Mittagong is a small town with a population of approximately 4000 in the Southern Highlands, New South Wales, Australia. Formerly on the Hume Highway that linked Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, when a bypass was constructed north of the town was thought to be the death sentence for the community. Instead the location has become a rest stop for drivers and a daytripper destination from Sydney (only one hour away). An antique retail industry is also present. The town lies between two hills (Mount Alexander and Mount Gibraltar), and a small lake (Lake Alexander) feeds into the nearby Nattai River. The Southern Highlands is a geographical area in New South Wales, Australia, southwest of Sydney. ... The Hume Highway (also known as the Hume Freeway) is one of the most important roads in Australia, linking the countrys two largest cities - Sydney and Melbourne. ... Sydney Harbour looking south from the vicinity of the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the CBD skyline; the Opera House is visible in the background on the left. ... Two of Canberras best-known landmarks, Parliament House and (foreground) Old Parliament House. ... Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia, with a population of 3,600,650 in the Melbourne metropolitan area (June 2004) and 61,670 in the City of Melbourne (which covers only the central city area). ... Sydney Harbour looking south from the vicinity of the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the CBD skyline; the Opera House is visible in the background on the left. ...