Mittagong: Ironworks history, nature and local flavours

Mittagong combines industrial history with nature and local flavours. The artificial Lake Alexandra and Fitz Roy Iron Works give the town an unusual historical dimension; bushland trails, old sandstone houses, and mushrooms and wine add other points of interest. You can shape your trip around your own interests, balancing culture, activity and local flavours.

Traces of industrial history

Lake Alexandra is an artificial lake that was originally built as a dam to supply water to the locomotives that transported coal to the Fitz Roy Iron Works. This function links the water structure, locomotive traffic and coal transport in a single story. The Fitz Roy Iron Works were Australia’s first ironworks. The self-guided Historic Walk focuses on them, drawing attention to a chapter that has had a major influence on the town of Mittagong. The surviving remains of the Fitz Roy Iron Works are permanently open to the public.

A simple stroll through Mittagong’s old streets and lanes reveals numerous historic sandstone houses dating from the late 19th century. This makes the stroll different from the Historic Walk: rather than following a route with a clear focus on the ironworks, you can take in several houses around town. Both perspectives bring different aspects of Mittagong’s history to life.

Bushland, walking and cycling

Lake Alexandra Reserve in Mittagong has walking trails through bushland. Greater Mount Alexandra Reserve also extends across the town of Mittagong and includes two endangered ecological communities. Its several bushwalking routes include the Box Vale Track; the reserve also offers cycling on designated tracks and fire trails. You can choose an activity based on how you’d like to get around: on foot along bushwalking routes, or by bike on tracks and fire trails.

Mushrooms and wine as local highlights

A unique mushroom destination is the Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel, a commercial exotic mushroom farm in a disused train tunnel from the Victorian era. Farmers Leonie and Peter guide visitors through mushroom biology and the nutritional and medicinal functions of mushrooms. The mushroom experience ranges from a commercial farm to a guided introduction to the various properties and functions of mushrooms.

Wine is another part of the Mittagong experience: since 1996, Artemis has produced award-winning premium cool-climate wines at its Mittagong vineyard. Artemis Cellar Door offers a guided tasting of six wines or spirits. At Artemis, both wine production and a specific tasting experience are in the spotlight.

When looking for a hotel in Mittagong, the kind of trip you want is a useful starting point. Consider whether your trip will focus mainly on industrial history and old houses, walking and cycling trails, or mushrooms and wine.

Discover more destinations: Breadalbane, La Perouse, Glenwilliam, Wangi Wangi, Newcastle, Mogo, Telegraph Point, Milparinka

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.