About the Area

Out & About

Braidwood, Nerriga, Mongarlowe, Araluen and Majors Creek offer you a unique opportunity to meander at your leisure through villages where Australian history has been made. Grand examples of 19th century buildings abound in Braidwood's main street, while 1950's workers' cottages are sprinkled throughout the side streets and in the surrounding villages. Follow the Tallaganda Heritage Trail to make the most of your visit.

Scenic drives refresh your soul and the Deua, Budawang, Morton, Monga and Tallaganda National Parks, offer the enthusiast an abundance of bush walks and picnic spots. Our beautiful pristine rivers are accessible for fishing, swimming and white-water rafting, and some of our country retreats offer horse riding as an extra activity.

It's the lucky visitor who arrives during one of the district's festivals or special events. Check the dates for The Braidwood Cup in February, the Braidwood Show in March, Music at the Creek and the award-winning Quilt Event and Open Gardens in November, as well as the many other special occasions that occur in the district.

Be active! Enjoy the outdoor adventure sports, with rugged mountain ranges, wild rivers, awesome forests and unlimited "off the beaten track" territory to explore.

Natural geographic attractions such as the Big Hole, Marble Arch, Bendethera and Wyanbene caves in the Deua National Park, the waterfall at Majors Creek, Oallen Ford near Nerriga, Mt Budawang in the Budawang National Park, and the rare fauna and flora in the Monga National Park, all beckon the visitor.

Perfect picnic spots abound on river banks, mountainsides and forest trails to provide welcome breaks as you bush walk, cycle, rock-climb, absail or canoe in the remoter and wilder areas of the district.

Or why not relax in luxurious surroundings at one of the many unique accommodation facilities in the area. Check the directory for accommodation, function, dining and recreational facilities.

It's all here - just come and enjoy!

Historic gardens are open at various times during the year. For further information, please contact the Braidwood Visitor Information Centre in Wallace Street,
p: 02 4842 1144

The Braidwood district was one of the first places in NSW where trout were released and they have really thrived in the numerous mountain streams and rivers throughout the district. Annual releases of fish are still made, and although thousands of rainbow trout and brook trout have been released, the brown trout, which were put into streams earlier, seem to be better suited. There are trout in practically every stream in the district, but the most popular are the Mongarlowe and Shoalhaven Rivers and the Jerrabatgulla Creek.

In the lower reaches of the Mongarlowe River, Black Macquarie perch are sometimes caught and it is a mystery to this day how this fish came to be there. In the Deua River below Araluen, people fish for the Australian bass. Needless to say, there are also eels caught throughout these streams and they are very good eating if prepared correctly.

In addition to the Tallaganda State Forest, the Shire has within its area the Monga and Tallaganda National Parks. Many stunning features of beauty may be seen in the Deua, Morton and Budawang National Parks.

The following picnic spots are provided for your enjoyment:

* Archer Bridge, on the outskirts of town on the Araluen Road
* Ryrie Park, Braidwood
* Bombay Bridge, Shoalhaven River, Bombay Road
* Farringdon Crossing, Captains Flat Road
* Oallen Ford, Oallen Road, Nerriga
* Endrick River, Nowra Road
* Warri Reserve, Canberra Road
* Majors Creek Recreation Ground
* Araluen Creek, Camping Reserve
* Araluen Creek, Neringla Road
* Mongarlowe River, Mongarlowe

In the interests of the enjoyment and safety of both you and others, your co-operation is appreciated in the observance of basic bush fire precautions, making use of garbage bins where provided and taking your rubbish away with you where there are none.

Barbeques should only be lit in properly constructed fireplaces at least 4½ metres from any logs or stumps and the surrounding ground should be cleared for 1½ metres.

During periods of adverse weather conditions, TOTAL FIRE BANS may be declared during which NO fires may be lit. The bush fire danger period normally extends from 1st October to 31st March.If you have any doubt, please enquire at the Council office or telephone the
Fire Control Officer
p:02 4842 2516