Sutton Forest, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sutton Forest New South Wales
Sutton Forest Country Store, 2023
Sutton Forest Location in New South Wales
Postcode(s)	2577
Elevation	661 m (2,169 ft)
Location	5 km (3 mi) W of Moss Vale 141 km (88 mi) SW of Sydney 61 km (38 mi) NE of Goulburn
LGA(s)	Wingecarribee Shire
Region	Southern Highlands
County	Camden
Parish	Sutton Forest
State electorate(s)	Goulburn
Federal Division(s)	Whitlam Hume
Localities around Sutton Forest: Belanglo Medway Berrima Canyonleigh Sutton Forest Moss Vale Marulan Bundanoon Exeter

Sutton Forest is a small village located in the Southern Highlands area of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Wingecarribee Shire and sits about 5 kilometres (3 miles) southwest of Moss Vale on the Illawarra Highway.

This area was one of the first places settled by Europeans in Australia, after Sydney. It has many old buildings and a feel that reminds people of an English village. This is because the Southern Highlands has a mild climate and gets plenty of rain.

Sutton Forest is surrounded by farms and vineyards. It is also home to large country houses and estates. The village itself has two churches, an inn, and two special shops.

In 2004, there was a plan to build a second airport for Sydney in Sutton Forest. However, local people strongly disagreed with this idea.

History of Sutton Forest

Sutton Forest was named in 1819 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He named it after Charles Manners-Sutton, 1st Viscount Canterbury, who was a speaker in the British House of Commons.

The land where Sutton Forest now stands was first given to Captain John Nicholson. He was a Navy Chief officer who had recently moved to Australia from Scotland. His private estate was very large, about 700 acres (283 hectares), and he lived there until he died.

Because it was one of the first places settled by Europeans outside Sydney, Sutton Forest has many important old buildings. One example is the Hillview Heritage Hotel, which was built in the 1850s. Another famous old building is Peppers Manor House, also known as Mount Broughton.

Population Facts

The number of people living in Sutton Forest has changed a little over the years.

• In 2016, a survey showed that 477 people lived in Sutton Forest. Most of them (81.2%) were born in Australia. Also, 88.4% of people spoke only English at home. The most common religions were Anglican (33.5%), Catholic (23.5%), and 22.0% said they had no religion.
• By 2021, another survey counted 504 people living in Sutton Forest.

Important Buildings

Sutton Forest is home to several important buildings, including its churches and a local school.

Churches

• All Saints' Anglican Church and Churchyard
• St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church and Churchyard

School

• Sutton Forest Public School

Heritage-Listed Sites

Some places in Sutton Forest are so important because of their history that they are listed as heritage sites. This means they are protected to keep their historical value. These sites include:

• Golden Vale Road: Golden Vale
• Old Illawarra Highway: Hillview
• 217 Oldbury Road: Whitley

Famous Residents

Some well-known people have chosen to live in Sutton Forest. For example, the famous actress Nicole Kidman and her husband, country music star Keith Urban, own a large property here. Their property is called Bunya Hill and is a 45-hectare (111-acre) estate that also operates as a cattle farm.