“CityNews” takes a trip to the Southern Highlands to speak with some of the stunning region’s proud businesses.

JUST over 90 minutes from Canberra, the Southern Highlands is home to stunning countryside, great wineries, fascinating heritage sites and more.

From Mittagong to Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Burrawang, the region spans iconic Australian towns and landmarks and features a rich history.

Many people know that Bowral was the home of legendary cricketer Don Bradman, but it is also widely considered to be the “birthplace” of Mary Poppins.

Famous author PL Travers first came up with the idea for the iconic character as a young girl while living there.

That’s just the start. The Highlands is packed with stunning natural scenery to explore, museums where visitors can discover the region’s  history and on top of it all, many businesses that are proud to be at the heart of the community.

This week “CityNews” took a trip to the Southern Highlands to speak with some of them.

‘Gorgeous’ variety of accommodation

HOST Partners manages a total of 33 properties, says Director Fiona Deegan, with two newer properties becoming very popular as winter hits.

“The first property is called Hollydale, it’s in Burradoo,” says Fiona.

“It’s a really beautiful home, very contemporary. The kitchen is gorgeous, super clean lines and it’s located at the end of a long driveway so it’s very private.

“It’s a four-bedroom, two-bathroom place. It has a media room, which is a good separate room for kids. It’s got cypress trees hedged gorgeously, so it’s just a really stunning home,” says Fiona.

“Being smack-bang in the middle of Bowral is good, but it can be a little busy and there’s lots of people there all the time, so to book something like Hollydale, private and quiet, it’s quite nice. It’s about $1200 a night.”

Property number two is called Quarry Hill Cottage.

“This little one in Berrima is gorgeous. It’s $410 a night,” says Fiona.

“It’s super cute, it’s minimalistic and beautifully renovated, just a gorgeous-looking, modern little cottage.

“It’s three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a minute from the main street in Berrima, so close to cafes and restaurants,” says Fiona.

“We’re two hours from Canberra. I always think of it as an hour to Goulburn and an hour to your destination.”

Host Partners. Call Fiona on 0408 415775 or Georgia on 0477 720225, or visit hostpartners.com.au

Decor for a homely feel

THAT Beautiful Shop, in Moss Vale, offers a full upholstery service, says owner Virginia Ransom.

The shop also sells curtains and blinds, couches, sofas and armchairs, rugs and lamps, custom bed-heads, wallpaper and pre-loved chairs that have been reupholstered.

Virginia says she’s not an interior designer: “I don’t pretend to be. My point of difference is I offer all of this stock, but I’m not going to go to your house and tell you what to get rid of.

“We offer all types of upholstery and curtain fabrics, and lots of wallpaper designs.

“My priority is to satisfy the client’s individual needs, to make sure they get exactly what they want.

“We offer servicing to clients from Sydney, to the coast, and to Canberra.”

And, Virginia says she hopes the store is busy.

“I like meeting the people, and helping them turn their house into a home.”

That Beautiful Shop, 406 Argyle Street, Moss Vale. Call 4868 1234.

Agents helping to achieve ‘tree-change’ dreams

THE team at Campbell Jones Property is known for its community spirit and reputation of integrity, says director Angus Campbell-Jones.

With decades of experience and thousands of property transactions, Angus asks, what better agency is there to trust with one of life’s biggest investments?

Campbell Jones Property is home to real estate agents, stock and station agents and property managers who specialise in rural, residential, commercial, industrial and vacant land development.

Angus says he’s no newcomer to the real estate industry in the Southern Highlands, and has been selling properties in the area for more than 30 years.

“Bowral is centrally located between Canberra and Sydney, and offers a sophisticated yet relaxed country lifestyle that is supported by excellent schooling options and medical facilities,” he says.

“A move to the Highlands has always been the smart ‘tree-change’ choice.”

Campbell Jones Property, shop 3/252 Bong Bong Street, Bowral. Call 02 4861 2550, or visit cjpbowral.com.au

Helping find a home in the Highlands

HAVING lived in and loved the Southern Highlands for more than a decade, independent buyers agent and director of Highlands Arrivals Suzi Bryant says she’s passionate about helping people find homes that are perfect for them.

“I do all the searching, talking to agents, looking at properties on-market and off-market and I can negotiate on your behalf and get the best price,” she says.

“Some people need advice on schools, other people want to know about yoga, other people want to know about golf clubs. I help with whatever it is you’re looking for.”

Suzi says Highlands Arrivals is proud to be the only REBAA member in the Southern Highlands, meaning the business is completely independent and never acts for sellers or accepts kickbacks from them.

With more than 20 years’ experience in sales, she says she’s established a strong network with all agents in the community.

“I can work with you the whole way through the purchase of your home,” she says.

“I can help with visiting and reporting on all potential properties, negotiations for a property you have already found, preparing a suitable property list to match your exact needs, advising on towns, locations and activities, bidding at auction, or helping with post-purchase work with your property.”

Having moved to the Highlands herself with her own family in what she describes as the “best move ever”, it inspired Suzi to want to help others find their dream home.

“Whether you’ve retired, you’re working, you’ve got kids, the Highlands is such a strong small town community, that’s what I love about it,” she says.

Highlands Arrivals, call 0414 679259 or visit highlandsarrivals.com.au

Traditional Pantry moves with the times

MRS Oldbuck’s Pantry is a 46-year-old business, says owner Carol Brown, who brought it “kicking and screaming” into the 21st century when she purchased it four years ago.

“The main thing is we work on tradition, we do old, traditional styles of jam, including pineapple, melon and lemon and tomato,” says Carol.

“Also we use no artificial flavours or colours.”

