Lower Mittagong

Postcode: 2575

Lower Mittagong is a scattered village in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire. It is located east of Mittagong and south of Aylmerton. Lower Mittagong was previously known as Chalkers Flat and Nattai.

At 632 m above sea-level Mittagong is known as the 'Gateway to the Highlands'. It is located 110 km south-west of Sydney via the Hume Freeway in the Nattai River Valley between Mt Gibraltar, known locally as 'The Gib', and Mt Alexandra, both extinct volcanic peaks. It has a current population of around 6000.

The town's name is thought to derive from the Aboriginal word Marragon, the meaning of which is uncertain though 'little mountain', 'a companion', or even 'plenty of native dogs' have been suggested. The area was once occupied by the Dharawal Aborigines.

Coal mining began in the 1870s. Although the first venture failed the Nattai Coal Mining Company, established in 1883, were more successful. A large maltings plant was opened by Tooths breweries in 1899. BHP mined iron ore at Mittagong during World War II. Today Mittagong's economy hinges upon dairying, fruit and vegetables, cattle, sheep and poultry, coal mining, saw milling and steel fabrication.

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