Moss Vale Attractions
Some things to see and do when visiting Moss Vale.
- Moss Vale Golf Club is in Arthur St, contact (02) 4869 2091. They also have a lovely guesthouse for holidaymakers known as The Dormie House, contact (02) 4868 1014.
- Just north of Moss Vale is the site of the first European settlement in the Southern Highlands, Bong Bong. To the right, before Bong Bong Bridge is Christ Church, consecrated in 1845 after the village had ceased to exist. It survived because it was supported by people in the district and is still used today. The cemetery is historic and contains descendants of Throsby's nephew, as well as the tomb of Joseph Wild.
- Cross the Bong Bong Bridge over the Wingecarribee River. On the right, behind a white gate in the pine trees, is a cairn, which marks the site where the first settlement on the Southern Highlands stood.
- Just past the cairn is a branch road to the right, which leads to Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve on the banks of Bong Bong Reservoir. This wetlands site has several walking tracks, as well as picnic and toilet facilities. There are plenty of waterfowl, as well as water rats and the occasional platypus. Kangaroos and wallabies can be seen on the eastern side of the reserve which was named after a prominent scion of the Hoskins family, principal figures in the foundation of Australia's iron-and-steel industry. Cecil Hoskins, one-time chairman and joint managing director of AIS, formerly lived at Moss Vale. There are leaflets concerning the animal life in the area available from the Fitzroy Falls Visitors' Centre, contact (02) 4887 7270.
- Further north on Moss Vale Rd, to the left, just north of the Bowral Flight Centre, is historic Briars Inn, originally the Royal Oak Hotel, built c.1845. This two-storey brick building was owned by the Throsby family until 1943 and was then renovated. One of Charles Throsby's children lived there until 1891.
- A short distance south of Moss Vale, Oldbury Rd heads north off the Illawarra Highway. Therein lies Oldbury homestead, a two-storey stone Georgian house built in 1828 by James Atkinson on land he was granted in 1818. It has a timber Doric portico and cantilevered timber stairway with a separate kitchen and cellar.
- Another way to see the surrounding countryside is to take a ride on The Cockatoo Run, a leisurely train trip on olden-style carriages (pulled by steam train except in exceptional circumstances) to Robertson or down to the lllawarra. It operates from Saturday to Tuesdays and on public holidays, contact (1800) 64 3801.
- The Wangaruka Berry Farm, on Nowra Rd, has fresh berries, jams, pies and home-made ice-cream in season (December to April), contact (02) 4887 7278.
- The Moss Vale Agricultural Show is held in March. The largest markets of the Southern Highlands are held on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Moss Vale showgrounds on the Illawarra Highway.
- Highlands Trips and Treks, P.O. Box 298, Bundanoon NSW 2578. Phone/Fax 02 4883 6523 or Mobile 015 244 714 and email httreks@acenet.com.au offer 4WD tours and bush walks in the Southern Highlands and will pick you up from your accommodation, be it in Sydney or the highlands.