When she bought the business, she increased the range ‘massively’.

“Forty years ago there weren’t simmer sauces and flavoured caramelised balsamic vinegars, so now we work with lots of different small producers throughout the state,” says Carol.

“Two years ago we extended into the shop next door, and that’s where we’ve opened our tea room.
We retail over 190 different varieties of tea and we sell tea accessories.”

She says her passion for the business comes from her childhood. “I used to come with my parents. We used to live in Sydney and this was our stop in the days when it used to take five and a half hours to get from Sydney to Canberra. Berrima was the halfway stop.

“Little did I know, 40 odd years later, I’d be living in the Southern Highlands and I’d buy Mrs Oldbuck’s.”

Carol says most of the people who come through are happy. Everyone loves food and the store just has a beautiful feel about it.”

Mrs Oldbuck’s Pantry, shop 4, 15/17 Old Hume Highway, Berrima. Call 1800 440 1444, or visit mrsoldbuckspantry.com.au

Lollies to share between generations

IAN Richardson, one of the lolly swagfolk at the Lolly Swagman, bought the business eight years ago.

“It’s what we call an old-fashioned lolly shop, so we have the jars of lollies sitting on the wall and there’s a table in the middle with all the packaged lollies laid out,” says Ian.

“There’s probably about 200 bottles on the wall, and we stopped counting product lines at 1300 because we just lost count, and of that probably 300 would be staples.

“They are the favourites that you know, and the ones you have yet to meet.”

Ian says he grew up with lollies, which has given him knowledge of each of the lollies, and the stories behind them.

“One of the reasons we were allowed to buy the shop is because of how much time and money I’ve spent in it over the years,” he says.

“People share those stories with us, too. People still come looking for the lollies that they knew when they were children.

“And by the way, children in our world is a very non-age specific label.”

Ian says he loves seeing generational links coming into the shop.

“We have people who were brought in when they were little kids, and they’re now bringing their own children in and sharing those memories with them, and grandparents bringing their grandkids.

Lolly Swagman, 11 Old Hume Highway, Berrima. Call 4877 1137, or visit lollyswagman.com.au

A home away from home in the Highlands

OFFERING boutique accommodation and business meeting space in the Southern Highlands, The JOYce Residence offers guests the chance to relax and indulge or meet and explore, says owner Angela Macpherson.

“The residence has two queen bedrooms with their own bathrooms. It comes with wi-fi, and features a light and airy space where up to 10 people can comfortably meet,” she says.

“We’re located in a very quiet residential area in Moss Vale that’s only a four-minute drive to the nearest coffee shop and a six-minute drive to the main shopping area.

“Moss Vale is centrally located [to] all the vineyards. There’s beautiful restaurants nearby and it’s very close to some incredible scenery and bush walks.”

Angela says the residence is not only perfect for a holiday getaway, but also for corporate meetings, board meetings, strategy sessions and everything in between.

“It gives that clean, open-air feel of a meeting room and is very interchangeable,” she says.

“I can access a range of facilities like smart boards, white boards, a flip chart, even a projector and screen.”

Along with the concierge service is the ability for Anglea to arrange all the conference meeting equipment and any catering as required.

“Guests can also use an internal garage space that can fit a car, four road bicycles or a couple of mountain bikes so you can come and work here and exercise at the same time,” she says.

“One of the most wonderful pieces of feedback I get is that it feels like home.”

The JOYce Residence, visit thejoyceresidence.com.au

European-style clothing store in the heart of the Highlands

OWNER of Quintessential Exeter Rachael Norman has curated a “colourful and vibrant selection of clothing and shoes” that she says has made her store a delightful destination to visit.

“Located in a beautifully restored 1850s railway workers cottage and situated opposite the renowned Exeter General Store and Cafe, you will be immediately struck by the lively colours of our selections,” she says.

“I hope to give people an enjoyable shopping experience in the quaint atmosphere of a beautiful country village.”

The store offers a collection of European and American women’s fashion, inspired by Rachael’s visits to Europe where she says many small boutiques carry unique styles and offer personalised shopping experiences.

From dresses to pants, shirts, jumpers, shoes and scarfs, Rachael says these stylish items are all about her passion for helping people feel good in their clothes.

“I enjoy talking to my customers about their taste in clothes and helping them select items that they will feel really good in,” she says.

“It’s a relaxed environment, where my customers can take their time, have a chat and a giggle, and walk out feeling happy.”

The location, the cottage, the clothes and the caring and attentive service all make the visit to Quintessential Exeter a must for anyone visiting the Highlands, says Rachael.

“The store also offers homewares, cushions, lamps, local art and lots of pretty things to brighten up your living space.”

Quintessential Exeter, 2 Exeter Road, Exeter. Call 0412 624222.

Stefano shares his love of Italian food

NO matter your experience, Stefano Marvello says absolutely everyone can get something out of his Italian cooking classes.

The well-known Southern Highlands chef has been cooking since he was five-years-old, and by 12 was confidently cooking the family meals.

Today located in Bowral, Stefano brings his passion and skill to two types of classes.

“There’s Pasta Master, which is two handmade kinds of pasta, and two matching sauces, which are all seasonal,” he says.

“There’s also the Italian Long Lunch, with three courses including, pasta making, entree, main and dessert.

“Both come with complimentary bread making, antipasto, and local wine tasting and go from four to four and a half hours.”

Stefano says that classes have a maximum of 12 people so that he has plenty of time to ensure everyone gets the experience they are after.

He says that fresh, seasonal produce is a key passion in his cooking that he loves to share with others.

“Mother nature does all of the hard work, I just have to put it together.”

Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello. Visit stefanomarvello.com