Living In Luxury

Stepping back to a grander, more elegant era is easy
with the region’s many historic mansions and country hotels.

Where’s a stylish, relaxed ambience to the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The region came to prominence in the late 19th century as a retreat for the landed gentry and many of their fine homes have been transformed into elegant country hotels and resorts.

With its clean air and cool weather, the Southern Highlands is a place like no other. It is easily accessed from Sydney, just 130 kilometres via a direct freeway link, while Canberra is only 170 kilometres south. Groups can take in the delightful village atmosphere of towns like Bowral, Berrima and Moss Vale, with Mittagong and Goulburn the largest settlements in the region.

Country gardens and historic attractions such as the Bradman Museum at Bowral, devoted to cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman, are just some of the more relaxed pursuits. Adventurers can go fly-fishing, caving, hiking or escape into the bush on 4WD expeditions. Golfing is also very popular with several excellent courses available.

SATISFIED CLIENTS

The Southern Highlands is a popular conference destination with Sydney based companies as well as those from Canberra. Organisations such as the ANZ Bank and the Department of Defence have mounted meetings there in recent times.

Part of the attraction has to do with many stylish, older establishments making a change from the characterless chrome and glass hotel meeting rooms found in the capital cities. The September annual conference of the Bed and Breakfast and Farmstay Association was seen as recognition of the region’s unique accommodation heritage.

Follow this link to find a >> conference venue in the Southern Highlands of NSW

The Milton Park Country House Hotel is getting an exciting new look in 2005. A new spa and fitness centre will include a full service gym while the spa, reminiscent of the finest French bath houses, will feature Pevonia products and offer an extensive range of massage, facials, body wraps and beauty treatments, steam rooms and luxury spa pool.
A development proposal for another 47 guestrooms and associated facilities of the new conference facility is currently under way. At the moment, Milton Park has 40 guestrooms and 7 suites, restaurants, banqueting rooms and extensive conference facilities. Conference rooms feature quality climate and lighting controls as well as good natural light. The rooms are ideally suitable for meetings of almost any size or type.

STYLE AND GLAMOUR

Dormie House, a graceful 1930s era country house in Moss Vale, is just such a place. It already enjoys a high occupancy with people testing their skills at the adjoining Moss Vale Golf Club, a 5,995 metre par 72 from the men’s tees. There is a meetings room for 30 people theatre style at Dormie; the card room can take another 20 people while 80 people can dine in the dining room. The Clubhouse has a meeting room for 60 people theatre style, with a refurbishment of facilities planned in the near future.

The Mercure Grand Hotel Bowral Heritage Park, long a favourite for medium sized conferences, has revamped its meetings menu. Concentrating on the very freshest local, organic and seasonal produce from throughout the Southern High-lands, breakfast in the splendid surrounds of the Heritage Restaurant represents a special start to the day with home baked bread, apple wood-smoked bacon, organic eggs, fruits and local cheeses.

Bishopthorpe Manor, the historic former residence of Goulburn’s first Church of England bishop, reopened in July after extensive renovations. Famed UK interior designer Chris Rigby has reimagined the 5 star boutique hotel’s interiors and guestrooms, many of which have spa baths and fireplaces, boasting Bulgari amenities. New York City-trained chef Jenn Dunn has created a new menu concen-trating on regional influences and a French touch. Bishopthorpe’s Chapel has meetings space for up to 80 people.