in television advertising and film.

 

The main premises of the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council are located at Couridjah.  It is primarily a semi-rural residential area, without even a main street but is skirted by some small orchards and poultry farms.

 

 

   

Couridjah Train Station                              Windsong Lavender Farm

 

 

Douglas Park .....

is a quiet village situated at the foothills of the Razorback Range, ideally positioned within one hours drive to Sydney.  This area meets the description of Rural Living at it’s best. 

 

There are many historic buildings located in this small country village and the spectacular Nepean River runs through Douglas Park.  It has the convenience of rail services for commuters, is easy walking distance to shops, schools and sporting amenities and has bus services to most schools in the Shire, both private and public. 

 

Both the lower lying township of Douglas Park and the peak known as 'Spaniards Hill" owe their name to the 2 largest land grants given in the district back in 1865.  Douglas Park is home to a Catholic religious community known as the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, at Saint Mary's Towers in Douglas Park Drive, this area is affectionately known as 'The Towers' by the locals.

 

The Nepean River runs through a rocky gorge, to the south of the town.  The causeway crossing the river, on Douglas Park Drive, is a popular swimming and canoeing site.

 

Douglas Park is 30 minutes drive to Wollongong with it’s beautiful south coast beaches, 15 minutes drive to Macarthur Square shopping centre in Campbelltown and 1 hours drive from Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Douglas Park Railway Station
• Douglas Park Sportsground

 

  

Douglas Park Gorge                                  St Marys Towers

 

 

Yanderra .....

is located between Bargo and Yerrinbool with convenient access to the M5 freeway. It is a small rural village of Wollondilly, with orchards nearby and it retains the country atmosphere that people yearn for. 

 

The name Yanderra comes from an Aboriginal word for Turpentine Tree.  The new and popular Cycleway starts at Yanderra Public School and finishes at the Bargo Sportsground at Tylers Rd, Bargo, making travel easier between the two towns, while providing you with a healthier option!

 

Yanderra is approximately 1 hours drive to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  While Wollongong and the southern beaches are less than 35 minutes away and approximately 2 hours drive from Canberra.

 

 

   

Welcome Sign to Yanderra                        Yanderra Cycleway

 

 

Oakdale .....

is located just 10 minutes from Picton and is very popular for the quiet, relaxed lifestyle.  Referred to by many locals as ‘God’s Country’, Oakdale has some of the greenest pastures

and scattered farmland pockets.  Oakdale is home to Burragorang Lookout that provides a Picnic Area for the family to enjoy the awe inspiring views of what nature has to offer. Situated some 5 kilometres west of The Oaks, on the road once the main access to the Burragorang Valley.  Oakdale is a mining town and the Oakdale Workers Club remains the hub of the local community.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Oakdale Workers Club
• Oakdale Motorcross Track

 

             

Burragorang Valley                                   Monument to the Burragorang Miners        

 

 

The Oaks .....

is a small village, approximately 60 kilometres southwest of Sydney and west of Camden.  The Oaks is surrounded by working farms and peaceful countryside and is home to the Wollondilly Heritage Centre.  The centre showcases the history of mining in the area, especially the large scale mining in the coalfields of the Burragorang Valley in addition to it’s vast and active agricultural industries. 

 

The Oaks is named for the “she-oaks” that once covered the area.  It is a convenient trip to Camden (located in the east) and Picton and is only an hour’s distance from the city by freeways.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Medical Services
• Wollondilly Heritage Centre

 

  

Views Over Landscape                             The Heritage Centre

 

 

Menangle .....

is a charming historic village, only 10 minutes south of Campbelltown and it enjoys the quiet country lifestyle but also the commuting convenience of rail access. 

 

Menangle boasts the Menangle Park Paceway, Historic Menangle House with the Horse and Jockey Inn and Function Centre and an exclusive over 55’s Village just on the outskirts of the main village, not to mention the popular Menangle Markets.

 

AMENITIES

 

• Local Shops
• Menangle Park Paceway
• Ruane Cellar Door (Winery)

 

   

St James Anglican Church                        Menangle Park Paceway

 

 

Lakesland & Mowbray Park .....

are only 12 minutes to Picton and are well known for being producers of and including stone fruits, apples, persimmons, citrus, vegetables, flowers, beef and poultry as well as leisure activities like horse riding and farmstay accommodation.

 

Serviced by the facilities available in The Oaks, Thirlmere and Picton Primary Schools with secondary education available via Picton High School.  Lakesland and Mowbray Park are around 1 hours drive to Sydney CPD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.

 

 

  

Mowbray Park Produce                             Mowbray Park Farmstay

 

Yerrinbool .....

is one of the smaller villages of Wollondilly, located close to both Bargo and Yanderra and well known for it’s orchards and country atmosphere. 

 

Yanderra is approximately 1 hours drive to Sydney CBD, Kingsford Smith Airport and Port Botany.  While Wollongong and the southern beaches are less than 35 minutes away, Mittagong only 15 minutes drive and just over 2 hours drive from Canberra.

 

  

Old Yerrinbool Train Station                       Tennessee Orchard Yerrinbool

 

 

Balmoral .....

The village of Balmoral (until recently, was referred to as Balmoral Village) can be found between Southern Highlands and the popular township of Picton.   Balmoral offers a quiet, rural atmosphere for those wanting to feel a genuine country lifestyle.  It does offer its own amenities in the town, but rather those living in Balmoral access schools, rail and major shopping  centres approximately 12-15 minutes away in Picton, Tahmoor, Bargo and even Mittagong.  

Balmoral lies on the western side of Wilson Drive, the main street being Station Street. 

 

 

 

   

Balmoral Village Hall                                 Train Line

 

 

 

Appin .....

is the oldest town in the Wollondilly (settlement 1810) and one of the oldest villages in NSW. It boasts historic churches, both rural and quality residential areas in addition to it’s own shopping village.  

 

Perhaps Appin’s biggest drawcard is it’s location.  The development of the Macarthur Area have seen Appin grow as a suburb with a small shopping area, residential housing, parks and playing fields.   And yet, it is close to thousands of hectares of national parklands, bushwalking trails and Cataract Dam.

 

Appin has easy access to both the Wollongong beaches and the major shopping districts of Campbelltown.  Being only 15 minutes from Campbelltown CBD, it has proximity to Campbelltown Hospital, Greater Union Movie Theatre, nightclubs and Macarthur Square etc.