AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Brushy Hill is a 786-metre summit near the historic town of Braidwood in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, standing among the forested foothills that rise toward the Budawang Range.↗↗
This is not a marked tourist destination with formal trails — it is a quiet, lesser-known peak rewarding those who seek out the wilder corners of the Braidwood hinterland and the forests that lead toward the Budawangs.↗
The Peak and Its Setting
At 786 metres, Brushy Hill ranks among the higher summits in New South Wales yet remains largely off the bushwalking radar. No recorded ascents appear on peak-listing sites, which tells you something about its character: this is a destination for self-directed explorers who enjoy finding their own way through open forest and scrubland rather than following a signposted track.↗
The hill sits on the Braidwood 1:25,000 topographic map alongside features like Brushy Hill Creek, Monga State Forest, and the road corridor toward the Budawang Range. The landscape here is the transitional country between the rolling tablelands around Braidwood and the steep sandstone cliffs of the Budawangs to the east.↗
Getting There and the Braidwood Area
Braidwood itself is a superb base for a visit — a preserved gold-mining town with heritage-listed buildings, independent shops, and good food. The town sits roughly 70 km southwest of Canberra and is reached via the MONA Road from the Hume Highway at Breadalbane or via the Kings Highway from the coast.
From Braidwood, gravel roads lead south and east into Monga State Forest and toward Budawang National Park. The Budawang Range, one of NSW's great wilderness destinations, is about 30 minutes' drive away — Wog Wog campground on the Southern Forest Way is the most popular entry point for multi-day walks into the Budawangs.↗
Access to the Brushy Hill area itself would require navigating local fire trails and state forest roads. A topographic map (the Braidwood 1:25,000 sheet) is strongly recommended, as phone coverage is patchy and formal wayfinding is absent.↗
Why Visit?
Brushy Hill appeals to peak-baggers working through NSW summit lists, to those seeking solitude away from the more popular Budawang walks, and to anyone who enjoys exploring the forested hillsides around Braidwood with a map, a compass, and no guarantee of a track.↗
The summit offers views over the surrounding countryside — open woodland to the west, and the rising wall of the Budawang Range to the east. The area is known for kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and a variety of birdlife. After the 2019–2020 Currowan fires swept through this region, much of the understorey is regenerating, offering a different kind of beauty in the early stages of forest recovery.↗
Nearby Walks Worth Combining
If you're in the area, the Mount Budawang trail is the standout walk: a challenging Grade 4 hike through the southern precinct of Budawang National Park, gaining 430 metres through diverse forest to a summit with 360-degree views reaching as far as Braidwood's Mount Gillamatong. The trailhead is reached from Charleys Forest Road via Northangera Road and Budawang Road, about 30–40 minutes from Braidwood.↗
For something easier, the forests and fire trails around Monga State Forest between Braidwood and the Budawangs offer quiet driving and short walks without formal infrastructure.↗
What makes it special
786m summit near Braidwood in the Southern Tablelands foothills of the Budawang Range
A self-reliant peak for bushwalkers and peak-baggers rather than a marked tourist destination
Braidwood provides an excellent heritage-town base with good food and access to Budawang National Park
A little planning goes a long way
- Bring a 1:25,000 topographic map (Braidwood sheet 8827-2-S) — no formal trails or signage lead to the summit
- Mobile phone coverage is very patchy in this area; do not rely on GPS or online maps
- Carry water, sun protection, and sturdy boots; check weather and fire danger ratings before setting out
- Use Braidwood as your base — the town has cafés, shops, and accommodation, and is about 70 km from Canberra
About this guide
Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below; this is not a first-hand visit. Place details collected October 5, 2026. Hours, access and ratings can change; confirm with the venue before visiting.
