Wingecarribee Shire covers an area of 2 700 square kilometres. This area is known to tourists as the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. This Shire is an important catchment area for water supply to Sydney, Wollongong and the Northern Shoalhaven. Much of the Shire located at or above 640 metres above sea level. The main towns are Bowral, Moss Vale, Mittagong and Bundanoon. As well there are smaller villages like Hill Top, Yerrinbool, Colo Vale, Willow Vale, Aylmerton Braemar, Balaclava, Welby, Berrima, New Berrima, Exeter, Burrawang, Penrose, Wingello, Sutton Forest, Avoca, Fitzroy Falls and Balmoral Village. There are also a number of rural localities. The pattern of development is one of small towns and villages, separated by a semi rural landscape and from a Planning perspective, Council intends to retain this character for the Shire.