Picton, a small town in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, Australia, is part of the Wollondilly Shire and located about 90 kilometres southwest of the Sydney CBD. The town, established in 1841, has a rich history and a population of 4,816 as per the 2016 census.

European exploration of the area began in 1798, but it remained outside the limits of legal settlement until 1821. The construction of the Great South Road between Sydney and the Southern Highlands in 1819, authorized by Governor Macquarie, opened up the area for settlement. One of the early settlers was Henry Colden Antill, who established a 2,000-acre property in 1822. The development of Picton accelerated with the cutting of a new line of the Great South Road over the Razorback Range from Camden and the arrival of the railway in 1863.

Picton is unique in the Southern Hemisphere as it is the only town that one can pass through twice when travelling by train. The town was initially named Stonequarry in 1841 and later renamed Picton in 1845 in honor of Sir Thomas Picton, a British army officer. It remained a stop on the Great South Road, later the Hume Highway, until bypassed in 1980.

The town is home to several heritage-listed sites, including the Jarvisfield, Picton railway station, and the Stonequarry Creek railway viaduct. Picton is known for its historic buildings, such as the Victoria Bridge and the Picton Railway Viaduct, both crossing Stonequarry Creek. The town also offers ghost tours in some historic buildings and the disused railway tunnel on Redbank Range, known for paranormal activities. The George IV Inn in Picton, dating back to 1839, is one of Australia’s oldest hotel buildings.

Picton also includes the modern Nangarin Vineyard Estate, a residential vineyard project, and the Picton Botanical Gardens, established in 1986. The town’s climate is classified as humid subtropical, with hot summers and cool winters. Picton’s history, heritage, and community spirit make it a significant and charming part of the Macarthur region.