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

Situated only 90 minutes from Canberra, the Southern Highlands is home to stunning countryside, great wineries, boutique shops, fascinating heritage sites and more.

From Mittagong to Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Burrawang, the region spans iconic Australian towns and landmarks, is packed with natural scenery to explore, and many businesses that are proud to be at the heart of the community.

Knitwear made with a passion for perfection

Berrima’s Natural Australia promotes the Australian Merino industry by showcasing the highest quality Merino knitwear in fashionable garments, says owner Angela Rodgers.

“Berrima’s Natural Australia was opened in 1995 by my parents,” she says.

“My parents were retired sheep graziers from south-west Queensland. In those days all garments in the shop were produced from Australian-grown Merino, and designed and made in Australia.”

Angela joined the business in 1996, excited by the qualities of Merino fibre and garments it created.

Berrima’s Natural Australia has a range of fine Merino knitwear, either made in Australia, NZ or Europe, and Merino, possum and silk garments and accessories from NZ, cashmere from Italy and the UK, and Australian cotton in summer, says Angela.

They also have a large range of accessories, Angela says, including wraps, scarves, socks, gloves, berets and beanies, tights, all made from merino or possum/merino.

“It is a very exciting experience to discover beautiful knitwear made with a passion for perfection and detail. My customers often comment that it is a pleasure to walk into the shop and see such beautiful quality garments, made totally with natural fibres.

“All items are made in ethically operated workshops who employ local staff. 

“Quality control is ensured.”

Berrima’s Natural Australia, 11 Old Hume Highway, Berrima. Call 4877 1598, or visit berrimawool.com

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 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

Family’s decades of pastry cooking

Gumnut Patisserie has been making pastries for the Southern Highland community since 1995, says owner Tracy Nickl. 

“We make everything in house and we distribute it to our stores here in the Southern Highlands, and have done for all that time,” he says. 

Tracy says although it has been close to 30 years since he opened Gumnut Patisserie with his wife Vicki Nickl, who is also a pastry chef, he has never lost the “warm, fuzzy feeling”, from opening the oven and seeing the perfect product.

“When people talk about pastry cooking or hospitality in general, they only see the bad things, where I only see the good things,” Tracy says.

“All the negative things like early starts and long hours and all those kinds of things just fade away when you focus on the joy of creation.”

It’s also a family affair, with all four of Tracy and Vicki’s children having worked at Gumnut Patisserie at some stage, with two staying on and making careers out of it. 

Gumnut Patisserie is in three locations, Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong, and while Bowral is probably the most well known location, Tracy says it is at their Mittagong store where all the production action happens.

Gumnut Patisserie Mittagong, Corner of Cavendish and Dalton streets, Mittagong, call 4872 2172; Gumnut Patisserie Bowral, Shop 7 Grand Arcade, Bong Bong Street, call 4862 2819 and Gumnut Patisserie Berrima, Shop 1, Post Office Corner, Hume Highway Berrima, call 4877 2177. Visit gumnutpatisserie.com.au

Lollies to share between generations

Lolly Swagman has been excitedly exploring new tastes for nearly three decades, says owner Ian Richardson.

Located in the heart of the Southern Highlands, the lolly shop stocks all-time favourite treats and the latest trending tastes from around the world.

“We’ve got American Reese’s, Hershey’s and candy corn, English bon bons and chocolates, sours and super sours, Dutch liquorice, Scottish tablet and our own Mrs Swag’s Fudge,” says Ian.

“We lost count at 1300 different treats and we know it’s more than that.”

Ian says sour is a popular taste at the moment, and they have a range of options, from the delightfully tangy to the tear jerking for adults. He says freeze dried lollies are also big right now, and they have a selection of all the best flavours, including watermelon.

Ian says the store is a common stop on people’s trip to Berrima.

“It’s a happy place with kids excitedly exploring for new tastes, older people reminiscing and sharing in the thrill of finding a favourite and the great stories that go with them,” he says.

“We often see people who’d come as children now bringing in their own children and sharing their experiences, which is lovely to be allowed to join in on. It’s nice to have that history.”

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

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