Kangaloon is a small rural village located in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies within the Wingecarribee Shire local government area, approximately 130 km southwest of Sydney and about 20 km east of Bowral. The village is situated near the confluence of the Kangaroo River and the Wollondilly River, in a valley characterized by rolling hills and agricultural land.
As of the 2021 Australian Census, Kangaloon had a population of 422 residents. The community is largely residential and agricultural, with many properties engaged in livestock grazing, dairy farming, and niche horticulture. The village contains a primary school (Kangaloon Public School), a community hall, a post office, and a small number of local businesses, including a general store and a café.
The name “Kangaloon” is believed to derive from an Aboriginal word, possibly meaning “place of the kangaroos” or “kangaroo clearing,” reflecting the area’s historical wildlife. European settlement in the region began in the early 19th century, with land grants awarded for pastoral use. The establishment of a school in 1885 marked the development of a more permanent community.
Kangaloon is accessible via the Braidwood Road (also known as the Kangaroo Valley–Braidwood route), connecting it to neighboring towns such as Bowral, Berrima, and Moss Vale. The locality is within commuting distance of the Southern Highlands’ larger centers, offering residents a blend of rural lifestyle with access to regional services.
The village is part of the state electoral district of Goulburn and the federal division of Hume. Its climate is classified as temperate, with warm summers and cool winters, and it receives moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Overall, Kangaloon is a modest, historically rooted settlement that contributes to the agricultural and residential character of the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
