Why Mittagong is the new cultural and culinary star of the Southern Highlands

Mittagong is making waves as a foodie destination, outshining its traditionally better-patronised southern neighbour Bowral.

Fancy tucking into a wrap filled with shredded alpaca shoulder, pickled vegetables and fresh pecorino while you listen to some local musical talent? The Glass Cafe in Main Street has your afternoon covered.

On the weekend you might catch a performance of the Highlands Theatre Group at the Mittagong Playhouse, followed by tapas at Fire Drum.

The award-winning Shaggy Cow, headed by restaurateur Mark Wilson, does a popular house-smoked trout salad while those hunting down an early morning caffeine fix can pop into retro coffee shop and record bar Brewsters from 5am on weekdays.

“The cafe culture here is amazing and we’ve got great restaurants,” says Di Jones agent Kate McCullagh. “People from Bowral now come to Mittagong to eat.”

Culinary culture

Locally sourced eggs, milk and meats ensure that meals are authentically fresh at The Glass Cafe. Photo: Max Mason-Hubers

Owner of The Glass Cafe, Leanne Ferreira believes the town has the potential to become the food hub of the Southern Highlands.

“We’ve got some really good food establishments,” she says. “There are some very sophisticated culinary people living in the Highlands and Mittagong is attracting quite a few of them. It really is the place to stop now, with great variety, changing menus and lots of local produce.”

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Ferreira moved with her family from Sydney’s north shore in 2014, trading in her recruitment business for life behind the cafe counter, and she says she would never go back to the city.

“It’s been everything I hoped it would be – a slower pace of life, a five-minute drive to work every day, an amazing local community. It’s very different to other parts of the Southern Highlands. There are a lot of well-educated, very arty bohemians.”

Currently expanding The Glass Cafe kitchen, Ferreira says she grows much of the food on the menu herself and sources milk, eggs, alpaca and other meats locally.

Old-school vibes

Lake Alexandra Reserve in Mittagong, NSW. Photo: Supplied via Picasa

McCullagh was living in Bronte before she also made a tree change in 2014, buying a house she had long admired.

“I feel like I have nailed the spot and nailed the area,” she says. “With all the growth in the Southern Highlands, Mittagong is coming along in leaps and bounds. It’s always been known as the gateway to the Highlands because of its proximity to the highway, which is really appealing, but now the money has started coming in.”

McCullagh says Burradoo used to be top pick, but buyers are now starting to think about other towns.

“Mittagong is close to schools, close to the freeway, and has that old-school Southern Highlands feel that Sydneysiders love.”

Historical hand-over

Sir Edmund Barton once lived at 20-24 Southey Street, Mittagong. Photo: Supplied

Once the home of Australia’s first prime minister, Sir Edmund Barton, Wandevan is a character-filled 1880s homestead on 6341 square metres of established gardens.

It retains plenty of period features, including three-metre-wide return verandahs, herringbone ceilings, open fireplaces and a country-style kitchen with Aga slow combustion stove.

There’s a self-contained apartment at the back of the house, a wine cellar and an oversize garage/workshop.

Di Jones Real Estate Southern Highlands is marketing the home with a guide of $2.5 million.

See more of 20-24 Southey Street here