Mount Gibraltar

Mount Gibraltar, also known as Bowrell, is a ridge-shaped mountain in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia.

It is located between Bowral and Mittagong, with Berrima further west. The mountain has an elevation of 863 meters (2,831 ft) and is home to a large nature reserve at its peak.

The formation of Mount Gibraltar is believed to be the result of a collapsed volcanic core around 150 million years ago. It has historical significance, as explorer John Wilson was the first European to climb it in 1798. The mountain is part of the range that forms the watershed between the Wingecarribee/Wollondilly and Nattai rivers. The Mount Gibraltar Reserve, purchased by Alderman Joshua Stokes in 1919, is located on the peak and features a rare remnant of a volcanic soil community.

The peak of Mount Gibraltar offers three lookout points over Bowral and Mittagong and can be seen from Echo Point in Katoomba on a clear day. It is also home to telecommunications and broadcasting towers. The residential area of Mount Gibraltar is known for its high real estate prices in the Southern Highlands.

The former Mount Gibraltar Trachyte Quarries Complex is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. The Main South Railway passes through a tunnel under Evans Street in Bowral, skirting the western foothills of Mount Gibraltar. The tunnel was originally single-track but was replaced with a double-track tunnel in the 1920s.

Mount Gibraltar provides excellent trekking opportunities with its scenic landscape and diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy the mountain's natural beauty throughout the year.