Balmoral

Balmoral offers several ways to explore its local history: a former railway station, a Victorian mansion and other railway-related places bring the area’s development to life. At the same time, the disused Balmoral Cemetery in a natural woodland setting and the community-use Village Hall shape the character of the place. History, landscape and community facilities are therefore central to planning your trip.

Railway history in real places

“Truro” at 37 Railway Parade is a Victorian brick mansion. It illustrates the development of the Balmoral area in the late 19th century following the construction of the first Southern Railway Line to Mittagong in 1867. The house faces the railway grounds of the Old Southern Railway Line, dating from 1867.

Balmoral’s former role on the railway is also part of this history: the place was once a railway station on the route of the Main Southern railway line. Another railway-related remnant is the late-Victorian timber-clad cottage at 27 Railway Parade. It is associated with the railway. Together, these different buildings and local connections show how strongly the railway features in Balmoral’s recorded development.

Woodland setting and local development

Balmoral Cemetery offers a different perspective. The disused cemetery is set in natural woodland; burials there also make it a distinctive historic place. It illustrates Balmoral’s development and the perceived need for a cemetery around the turn of the 20th century. Those interested in the history of a place will find a different perspective here than at the railway-related buildings: the focus is on burials, the cemetery and the woodland setting.

Community and further discoveries

Balmoral Village Hall adds community use of the place to these historical themes. Since its completion in 1939, it has been used by the wider community for all events. There is a playground on the Hall grounds—a practical point of interest for families who also want to consider places for children when choosing where to stay.

Loopline Pottery is located in the Old School, 5 Railway Parade, Balmoral Village, and was established in Balmoral Village in 1976. Its location and founding year give this name a place of its own in Balmoral’s history. Together with the cottage and “Truro”, it shows a variety of building types and historical connections without having to group them all into a single attraction.

Balmoral as a place to stay

When choosing a holiday apartment or house in Balmoral, you can consider which aspect of the place interests you most: its railway history, the cemetery’s woodland setting or community life around the Hall. For getting there and getting around, it is also useful to know that Balmoral is served on weekdays by NSW TrainLink bus services between Bowral and Picton. If you include the bus in your plans, bear in mind that the service operates on weekdays.

Other places to discover include Canyonleigh, Berrima, Werai, Bowral, Burrawang and Bundanoon.

For the broader travel overview: Wingecarribee Shire Council.